September 2024

In our inaugural episode of Education Expedition, we spotlight Thurston High School Principal Kimberlee Pelster, who shares how her school’s affinity groups ignited a transformative shift in campus climate—one where every student feels celebrated, supported, and truly seen.

A Vision in Action
In its first year, Thurston’s initiative focused on cultivating strong, meaningful connections among students. Each student identified a trusted staff leader with whom they felt comfortable expressing their unique experiences and aspirations. Through these connections, students articulated their needs and goals, which ranged from creating safe spaces for self-expression to establishing learning forums on microaggressions, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the impact on students of color and the broader school community. Importantly, these early discussions also included setting boundaries around acceptable behavior on campus, empowering students to define a culture of respect and inclusivity.

Expanding the Impact
Building on the connections established in the first year, Year 2 took the initiative schoolwide, bringing identity and visibility to the forefront through events such as a campus-wide block party, Día de los Muertos celebrations, and a dedicated Girls’ Night. By integrating these events into the school calendar, Principal Pelster enabled staff to plan and participate actively, fostering a schoolwide habit of showing up for one another in ways that celebrate and support the diverse identities on campus.

Empowering Student Leadership
Thurston High’s affinity groups also took on an instructional role, developing advisory lessons that resonate with students and collaborating with their local Education Service District (ESD) to co-design a student-led leadership conference. In these efforts, students took the lead in training adults to become upstanders—equipped to intervene and de-escalate harmful situations—ensuring that the values of inclusivity and respect extend beyond their peer circles. Looking forward, these groups aim to empower students to act as allies and advocates, creating an inclusive environment through peer-led allyship training.

This innovative approach at Thurston High School demonstrates how student-led initiatives can drive lasting change and build an environment of mutual respect and celebration. We’re excited to see how this vibrant school culture continues to flourish!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

This article is part of our Education Expedition series, highlighting stories of innovation and leadership shaping schools across Oregon.  Click here to view a YouTube video of this episode.