9th grade is a year of transition. A new morning routine, new school, new teachers. Old friends, new friends, lots of changes all at once. The days feel different, 9th graders are . . . somehow more adult.
They ask questions about their future and direction for the first time. “What do I want to learn?” “What are my goals?” “Who makes me, well, “me”?”
And at the same time, they are overwhelmed with what’s happening right in front of them now—a test, a game, the family, work, sleep, and the ever present phone.
That’s a lot to hold for a 14–15 year old.
We’re grateful to have a strong and growing partnership with GW Carver Engineering and Science and with the support from a generous funder who is invested in improving school outcomes. Principal Dr. Darryl Johnson and Assistant Principal Elizabeth Curry are very involved—not just in the day-to-day of the building, but in each student’s overall wellbeing. That care is shared across their broader team of educators. Every two weeks, their administration team and Inner Strength meet together to reflect on student progress or issues, collaborate and coordinate supports, and create new ways to deepen our impact, touching more students more deeply.
Most recently, our collaboration centered around a retreat for the entire 9th grade class for 210 students.
This year, we hosted the retreat on Carver’s campus, supported by two of our instructors and our board member Ginny Doerr. It worked beautifully. Being on campus in a different way showed students they can experience pause and renewal without needing to go anywhere else. It can happen right where you are.
Christina Smith, our dedicated instructor and incredible logistics lead, put so much care into preparing individual activity bags for our mystery objects sensory activity and small gifts for each and every student. When she arrived after school with her car full of supplies, a group of students were gathered in the courtyard. We invited them to help.
Usually, you expect teens to shrug their shoulders and utter an indeterminate monosyllabic response. These students didn’t just say yes, they jumped in, had good ideas since they know the school, and in no time we were set up.
They freely shared about their experiences at school, what they learned from their classes with our instructor Jazman Dobson. It was such a happy time. There was a real sense of community. The informal time stayed with me, almost as much as the retreat itself.
During the retreat, students practiced breathwork, explored mindful eating, and unpacked what having a discovery mindset means. They tested their imagination with nature objects, made art. Most importantly, they articulated the connection between curiosity and openness and a sense of satisfaction, self-confidence, positive pride, and happiness.
We closed with a love & kindness meditation. You could feel the care in the room.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be happy.
May you be loved.
