Do you hear music when you’re out eating at the lunch tables? Do you feel a more positive vibe on campus? That is thanks to our new school climate advocate, Mr. J.
The position of a school climate advocate is fairly new but Mr. J explained the position well.
“My job is to make sure that students feel supported and make sure they have all their needs. If there’s any conflict I do conflict resolution; let’s say they’re having an argument or a fight with another student. I try to help them resolve that,” Mr. J said.
Conflicts don’t just happen with peers. Students might also have an issue with a teacher, and Mr. J said that if a student might not like their teacher he also strives to mitigate those issues.
Aside from that, he also does fun activities.
“That’s why at lunch I play music, I schedule field trips and stuff like that. My job is basically to set the vibe, set a good, positive vibe on campus.”
Mr. J has had a lot of experience with adolescents and their issues.
“Before this work I used to be in the mental health field. I was a child family specialist, so my background and education was in mental health,” Mr. J explained. “Then I saw the opportunity with LA Unified. They just created this position two years ago so when I saw the announcement I said, ‘Oh that would be a good fit!’”
Mr. J is excited to be working at this school and we are equally excited to have him help us work through our issues.
