Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! All week long, we’re showing love to our amazing PeerForward advisors.
Today we are highlighting our advisors from Parkdale High School: Oscar Peña and Amanda Metzel! Oscar has been an advisor since 2023 whereas Amanda has been with us since the College Summit era. Together they are a dynamic duo leading their students to success. We caught up with them to learn more about their experiences as PeerForward advisors and the changes they have noticed in their team:
What has that been like to have an expanded team that’s really gun ho about their career engagement communication?
Oscar Peña: Communication has been key. It’s important for our Peer Leaders because they can’t see the future. We are talking to them all the time to ensure that they see themselves as a leaders here at the school as well as after graduation as they pursue their postsecondary plans. It’s all about keeping that community together.
Amanda Metzel: I would say definitely over the years I’ve seen more support from not only in our school, but outside our school as well. Prior to the PeerForward program being adopted by the county, it was very small, very intimate. As the county took it on, we got more support and I would definitely say, probably since Covid, it blew up. During the first year of Covid, our team just fell apart. Everything was a disaster that one year. So, when the kids came back, I was very particular about who we chose because we knew the kids were going to be hesitant to start joining. It was just that community, as we said, the support, making sure everything is in line and is able to grow. I think it’s partly because of the kids, if nothing else, because they really want to help each other.
When it comes to your peer support team, what makes you most proud?
Oscar Peña: They speak for themselves. They advocate for themselves. They take the lead. We are there to support, but they take the lead in the activities and that’s important. That’s part of what being a Peer Leader is about, and we are proud of that.
And how have you seen them really take the lead this year?
I think the number one thing is, as the captains prepare to graduate, they help in training the next one. They come to me because my schedule is open in the afternoon, and they normally have a half-day schedule. So, when it’s time for them to leave the building, they’re coming to me saying “we put together the agenda for this week.” Half the time they’re telling me their plans versus me telling them!
What is one thing you think every PeerForward team needs?
Oscar Peña: Support! We have the support from our school administration and our Peer Leaders’ parents. That support is one key aspect that every PeerForward team must have.
Amanda Metzel: I would also say consistency. I think that’s what built a lot of our support. We’ve been slowly growing, getting everybody on board. So just the consistency on our part with the kids help adds to the support that we’re now getting.
If you could leave your Peer Leaders with a message of encouragement, what would it be?
Amanda Metzel: You got this. I mean, it’s simple. What I’ve seen of any of my Peer Leaders that come through, whether they’re low performing, high performing, they got their stuff together, they don’t got their stuff together. When they put their mind to it, they’ve got it.
Oscar Peña: Follow their dreams. They need to follow what they want, what they’re passionate about. We are here to help them, to guide them, but they need to think not just with their heart, it’s also with their brain. So it is a 50/50 because they can be passionate about something, but also they need to feel safe in everything, what they’re going to be doing in the future. We want to be here for them. We have had some visits from us before and we are still; we’re going to be here for them. So, they cannot forget that!
Amanda Metzel: I love the fact that Pena put the heart in there and I’m just like, follow your brain! Part of the reason we work so well together: Heart and brain!
