SPARK: Developing a Preservice Teacher Program With an At-Risk Youth Intervention Program Component

• In Event: Holistic Education in the Era of the Common Core’s More Complex Learning Agenda: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Looking at the research, interviewing judges, attorneys, and directors of Department Juvenile Justice, it is evident that many of our youth are not faring well. SPARK is an intervention program designed to provide an alternative intervention for youth ages 12 to 18 who have found themselves in trouble with law enforcement. These youth are brought weekly for 2 hours to the university where they meet with a group of per-service teachers. Students not only learn how to communicate and connect with troubled youth, but they also ignite a spark in these youth. The per-service teachers learn about themselves and how to relate and form meaningful relationships with students who come from toxic, chaotic environments and have dropped out of school.

Author

• Thomas Allen Peterson, The University of West Georgia