Pictured above: General Machinist students Joe Neville and Jessica Lovell, kicked off Theme Day on April 22 as superheroes.
Superhero garb may not be the typical dress code in a college classroom, but on April 22, more than one Superman and Batman outfit was spotted in the Black Walnut building.
The reason: A superhero theme day.
Initiated by General Machinist Pre-Apprenticeship students, the theme day was a gesture of support to who risked their lives and, without hesitation, rushed in to help the injured at the Boston Marathon following the bombings.
Excitement about their theme day caught on.
Shanyn Porter, professor and program officer, noted how the students are now organizing theme days for every other Monday. While some will be reflective of a larger purpose of reflecting on how they fit into their community, such as a Random Act of Kindness Day. Others such as Pajama Day will serve to boost morale.
Porter pointed out how most students in the program are those are returning to school after a long absence. Many of them haven’t had positive experiences at school in the past. Courses she teaches such as English Communications and Self Management Self Direction provide a time for students to reflect and to critically think about different things happening in the world.
For some students, the classes are an eye-opener into looking at themselves in a new way. The 20-week courses prepare students for the next level – level one of their apprenticeship – with an emphasis on professionalism in the workplace, as well as self-awareness about what they bring to the table.
“It’s so important for them to connect with the good things that happened for them in school and the fun theme days help them do that,” she said. “It becomes contagious. It’s about enjoying aspects of life when maybe there isn’t very much to enjoy at that moment.”
The students are not only continuing their theme days, but they’ve invited students from the Aboriginal Child Development Practitioner pre-apprenticeship program to join them, creating a friendly rivalry between the two as they compete for Theme Day prizes.
“I think the impact it’s having is completely positive,” said Porter. “There’s lots of discussion happening. People are feeling more involved and lots of good ideas have been generated.”
Porter said she is excited about the upcoming theme days.
“For me, it brings another opportunity to teach in a way that is their own. It’s great when ideas are student-driven,” she said.
She is even lookign forward to participating in future theme days herself.
“Of course, I’ll be wearing professional clothing under my housecoat,” she says with a chuckle, “but I’ll still participate.”
