October 28, 2008 1:30 - 2:30 The Martin Professional Development Center 2400 Fairfax Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212
Rachel’s Challenge is a world-wide program that
draws its inspiration from the life and work of Rachel Scott, the first student
killed at Columbine High School ten years ago.
Its aim is to eradicate violence, prejudice, bullying and hatred in
schools by challenging students to create a chain reaction of kindness and
compassion. Since it was founded almost
ten years ago, literally millions of people have been touched by its story,
accepted Rachel Scott’s challenge, and started to make their schools reflect
her vision. You can find more
information about Rachel’s Challenge and the positive effect it has on those
who take part in it by exploring their website.
Unfortunately, very few people in Tennessee are
aware of this wonderful program, and until recently only one school in the
state has received its benefits—a TAIS school located here in Nashville. In an effort to make sure as many schools as
possible have a chance to benefit from Rachel’s Challenge, I contacted Pam
Garrett, Executive Director of the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, and
she, too, was enthusiastic about its positive and powerful message. Therefore our two organizations have decided
to work together to offer a free preview of this remarkable
program to groups of teachers, administrators and students from public and
private high schools in middle Tennessee. Our hope is that not only
will they experience this powerful message, but that many of them will decide
to bring this program to their own schools.
