Create a positive environment where children experience emotional, developmental and academic growth.

Increase children's capacity to succeed academically and behaviorally

Help children understand the importance of their voice and the impact it has in their everyday life.

Promote an atmosphere where self-confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-discipline are encouraged.

Nurture children to facilitate freedom to fail and succeed as they pursue their natural leadership skills rather than being influenced by negative peer values.

Challenge each child to realize his/her value and the importance of their role in this generation and the next.

Encourage children to self-determine the purpose and destiny for their own lives.

Increase personal growth within the culture of the classroom, the school, and the family.

I AM is a non-profit organization that has developed a social and emotional learning program with the purpose of…

* meeting the needs of the whole child through social and emotional learning

* empowering children to find their identity and fulfill their destiny

* strengthening their voice

* promoting personal growth and character development

Every day we face circumstances in which the choices we make will have either positive or negative consequences in our lives. The goal of the I AM program is to meet the needs of the whole child through hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and student led discussions about how their view of themselves impacts their life and those around them.

As a result, the following will occur:  

* improve academic performance

* support learning environment

* reduce school suspension

* foster positive communication

* promote conflict resolution

* encourage personal accountability

* nurture future aspirations

The I AM program is an 8 month (September-April) social and emotional learning program which is incorporated, as a part of guidance weekly, Kindergarten-5th grade.  I AM classes are led by an I AM employee once a week for 45 minutes in each class.  

Program topics include, but not limited to, making wise choices; establishing a strong identity (self-esteem); increasing personal “voice” (self-confidence); learning leadership skills; practicing self-discipline; improving communication; developing problem solving skills; and character topics, such as, integrity, respect, good citizenship, and perseverance. 

Once a semester, the students will implement a school-wide service learning project. This helps the students to see beyond themselves and to focus on how they can help the larger community. Projects include making shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child in the Fall and collecting food for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in the Spring.