Beyond serving as the freshmen cheer coach and Maverick Leadership teacher, Erin Livingston looks forward to bringing her contribution as a PALS teacher. PALS Student Ambassadors travel to elementary schools and mentor them once a week by having a talk, playing games, and providing them with positive role models to look up to. PALS has also been involved in Red Ribbon Week and has been busy planning spirit days and lesson plans for the awareness week. Livingston’s leadership in the program has been the main reason for their early involvement in helping students on and off campus.

This program leadership not only brought Livingston several moments of joy but also allowed her to see how the students were able to go out of their comfort zones through PALS.

“To see my students meet up with little first graders or fourth graders and just start to connect, smile, and talk to each other has been the most enjoyable,” Livingston said. “People who were really timid and shy–I watched them today warm up.”

Her joy of seeing connections being made in particular came from her past experiences of teaching leadership classes that focused mainly on connections. Livingston’s passion for teaching leadership classes has been a driving force throughout her career and was a catalyst to assume the role of the PALS teacher.

“I’ve been fortunate enough for many years to be in a leadership class for students who want to be there … with young leaders. So, I very much wanted to be in a position where kids want to be there doing what they’re doing, and where I get to help people grow their own leadership,” Livingston said. “So, I’m super happy in PALS with people … who wanted to be there.”

With those students who enjoy what they do, Livingston has been tasked to plan for Red Ribbon Week activities and create more for both the students here on campus and those not on it.

“For almost the last month, they’ve been making lessons to send down to elementary schools. … Then, we’ve been making dress-up days, a couple of lessons, and videos for our Red Ribbon Week. … I think the most fun I would say came from making lessons to send down to the elementary schools,” Livingston said.

Livingston’s love for project-based learning has stemmed from the joy of seeing her own students take part in projects and how they apply them in a real sense.

“I love that we’re at a project-based school because everyone in PALS and leadership is doing real projects that really impact our school and our community. And that’s my favorite part,” Livingston said.

As the new PALS teacher, Livingston has already taken major steps in making the program grow in various ways. Her passion and devotion will continue to bring new potential and influence to her students and the school community throughout this year.