Pedro Vargas grasps the "talking stick" and addresses the circle of boys taking up the entire perimeter of the Vista Square Elementary School classroom. "My name is Pedro and I haven't had a very good week," says the 12-year-old. "I have been on in-school suspension for bad behavior. I need to read a book this weekend because I am getting behind in my schoolwork. I need a push."
Each boy who is passed the stick gives a brief account of his week. One boy says he is failing math. Another says he has been getting into arguments with his teachers. "It has been a tough week, but I'm going to apologize to my teachers and try to do better," he says.
Teacher Guillermo Gomez at Vista Square Elementary in Chula Vista prepares to pass the 'talking stick' around the Circle of Little Brothers.
The Circle of Little Brothers meets every Friday after school at Vista Square Elementary in Chula Vista. The purpose is to provide low-income fifth- and sixth-grade boys the opportunity to discuss and learn about peer pressure, goal setting, culture, identity and self-esteem, drug and alcohol prevention, gang and violence prevention, higher education, male responsibility, and respect for women. The group also does volunteer work in the community.
Guillermo Gomez and Ricardo Medina from the Chula Vista Educators founded the circle three years ago. At that time there were just 25 members. Since then, the program has increased to more than 200 students. Some have moved on to middle school and high school, but continue to come back and participate in activities.
"Once they become members, they are members for life," says Gomez, a sixth-grade teacher at the school. "It's like a fraternity."
The next discussion topic is the group's recent field trip to nearby San Diego State University. The talking stick is again passed around the room, as each boy describes his thoughts about college and the highlights of the trip, which include cafeteria food and, of course, college girls. One student marvels, "People at San Diego State University were just like us at our age. If they can be successful, so can we."
"By the time you're in sixth grade, you should be thinking about college," says Gomez, California's nominee for the NEA Teaching Excellence Award for 2001. "We want you to be exposed to a college campus and interact with students there. I want you to live a good life so that when you grow up you can make good choices, so people can be proud of you."
Gomez, himself a graduate of San Diego State University, says boys at his school and throughout the community need successful males to emulate. "Growing up in a low socio-economic community, I saw how the lack of role models and the non-involvement of parents affect the education of students."
Once they join, little brothers like Irvin Carrillo, Ephraim Garcia, Bryan Solis and Luis Escamilla are members for life.
He also experienced the inequitable treatment that he says is commonly attached to minority students seeking higher education.
He also noticed the lack of involvement of males in the school system.
"Because of these experiences, I have committed myself to go beyond the classroom to provide opportunities for both parents and students to appreciate and value education."
The founders of Circle of Little Brothers co-authored an annual grant that funds the program and helps provide money for expenses that include T-shirts, snacks and field trips to social and cultural events, as well as institutions of higher learning. The program has been so successful that it has expanded into a female counterpart - the Circle of Little Sisters - run by strong female teachers at the school site.
Another spin-off program is Mi Papa, designed to help bring fathers into the school community. The evening program pairs fathers and other adult male role models with their children in educational and art activities.
"Traditionally, moms are always involved in school, and dads take a back seat," says Gomez. "Some dads don't know how to play with kids or communicate with kids, so one night a month we have things like Lego Night or other activities. Single mothers are invited if there is no male figure in the family. We never push moms away."
The Circle of Little Brothers is having an impact on the behavior of members, says Gomez. "Discipline problems seem to go away. We see friendship among them, and no fighting. We build trust."
Members of the circle say there are plenty of good things going around.
"I always get good vibes here," says Pedro. "Hearing the wisdom of other people makes me feel good. They tell us stories about things we are going through, and things we are about to go through, so we know how to deal with things.
Teacher Guillermo Gomez at Vista Square Elementary in Chula Vista prepares to pass the 'talking stick' around the Circle of Little Brothers.
Once they join, little brothers like Irvin Carrillo, Ephraim Garcia, Bryan Solis and Luis Escamilla are members for life.
