Workshop Series Teaches High Point Elementary’s 5th Graders How to Dream Big
High Point Elementary School’s 5th graders are on a journey to change the world around them, and it starts with their dreams for the future. Over 100 students from their graduating class participated in a 7-day workshop series that set them on a course for success with a roadmap created by an entrepreneur who knows what it takes to turn dreams into reality.
The program was launched through the School Governance Council (SGC) to address a need they identified in strengthening school culture. SGC Parliamentarian Dr. Dhaval Desai said the effort was a partnership between the SGC and Principal Dr. Danille Miller to identify programming that reflects the school’s core values tied to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program.
“The goal is to continue to inspire every scholar to be the best that they can be,” Dr. Miller said.
One of the 10 attributes of the IB program is nurturing inquirers who are curious and love learning. That mindset made High Point the perfect setting for the 2020 Vision: Uplifting Your Ultimate Dream workshop series, created by certified life coach Petula Skeete. Drawing on her own experiences, Skeete built a curriculum that blends life coaching with principles of personal growth. High Point hosted the program’s first workshop in May.
2020 Vision was intentionally piloted with students preparing for middle school. Dr. Miller called it a critical part of a scholar’s educational journey.
“As students get closer to middle school and so much is changing in and around them, we want to keep empowering and challenging them to make the best choices for their future,” Dr. Miller said. Skeete agreed.
“Students are beginning to form stronger ideas about who they are and what they want to be, yet they are still highly impressionable,” Skeete said. “Introducing a dream-centered curriculum at this age helps plant seeds of purpose, vision, and confidence before they transition into middle school, where peer influence and self-doubt often increase.”
Across seven interactive sessions, 2020 Vision blended life coaching with creative learning. Students were divided into boys’ and girls’ groups to create safe spaces for open conversations. Their discussions encouraged them to explore their “why” by identifying what they want to become and expanding their sense of what is possible. Even in its first year, the program has had an immediate and undeniable impact.
One of the most powerful moments came when students created their own personal quotes. For Dr. Desai, it was unforgettable.
“The quotes were amazing because they brought out the simple but deep-rooted feelings that they can do anything and eliminate barriers,” he recalled. “How many times do we stop ourselves from doing something because we feel impostor syndrome or put up barriers? The quotes and the energy from the students were very meaningful.”
Another highlight was the surprise recorded video messages from ABC News Anchor DeMarco Morgan and Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee. Both encouraged students to dream big and stay intentional without giving up.
Dr. Miller is committed to expanding 2020 Vision at High Point. She hopes to bring Skeete back in person next time and sees potential for the series to grow beyond the school, across the district, and perhaps even nationwide.
