Programs
Release the Fear has been designated as a Character Education Provider by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE).
“Character Education programs are designed to promote interpersonal and intrapersonal values and civic virtues through the intentional and focused effort to help students understand, care about and act upon core ethical values. Social and Emotional Learning refers to knowledge, habits, skills, and ideals that are at the heart of a child’s academic, personal, social, and civic development. They are necessary for success in both school and life. This type of learning enables individuals to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish and maintain positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively. Social and Emotional Learning programs build upon Character Education attributes through behavior modification behavior and skill development associated with the attributes that are addressed: Attentiveness, Diligence, Gratefulness, Responsibility, Caring, Discernment, Initiative, Sincerity, Citizenship, Forgiveness, Orderliness, Trustworthiness, Compassion, Generosity, Respect, Virtue, and Wisdom”
~ Arizona Department of Education (ADE)
Methodologies
Release the Fear, utilizes educational consultants to consistently evaluate our evidence-based programs, make improvements and changes as needed. RTF relies on a yearly, Comprehensive Needs Assessment to help us implement methodologies that improve students capabilities to succeed.
Inquiry-Based Learning is a method that focuses on student investigation and hands-on learning. The educators primary role is that of a facilitator, providing guidance and support for the participants through the learning process. Inquiry-based learning falls under the student-centered approach, in that students play an active and participatory role in their own learning process.
Cooperative Learning refers to a method of teaching and classroom management that emphasizes group work and a strong sense of community. This model fosters students academic and social growth. Cooperative learning falls under the student-centered approach because learners are responsible for their learning and development. This method focuses on the belief that students learn best when working with and learning from their peers.
VAK (Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic) Learning uses the three main sensory receivers: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic (movement) to determine the dominant learning style. This form of learning is sometimes known as VAKT (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, & Tactile). It is based on modalities—channels by which human expression can take place and is composed of a combination of perception and memory.
No other program uses our methodology to teach valuable life skills, enhance participants sense of self and surroundings, and allows participants to experience alternative ways of dealing with conflict and anger.
At the end of a 3-day workshop, participants create a group painting to present to the public; an expression created by persons from multiple perspectives can be harmonious and unifying. This can not only be a healing experience for the group but also a community awareness campaign, sharing a message of decreased violence of all types.
Participants realize that they are not alone in their fears and that their dreams can become reality. By introducing new and fresh perspectives through the power of the creative process, participants learn to embrace life and fully realize its endless possibilities. Shifting awareness, turns pain into the means of Bridging their Possibilities. Participants become enlightened about their purpose(s) and lead productive lives.
Mikayla’s story is one of many successes to create a “rippling effect” through RTF:
“I was into drugs, and into gangs. I was on a destructive path and didn’t care--about anything. I happened to be in the class when Release the Fear was presented, only because I needed the credit. I didn’t want to be there. In fact, when I first met Robert and RJ, I didn’t like them. I didn’t like what they were saying. I didn’t like the program. I didn’t want to have anything to do with any of it. But a few days later, those feelings began to change. It was like my eyes were taken out. And the program gave me new eyes--eyes that allowed me to see the world in a different way, and I began to imagine a person I might be. If I had not taken the Release the Fear workshop, I would be in jail today, or worse. Instead, I just graduated with my Bachelors’ degree in Science. Thanks to this program”.
Mikayla was identified as a Release the Fear new program trainer in 2009.