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Read what youth, adults, seniors and experts have to say about Youth Empowering Parents

Cloyce Weaver

“For some students, school does not work.”

A school is a place where students discover themselves and their potential. However, what about a student who does not fit in? That, Cloyce Weaver believes, is where Youth Empowering Parents could play a role.

A former teacher, principal and Student Achievement Officer with the Ontario Ministry, Weaver has been a board member of YEP for the past one year. Weaver has been working in the field of education for decades now. While there are several programs initiated by the Ministry and other organizations for students in schools, Weaver believes YEP stands out because of the importance it gives to application of knowledge. “In my background as a principal and teacher, I have realized that there’s a bunch of kids for whom school does not work. The structure is all wrong for their needs and learning styles. YEP is hooking those kids who do not see themselves as fitting in in school,” notes Weaver.

According to Weaver, a school should be a place that focusses not just on students’ academic performance, but their well-being, and one that gives them a sense of belonging. YEP, he believes, is providing students that first step. “There’s definitely more to a school community than the piece of YEP. However, YEP gets them through the door. YEP makes them feel comfortable within the actual physical environment of the school,” he says.

And what does Weaver believe is the biggest YEP factor? “Most of the after-school and summer programs are facilitated by adults, and they are done to and for students, not by students. That’s the huge benefit of YEP. It is all about students.”

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