Change
in the world begins with change in how
individuals see themselves and each other.
Jenny Abbott
Edwards created Hearts' Stories in 2004 after studying abroad
in the Netherlands while on a grant to research children
at risk in education. Edwards received the grant through
the Funds for Improvement of Post secondary Education (FIPSE)
that partnered with six universities- three in the United
States and three in Europe. Fifty-four students nation-wide
were able to participate in the research because of this
grant. A year later, this grant provided a post exchange
by inviting all fifty-four participants and their professors
back to a curriculum writing and reflection conference in
Leon, Spain.
While in The
Netherlands, Edwards was given the opportunity to be a minority
for the first time in her life. She experienced what it
was like to be treated differently because of the language
she spoke and the country she was from. She was also blessed
by the many who loved and cherished her, despite not being
able to speak the native tongue and know the cultural norms.
When she returned home from this experience she felt compelled
to give people the gift of meeting others from different
cultures and backgrounds. In her student teaching, many
ideas began to surface to help her formulate a way to build
community within the North Myrtle Beach Schools.
With the support
of a select few veteran teachers and educators, she developed
Hearts' Stories. Sally Hare, a past professor of Edwards
from Coastal Carolina University was extremely influential
in helping to support and create the reality of an actual
curriculum. Dr. Hare wrote a grant through the Waccamaw
Community Foundation for Hearts’ Stories. The program
was given an initial $3,000 grant that has sustained the
costs and supplies for the past three years.
Betsey Costner,
a fellow teacher and friend at North Myrtle Beach Primary
School was behind the scenes offering support and guidance
during Hearts’ Stories first year. Together, she and
Edwards traveled to the Manhattan New School in New York
City to visit the author Paula Rogovin’s classroom.
Rogovin , the author of the professional text, Classroom
Interviews welcomed Costner and Edwards into her class to
observe the way she hosts her own classroom interviews.
Costner then joined in teaching the curriculum and continuing
to co-create and develop it in her own classroom beginning
in 2006.
Edwards named
the curriculum “Hearts’ Stories” because
it seeks to hear the stories of people’s hearts. An
interview is a "Heart's Story", a few moments
of vulnerability in a safe learning environment and as the
book Classroom Interviews states, it is a 'gift' that enables
students to share their cultural identity, gain perspective
and respect for others.
Hearts’
Stories is an inquiry-based, community building, interview
curriculum that seeks to increase students’ self-awareness
and self- esteem. The goals are accomplished by helping
children discover their identity, their community, and how
they are connect to others in their world by interviewing
themselves and others. By becoming more aware of themselves,
students suddenly find: geography, language, reading, and
writing more meaningful. Hearts’ Stories teaches children
how to research, take notes, communicate, ask questions,
and most importantly, appreciate others.
Starting this
curriculum in the early years is the best chance for building
a strong foundation of acceptance and understanding which
leads to peace. Hearts’ Stories integrates this curriculum
into the writing block on Friday mornings. The mission of
Hearts’ Stories is to create a greater sense of awareness
of one’s identity, community and connection to others
through classroom interviews.
The impact
being made on students currently involved in Hearts' Stories
is contagious! Hearts’ Stories has grown from the
dream of a first year teacher, to a reality in many classrooms.
Please visit Friends of Hearts Stories to find a classroom
near you that has embraced this curriculum. Be brave. Tell
your story and listen to others. Together we can make a
difference in our world.
