Guidance study pays off for students

When Christin Occhipinti transferred from the journalism program at University of Maryland to pursue a communications degree at College of Charleston, she had no idea that she would have an impact on so many children.

Of course, the guidance program the 21-year-old developed for middle-school students doesn't have as much to do with her major as it does her psychology minor. But whatever the reason, the faculty and students at Charleston Catholic School are grateful. While the children don't have a long record of behavioral problems, the school doesn't have a guidance counselor on its staff to help students.

"It was a way for the kids to be exposed to some curriculum that they may not be otherwise," said Fred McKay, Charleston Catholic's principal.

Occhipinti researched guidance programs throughout the state and determined critical content areas while she was taking a psychology class at College of Charleston. She then developed a program around a set of videos titled "Big Changes, Big Choices" that cover topics such as friendship, respecting others, positive body image and self-esteem, bullying, dealing with pressure and handling emotions, aspects that most middle school students stumble through as they enter the tumultuous time that is puberty.

Occhipinti tested the program on the entire middle school, which comprises fifth- through eighth-graders. Figuring out how to group the students and present the videos to them was a challenge in itself.

"We really wrestled with how we were going to present it," McKay said. Several ideas were tossed around, including putting all four grades together and separating them by gender. Ultimately, McKay, Occhipinti and her psychology teacher and mentor, Dr. Susan Simonian, decided to split them up by grade and show edited versions of the videos based on age appropriateness. Then Occhipinti would lead discussions about what they saw and put them in small-group exercises. She stressed the students to give specific examples. "I really want them to see how they can apply these situations in their lives ... You can watch a video and understand it, but you're not fully grasping it until you apply it to your own life with example."

Although some students are shy to admit it, the program seems to have made a positive impact on their relations with one another. In a follow-up discussion in a sixth-grade class, Occhipinti found that some of the adolescents have changed how they approach people for the first time and how to respect others' differences. The most enthusiastic response, however, were the smiles and nods she got when she asked if they would like her to come back more often next semester.

Simonian, who helped her student as needed with the program, said the videos allowed the most flexibility in developing curriculum and discussion, and the multicultural casts were important because it reflects the diversity of the school. The cost of the videos was covered by a grant the college has to fund undergraduate research.

"Most students don't get this kind of experience as an undergrad," Simonian said. Charleston Catholic and Occhipinti have already agreed that she will return next semester, her last. After that, she wants to attend grad school and become a school counselor.

"If I could help kids the way school counselors helped me, then I would consider it a great success," she said.