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TALKS program enters Greencastle High School
Transferring A Little Knowledge Systematically (TALKS) is a mentoring program that has entered Greencastle High School this year after several years of success at Greencastle Middle School.
High School Principal Russ Hesler is happy to be integrating the program at a high school level.
"Kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care," Hesler said regarding the progress and relationships that grow between students and mentors.
The focus of the program is to teach students how to meet people, the importance of self-discipline, positive attitudes, politeness, finding positive examples to live by and generally improving a young person's ability to engage in the world around them.
"Students feel more comfortable dealing with bullies, approaching teachers for help and they feel a greater connection to the school," Coordinator John Savage said of the students' personal growth while participating in the program.
While only in its fourth week at GHS, mentor Karrie Fulford can already see progress.
"I think there has been a big difference," she said of the last mont.
The program assigns three students to one mentor to meet and discuss a wide array of character development skills and practices for one hour per week.
In April of 2012, Gobin United Methodist Church was interested in supporting a mission program. The community responded by voicing an interest in a mentoring program, learning of TALKS from a church member who was participating in the program in Rockville.
The program began at Greencastle Middle School thatyear, growing from six mentors and 20 students to 14 mentors and 33 students between 2012 and 2014.
With the success of TALKS at GMS, superintendent Dawn Puckett asked that the program be brought to the high school, Principal Hesler seconded the idea. There are currently 22 mentors and 44 students who meet Wednesday mornings during first period at GHS, boys meet in the cafeteria and girls meet in the gymnasium.
The program at GMS differs from the high school curriculum in the issues addressed and that it utilizes DePauw students as mentors as opposed to non-student community members at GHS.
And the program isn't just beneficial to the students, mentors also say that they've visited and discovered parts of themselves that they hadn't thought about.
"It's kind of a two-way street, we've (the mentors) grown a lot too," said mentor Carol Miller.
"It really digs deep," agreed mentor Sara Deal.
The prevailing attitude among staff and mentors is that students are able to gain a lot from the program, and that any young person would have an advantage in their lives from involvement in TALKS.
"If I'd had the opportunity to learn what these kids learn in TALKS it would have been a great benefit," Savage said about the knowledge and experiences gained from the program.
Relationships between students have already improved, providing young persons with common grounds that may not have been realized outside of the TALKS meetings.
"I've seen friendships open up between the girls," Deal said.
The students seem interested in talking to each other as well as the adults in the room.
"I think the girls are very open to talking," mentor Kelly Perkins said.
TALKS is supported by community donations and volunteers from Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, DePauw Community Service, DePauw Bonner Scholars, Putnam County Foundation, Greencastle Christian Church, Walmart Distribution Facility, Methodist Bishop's Children Fund and Gobin United Methodist Church.
Persons interested in assisting the program in any way may contact John Savage via email at johnsavage2004@comcast.net or by calling 658-6010 to speak with Gobin United Methodist Church.