To foster an education culture that uplifts communities and empowers individuals with purpose and hope for the future.

To empower every child to discover their unique value and vital contribution to the world around them through social and emotional learning.

Founded in 2015, I AM is a school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program designed to support children’s social and emotional development during the school day. Our goal is to equip students with essential SEL skills that enhance their well-being, foster positive learning environments, and improve academic performance—ultimately strengthening both education and community in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP).

Impact Over the Years:

Serving schools since 2016: 7,989 students

GEO Academies Charter Schools

• GEO Prep Mid City (kindergarten-5th grade)

• GEO Prep Academy

  • Platt Drive (kindergarten-2nd grade)

  • North Sherwood Forest Drive (3rd-5th grade)

• GEO Prep Baker (kindergarten-5th grade

Democracy Prep Academy

• served during the 2022-2023 school year (kindergarten-5th grade)

In the schools we serve, we provide:  

• weekly lessons from our social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum taught in each kindergarten - 5th grade class taught by a trained I AM Instructor

• opportunities for students to participate in 3 service projects and 3 national initiatives

• “Thought of the Day” related to our lesson topics, announced daily schoolwide

• Extended Day program for 2nd grade students
  
  

Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on

developing students’ capacity for self-management,

responsible-decision making, social awareness,

self-awareness, and relationship skills.

Lesson topics include, but not limited to:

self-discipline, self-worth, self-confidence,

leadership skills, effective communication,

managing emotions, handling challenges, conflict resolution,

setting goals, integrity, respect,

growth mindset, grit, work ethic

Service-Learning

Students engage in three services projects and three national initiatives that are purposefully integrated into our curriculum to foster civic responsibility, generosity, and leadership.

Service Projects:

• Filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) with toys and essential items for children around the world

• Collecting food for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank for community members in need

• Making Easter cards to put in care packages for deployed American soldiers orchestrated by local nonprofit BR Soldier Outreach

National Initiatives:

• Red Ribbon Week - a drug & alcohol prevention initiative where we empower students to say “No!” to negative influences

• Bully Prevention - teaching students to lead with positive influence to create a safer school environment

• Random Acts of Kindness - students complete a weeklong kindness challenge, encouraging them to practice kindness at home, school, and in the community

Summer Program

Starting in 2025, we began partnering with Big Buddy’s Summer Programs to provide:

• SEL Classes to Big Buddy Summer Program Attendees

• Training for Big Buddy Mentors and Site Coordinators (Summer & School Year Trainings):

  • building relationships with youth

  • creating & maintaining a positive culture

  • creating & maintaining healthy expectations for youth

  • managing behavior

  • equipping youth with SEL skills

Extended Day

This extension of our program is designed to provide additional SEL support in a small-group setting for 2nd graders.

In these groups, they dive deeper into the SEL skills taught in their regular I AM classes, and spend more time practicing them.

Each month, we invite a leader from the Baton Rouge community to talk with the students about their personal growth journeys and how SEL has shaped their own lives.

I AM brings transformational change into the classroom through instructor-led programming that guides the discovery and development of every child’s heart.

• 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.

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