Student Assistance Training

Published December 18, 2008

Dozens of Williamson County teachers and volunteers are learning how to better meet the needs of our students.  On December 10, members of Williamson County Schools' student assistance program, or STARS, gathered at the Franklin Recreational Center for a special training session.  During that meeting, STARS counselors learned how to tackle some of the tough issues facing middle and high school students.

Since 1985, the STARS program has been helping Williamson County students enhance their character development and refrain from using alcohol, drugs and violence.  Executive Director Roger Dinwiddie says events like this help to reinforce the importance of student assistance programs.  "It's kind of a renewal training," says Dinwiddie.  "There's a lot of new teachers in the district who have never been exposed to this kind of training."

Centennial High School teacher David Schklar has been involved with the STARS program for years, but this is the first time he's been able to attend a training session.  "I came today to really get a better handle on the whole issues involved," says Schklar.  "And just as a teacher, I would hope it would help me out with some of my classroom management techniques as well as building a better relationship with the students."

Katherine Crous is a STARS Counselor at Ravenwood High School.  She says she found the session to be very helpful.  "It's been motivational so far to keep in mind that we are the protective factor in kids' lives and that we really are making a difference," says Crous.  "Hearing everybody else discuss what is going on with their school has given us ideas on how we can handle some of the same situations they are facing."

Today, STARS serves more than 75 schools and community sites in 10 middle Tennessee counties.  Williamson County High School Director Dan Hampton he has seen the benefits of having a student assistance program first-hand.  "The STARS program has allowed us to have a catch system," says Hampton.  "Those students that have fallen through the cracks in the past, we can now get them some immediate help."