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Feature
Article
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Tyl's Tiggers Keep Bouncing Ahead
By Stefanie Hall
Teacher/Club Advisor Tyl Middle School
TEAM TIGGER, the resiliency club at Tyl Middle School,
Montville, Connecticut, is thriving in its second year of existence. Resiliency is recognized to define
the ability of people to bounce back from challenges. Combining the asset goals of the Search Institute
and the explicit recognition of positive character, TEAM TIGGER is providing student leadership
and role model opportunities for resilient living. "In this time in my life, this club is the best place for
me to be," shared Anthony, a 7th grade boy.
The Resiliency Initiative at Tyl Middle School continues to grow as new programs are being
implemented and existing ones improved. One of the main factors responsible for the success
of the program is the children's commitment to and involvement in the planning and implementing
of productive activities. Student members of the TEAM TIGGER Board of Directors and students
involved in the Service-Learning Committee are taking the responsibility to provide positive
leadership for their peers. These student-led initiatives help cultivate youth assets which are factors
the Search Institute has described to promote successful or resilient living. Some of the 40 assets
described by Search include— positive adult relationships, caring school climate, youth involved in
service, the establishment of clear rules and consequences and the cultivation of positive values such
as honesty, responsibility and respect. These last values are widely recognized as core elements of
modern character education.
TEAM TIGGER is an after-school club which focuses on activities that nurture youth assets.
TEAM TIGGER provides meaningful participation for all of its members as the youth gather
for weekly meetings. As trust and cooperation are developed, the members learn in a safe and
fun environment. After each game or activity, a debriefing session takes place. The discussion helps
the children process and focus on the assets that were needed for the successful accomplishment
of the task that day.
The Student Board of Directors meet monthly to set policy, establish rules and set the agenda for
the following month. With guidance from the adult advisors, the directors run the meetings and conduct
the debriefing sessions. Megan, a 7th grade member of the TIGGER Board of Directors said, "We want to
help make Tyl a positive and nice place to be."
All students are welcome to join TEAM TIGGER. Reputations and past mistakes are left behind as
students work side by side with positive peer role models to accomplish tasks and activities set up as group
challenges. We play, we learn, we trust, as youth and adults work together to gain strategies for "bouncing back"
with TEAM TIGGER.
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