Global Connections High School

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." --Jane Addams

The Kelly Ann Brown Foundation (KABF) is excited to partner with educator and friend Mike Helstad to assist with his classroom at Global Connections High School in SeaTac, Washington. Global Connections is a public school located in a high poverty area south of Seattle.   

Mr. Helstad teaches a class of eight students in the Emotional Behavior Center (EBC) at Global Connections. EBC is a new program geared to work with students who, due to past trauma or mental health issues, have difficulty learning in a traditional classroom setting. Mr. Helstad explains his perspective on teaching his students:
"My mission as EBC teacher is to build a caring, nurturing and supportive learning culture rich in educational experiences where students flourish emotionally, socially and academically as they develop the knowledge, skills, behaviors and attitudes that will prepare them to live healthy, productive and fulfilling adult lives. An environment where students feel safe to form trusting relationships with staff and develop the social competencies and self-regulation skills that will enable them to progressively integrate and find success in the general education classroom environment. Many, if not all of my students will come to Global in September not only with the usual butterflies accompanying the first day of high school, but with deep emotional scars, toxic stress, mistrust of authority figures, oppositional behaviors, lack of self-control, low self-esteem and fear of failure that is heightened by the stigma of being placed in a special education classroom. Through no fault of his/her own, prior life experience has resulted in a built up resistance, a wall that stands in the way of developing a positive, healthy outlook towards life and learning. The beginning of high school for these students is seen as a window of opportunity to break down this barrier that may not present itself again."

With help from KABF, Mr. Helstad will purchase an interactive whiteboard for teacher and student presentations, a 3D printer to get students interested in math, science, technology and engineering, provide students with healthy snacks, and assist students in the construction of a greenhouse. For the vocational curriculum, Mr. Helstad hopes to help students start their own businesses, which will include the manufacture and selling of their own products.  Regular field trips will allow the students to explore and get to know their surrounding community.   

As Mr. Helstad states, “It would be truly humbling and amazing to see Kelly’s legacy and mission play out every day in the lives of these students.”

Click here for more information on Global Connections.