ALIVE program fosters positive change in troubled students

In the ALIVE classroom, students are invited to make meaningful connections between their lives and their schoolwork. Through co-teaching and the use of art, drama, music and poetry, students express themselves and gain a stronger sense of self-worth and belonging.

“Students are affected by stress and that gets in the way of their abilities to get the most out of their school experience,” said Dr. Nisha Sajnani, director of drama therapy, community health, and ALIVE School Based Programs at the Post Traumatic Stress Center.

ALIVE also uses project-based learning to introduce students to themes of community, identity, society, justice, territory and borders, and communication skills. The program also conducts professional development classes for teachers and school staff members.

Published in The New Haven Register Saturday, December 10, 2011
By Steve Higgins, Special to the Register