Primary initial work will focus on students in grades 6-8
Josiah McKeon, known as “Jo,” of Sweethearts & Heroes has an important mission this school year: to help strengthen the sense of community among students at Duanesburg Jr.-Sr. High School. McKeon will visit the school weekly throughout the year as part of their to engage students in meaningful community-building activities, with work primarily focused on students in grades 6-8.
Working closely with Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Jodi Marvin and counselors Kristina Goebel and Josh Moeckl, McKeon is thoughtfully implementing Sweethearts & Heroes’ student empowerment curriculum, which focuses on combating hopelessness and inspiring action among today’s youth.
“Our entire student body at the Jr.-Sr. High School was introduced to Sweethearts & Heroes last year, with an introductory assembly from founder Tom Murphy and co-founder Rick Yarosh,” Marvin said. “This kind of work isn’t done with just one assembly, however. It takes time. We were fortunate enough to be able to enlist their support throughout this school year, allowing us to build on last year’s foundation and make this work a meaningful, ongoing part of our school community.”
McKeon’s first two months of this school year have focused on getting to know the district, its students, staff and community, and getting a better idea of where the district is starting from and where they want to go. So far, he said he has been pleasantly surprised by how open the students have been, noting their willingness to say hello in the hallways and strike up conversations.
Every week, McKeon alternates in joining classes taught by Sean Rickert and Colleen Niminski to ensure he connects with every student in grades 6-8. During these visits, he leads SMART Circles, which draw on the principles of ancient talking circles and the science behind how humans build trust and relationships.
Participants sit in a circle and take turns speaking and listening, emphasizing respect and listening without judgment.
“Circles are about being human and providing students an opportunity to take in each other’s perspectives,” McKeon explained. “They don’t have to agree with other people’s perspectives. But they do have to listen to better understand where the person talking is coming from.”
Students follow four guidelines when participating in Circles to help create an environment where students can share their thoughts, listen to their peers and practice understanding different perspectives:
- You can’t speak unless you’re holding the talking piece.
- The talking piece must continue to be passed around the circle.
- You can pass if you want to.
- Whatever is said in Circles, stays in Circles.
“Empathy in this world has just about been cut in half,” McKeon said. “Circles provide students with the opportunity to work on empathetic fitness. A lot of times after building empathy and strengthening relationships, it empowers students to show concern and compassion for each other – which is the ultimate goal.”
Why Start with Students in Grades 6-8?
The decision to have the Sweethearts and Heroes residency work focus on students in grades 6-8 was a purposeful one.
“When you’re in grades 6-8, it can be some of the most challenging years of a human’s life,” McKeon said. “Children are dealing with a lot of different issues and can end up making decisions that are self-destructive.”
Mrs. Marvin is also prioritizing helping younger students develop the skills they need to become effective leaders in the school community.
“In another two to three years, these students will be the older student leaders in our district. We’re investing in them now, to equip them with the skills they will need to become confident leaders and positive role models when they reach their sophomore, junior and senior years,” she said.
McKeon echoed Mrs. Marvin’s sentiments in explaining that these students have the ability to become gatekeepers of their school community. A “gatekeeper,” according to McKeon, is a person who “helps create a safe and supportive environment by deciding what behavior is acceptable, being a role model, and stepping in when someone is being bullied, excluded, or treated poorly.”
Learn More About Jo:
Jo is originally from Williamsport, PA (home to the Little League World Series). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering and holds certification as an EMT. One of his favorite jobs was when he worked as an ocean lifeguard at Emerald Isle in coastal North Carolina.
Jo and his wife moved to the Hartwick, NY area a few years ago to help take care of his grandparents. He and his wife have two children, a three-year old son and a 1 ½ year-old daughter who he says is “slowly stealing his heart.”
Jo has been with Sweethearts & Heroes for 2 ½ years and says it is perhaps his favorite job, and certainly the most rewarding.
He is embedded into three other local school districts this year including Salem Central School District (CSD), Oppenheim-Ephrata-St. Johnsville CSD, and Dolgeville CSD.