AEC remembers Holocaust

Alternative Education Center joined the world in celebrating the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust on January 27, 2024. During this week, AEC students integrated the discussion of the Holocaust into their group guidance sessions. They shared their opinions about the current Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars and why the U.S. supports Israel and Ukraine. 

AEC students shared their personal conflicts at home or in school and explained ways to resolve these conflicts. The most common theme students emphasized was respecting individual differences. Students stressed that all humans regardless of identities have the right to live and learn from mistakes to change and thrive. Students discussed how the Holocaust remembrance celebration helps achieve the global goals of reduced inequalities and peace, justice, and strong institutions. 

AEC wins CREST Award, Education Foundation Grant

Alternative Education Center won two awards during the school year 2023-24: Counselors Reinforcing Excellence in Students in Texas (CREST) and Education Foundation Grant. CREST is awarded yearly by the Texas School Counseling Association to Texas public schools implementing the Texas Comprehensive School Counseling Program with the highest integrity. Schools are judged based on the five categories specified in the Press Release below. It was the first time that AEC received this award, and the community of Odessa joined in the celebration. This state award is living proof that integrating global education into school counseling does not imperil the core of counseling; instead, it enhances students' mental health as they start seeing their significance and contribution to the world. We were featured in the news. 

On the other hand, the AEC counseling project, Gamifying School Counseling, won the Education Foundation Grant early this school year. The project aims to integrate play therapy into school guidance and counseling, targeting significant topics based on the Texas Model of Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. A set of play therapy tools worth more than a thousand dollars was purchased through the grant money and has been productively used in individual and group guidance and counseling sessions with students since the first semester. Our project was featured in the news.

AEC joins International Civil Aviation Day

Alternative Education Center joined the International Civil Aviation Day celebration on December 7, 2023, with the theme Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development. The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of countries and states. It also promotes the unique role of ICAO in helping countries cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

AEC students discussed degree programs and careers that would lead to working in the airplane industry and reflected on their interest in this field. They related the concept of flying to dreaming big for their bright future. Students played a card game to discuss dreams and aspirations despite experiences of challenges and abuse. They created stories reflecting future plans using story cubes. They then used an airplane coloring activity to identify and describe loved ones who would support them and fly with them as they strive to reach their dreams. Students discussed how the celebration and activities promote the global goal of decent work and economic growth.

AEC celebrates International Day of Banks

Alternative Education Center celebrated International Day of Banks on December 4, 2023. The celebration recognizes the significant potential of multilateral development banks and other international development banks in financing sustainable development and the vital role of the banking systems in the UN Member States in improving the standard of living. The major goal is to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental. 

Students at the Alternative Education Center discussed lessons on banking and financial literacy and ways other core areas could support the promotion of financial literacy. English could train students to read and communicate financial activities. Social Studies could help students see the personal, societal, and governmental benefits of effective financial management. Lastly, Science could teach students to use scientific problem-solving strategies to combat financial dilemmas that impact other problems of the world. On a personal level, through a guidance lesson group activity, students recognized and explained ways to earn money other than illegal activities, such as dealing drugs. Using art, students visualized their future means to earn money that is legal and something they and their families could be proud of. Students discussed how their little economic contribution could help meet the global goal of decent work and economic growth.

AEC joins International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Alternative Education Center joined the celebration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women observed on November 25, 2023, and the UNiTE campaign from November 25th to December 10th, an initiative of 16 days of activism to help end women's rights violations. This 2023 campaign Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls calls on all people to show how much they care about ending violence against these groups and call on governments all over the world to share how they intentionally invest in the prevention of gender-based violence.

At AEC, students recognized perspectives and discussed ideas on how to support women at home, in society, in the country, and in the world to promote the global goals of gender equality and reduced inequalities. Students identified anger as the root cause of violence. They shared how to regulate their own anger by playing Totika game on anger. Then, they created a storybook to describe the many things they are thankful for about the woman they love and care about in life and are willing to protect from any form of violence.