Each year, the Riverside County Board of Education invites Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) staff to apply for a Unique Projects Grant. These grants promote the creation of forward-thinking programs to enhance and expand organizational programs and services.
One of five Unique Projects Grants that was awarded, the Student Transformation Program, takes a unique approach to addressing students' academic and personal needs in RCOE’s alternative education programs.
This program stands apart from others because it is a school-wide program for all students who enroll at Betty G. Gibbel Regional Learning Center (RLC) in San Jacinto.
According to Betty G. Gibbel RLC Principal, Dr. Luquanda Hawkins, the purpose of the program is to meet the students where they are, support them, and lead them to success—which has included returning 50 students back to their home districts, each semester, as changed people.
The program features various student engagement strategies like Transformation Mondays, one-on-one personal growth sessions, establishing staff as role models and mentors, and celebrating the successes of students in their journeys.
Transformation Mondays are small meetings students attend weekly. Each session has different speakers who have similar backgrounds as the students and share hardships of their experience. Each speaker shares how they overcame their struggles and offers advice to the students.
One student noted the impact of these speakers: “The speakers have helped by making me confident in doing my work and creating a safe space to ask questions.” The student also shared about a specific connection, “I strongly believe I have connected most with Ms. R in B2. She made me comfortable enough to ask questions and believe in myself. She is very inspiring and is great to have around.”
The Student Transformation Program involves the whole staff of the Betty G. Gibbel RLC. They all received training to handle and guide students through their struggles and are constantly receiving new information and tools to help their students succeed.
The success of this whole staff model is reflected through one student’s comment: “Someone I connected to would have been security and the principal. They gave me good advice and encouraged me to do better. I learned that sometimes you make mistakes, but you can learn from them. I got really good advice and respect Betty Gibbel for that.”
While reflecting on their overall experience, a student shared, “I think this school is good for any student who is facing struggles in any way. I strongly believe this school helped me find my place and helped me understand how to focus more. I believe I am a better person than what I was before I came here.”
The Student Transformation Program encourages the whole campus to elevate students as scholars, as well as enhancing their engagement with others. This program is not only transforming the lives of the students but is also creating a community of trust and encouragement.
