The program was designed as a response to the positive feedback and interest expressed by educators, who had incorporated the BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS program into their work.
The BASE program consists of an elaborated methodology, based on solid theoretic background, including didactic workshop materials (working sheets, questionnaires and exercises), practical suggestions, evaluation methods (Student’s Self-Esteem Evaluation, Staff Self-Esteem Inventory, teacher’s reports, students and teachers questionnaires) and an effective implementation model.
The purpose of the BASE program is to strengthen the key elements for healthy personal development among students by implementing the program on school wide basis. This way we aim to contribute to better motivation, increased personal and social responsibility, sense of purpose and academic success among school-youth, followed by their interest in lifelong learning and active participation in democratic processes.
Specific objectives of the program apply to the following target groups
1. The first objective is to train teachers in schools in the field of self-esteem. The school staff is involved in continuing personal development training, as only teachers with healthy self-esteem are able to support the self-esteem among their students.
2. The second objective is to train teachers to implement the BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM program with students in the classroom and thus systematically improve the level of self-esteem among youth. This objective will be achieved by developing the five elements that young people need for healthy personal development and are the basis of the program: feelings of security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence.
3. Parents are also included in the program; through lectures and workshops they are informed about the program and activities taking place at school, with the intention to assure their support and obtain synergetic results.
4. The project includes collecting and analysing data on the level of students’ self-esteem and increasing the awareness of its importance.
Objectives for Students
- Increase motivation, responsibility and a sense of purpose among youth
- Increase student’s ability for making healthy and productive decisions
- Improve relations among peers in schools and within families
- Reduce the number of students at-risk
- Prevent drug and alcohol abuse
- Increase the level of tolerance and respect
- Decrease violence in schools and local communities
- Improve academic achievement
- Improve the school climate and interpersonal relationships among staff
- Improve cooperation among school and parents
- Decrease social problems on a long-term basis
- Increase the number of successful individuals in communities
Objectives for Teachers
- create a supportive learning environment
- motivate students & staff for high performance
- support teachers’ authority & self-esteem
- develop students’ self-esteem
- include and train parents
- deal with difficult students
- support children at risk
- establish discipline & cooperation
- improve relationship among teachers and students
- improve the school climate
- motivate students
- establish rules & stimulate respectful behaviour
- set boundaries & support healthy communication