Ben Franklin Peer Leaders
The peer leader program at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Lawrenceville, NJ provides a unique experience for third grade students and students with special needs. Through a reverse integration model, the selected third grade students enter the self-contained special education classes once per week. The students are paired together, given a specific focus for the visit, and observed by the teachers. Activities may include modeling appropriate eating during snack time, playing gross motor and hand games, singing songs, or playing with action figures or dolls. During each visit, teachers provide the peer leaders with feedback and strategies to best work with the students. The peer leaders are taught “No Labeling” and learn empathy, sensitivity, and respect for others. The culminating event for the program is a school-wide performance by the peer leaders and students with special needs. Specially made t-shirts by the peer leaders and students with special needs truly show the impact this experience has had on them. The school administration awards the students with a certificate and a celebratory luncheon, where the students reflect on the highs and lows of their experience. To continually improve the program, students and teachers complete a survey about their experience.