- Washington Middle School
- Overview
-
Wildcat Ambassador program
Washington Middle School
What are Ambassadors?
Ambassadors are WMS students who are trained and supervised to offer support to others in the following ways:
- Practicing and exemplifying the WMS universal expectations: Responsible, Respectful, Safe, and Kind
- Caring
- Welcoming and mentoring new students
- Showing positive leadership among the WMS community every day
- Mentoring younger students
Why have student Ambassadors?
Students can do things that adults in the school cannot:
- Pair with new students for orientation and mentoring
- Relate to peers in a supportive way
- Provide positive leadership
- Offer input for school climate improvement
- Have experience in some of the same issues as their peers
Selection Process
- Application/Questionnaire
- Interview
- Faculty/Administrative input
- Notification of acceptance or not to program
Philosophy: The Wildcat Connect Ambassador Program is defined by students who want to help others, are leaders among their peers, are willing to go above and beyond daily obligations, and who practice responsibility, respect, and safety in and out of school. Student ambassadors are in a unique position to be student advocates, to serve as a resource for both peers and adults, and to be contributors to a positive school climate and healthy school culture.
The Wildcat Connect Ambassador Program values the following characteristics for its students:
- sensitivity
- genuineness
- capacity to care
- responsibility
- non-judgmental attitude
- acceptance of others
- diversity – represents school population
- reliability
- integrity
Training
- Fall– training for new Ambassadors in leadership, orientation procedures, and new student procedures
- Meetings during Academic Lab/Homeroom time once per month
Duties and Responsibilities of an Ambassador
- New student welcoming and orientation (throughout the year)
- 5th grade orientation (May)
- Monthly meetings
- Helping/aiding teachers
- Reporting concerns about school climate
- Mentoring younger students
- Maintaining status as a student in good standing
Skills & Abilities of an Ambassador
- Active listening
- Non-verbal communication (eye-contact, posture)
- Confidentiality (when to maintain and exceptions to)
- Being an “upstander”
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills