From Director’s Cut to Kalikot (part one)
Abbey Banta '19'
I spend most of my days listening. Listening to where things went wrong, what shattered someone’s self-esteem; why they don’t have the motivation to invest in themselves; how they want to get out and be better; how an elementary teacher told them something they would never forget; how they can’t stop using; how they want the pain to stop; how they wish things were different; what they dream about; and how they see the world.
My primary responsibility as the Dean of Students at an alternative high school is to listen. Listen to understand. Listen to inform. Listen to act strategically.
I have worked with high-risk youth in the Southern Colorado region for the past ten years. The students I work with require things to be done differently as conventional methods have failed them, and they, too, have failed to comply with them. I recently took on the role of Dean of Students and wanted to do things differently. I created an advocacy program that addresses academic disengagement and disciplinary infractions in a restorative, individualized, and solution focused way. Families and students alike are typically caught off guard when we offer resources instead of reprimand, and curiosity instead of judgment. We piloted the program school-wide last year and so far, we are seeing positive results.
I took some of my students to last year’s Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival to complete a community project. One of the films we watched, Catherine’s Garden, is about a woman from Australia named Kaye Cleave who tragically lost her daughter. She wanted to do something in her daughter’s honor and through the powers of the universe (or god or whatever force it is that brings people together in unexpected and serendipitous ways), Kaye met Prakash, who grew up in a remote Nepalese village.
Prakash experienced the loss of his parents as a teenager. Being the incredible human that he is, Prakash did not let the many misfortunes of his life hold him back. After moving to the U.S. to complete his undergraduate degree and then on to London to earn his master’s degree, Prakash returned home to extend his mission beyond his own skin and bones. His goal was to build ten schools throughout rural Nepal to enable kids just like him to pursue the liberation and transformation that education affords.
My co-worker and I approached Kaye Cleave, who happened to be in the audience after the films were over. We simply asked her if the schools could use any help. She said yes. This was the beginning of a chain reaction that would change my life and alter my perspective forever.
Stay tuned for our next goWEST to learn more from Abbey’s educational journey.