From personal growth to classroom transformation: Bringing the study of self to life

Students share their weekly "stretches" on paper leaves displayed in the classroom.

By Josee Perron, teacher, Abbotsford

When I first started my journey of personal development work to learn new skills, boost my confidence, and achieve goals I had set for myself, I had no idea it would have such a huge impact on my pedagogy as a teacher. Engaging in personal development work was both uncomfortable and deeply challenging. It pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, requiring me to confront my fears, manage anxiety, challenge long-held beliefs, find my voice, and embrace vulnerability. Yet, through this transformative process, I experienced significant personal growth. It led me to a powerful question: How can I bring these life-changing concepts into my Grade 8 health and career classroom?

Understanding oneself, building emotional resilience, and developing social awareness are foundational skills—not just for success, but for well-being. While I discovered many of these skills as an adult, I often reflect on how different my path might have been had I learned them earlier. This realization inspired me to integrate these principles into my teaching, creating space for students to explore who they are, how they grow, and how they can thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

After years of living within the safety of my own comfort zone, I realized that many students do the same. They navigate school and life within boundaries that feel safe but often limit their potential. Inspired by the tools and insights I gained from personal development courses, books, and experiences, I felt compelled to create a space where students could begin their own journey of self-exploration throughout the ten months they spend in my class.

This led to the creation of The Journey Within: The Study of Self, a program designed to help students explore who they are, develop emotional intelligence, and build the skills they need to thrive—not just academically, but as confident, compassionate individuals ready to take on the world.

Student work from Josee’s Pieces of Me assignment.

 This term, my health and career education class began our study of personal and social development with a project titled The Nine Pieces of Me. This activity invited students to reflect on their identities, values, and lived experiences, laying the foundation for deeper self-exploration of “Who am I?”

One of the most impactful components of my program is our weekly “stretching” activities. A stretch, in the context of this activity, is a small, intentional action that pushes you slightly outside your comfort zone to help you grow personally or socially. It’s not about doing something extreme; it’s about taking a step that feels challenging but achievable. Each week, I join my students in selecting two personal stretches to focus on.

Stretching is never about comparison. Each student’s challenge is unique, and we celebrate every effort equally. This practice helps students build resilience and adaptability—skills that are vital for both personal growth and career readiness. Over the course of seven days, we complete our chosen stretches then share our progress during Community Building Block, a dedicated time period set aside each week for strengthening relationships, building trust, and fostering personal growth. During our Community Building Block, students share their stretches with peers, fostering a culture of empathy, courage, and mutual support. We also use the Community Building Block to reflect on what’s going well in the class, what needs to improve, and what weekly goals to set for our whole class.

Students' "stretches" displayed in Josee's classroom. All photos provided by author.

At the end of each Community Building Block, students record the stretches they’ve achieved on individual paper leaves, which we then add to our classroom’s growth tree—a vibrant visual that celebrates our shared journey of development and well-being.

Throughout all of the activities in my Study of Self program, we’ve been learning to stay present and explore who we are beyond our fears and insecurities. Many students have discovered that while their comfort zones feel safe, true growth only happens when they step beyond them.

Our Community Building Block has grown into much more than a weekly class; it’s become a space for meaningful reflection, personal growth, and authentic connection. Over the past eight weeks, my students have taken courageous steps toward understanding themselves and each other during our community building blocks and during our daily two minutes of connection activity, developing skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.

We’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It flourishes when we challenge ourselves, support one another, and step outside our comfort zones. Through weekly stretches and shared reflections, we’ve cultivated a class-room culture rooted in trust, empathy, acceptance, vulnerability, and courage.

This experience has helped us build a stronger, more compassionate learning community—one where students feel seen, heard, and valued. In our classroom, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength, and support can come from anyone in the room. We’ve embraced the idea that learning is a shared responsibility. There isn’t just 1 teacher—there are 27.

As we continue this journey, I invite you to reflect with your students: What stretch will you take this week? What growth might come from stepping outside of your comfort zone?

So, how will you and your students stretch this week?

Two-minute connection activity

In our Grade 8 class, we start with two minutes of connection every class:

1. Sit knee-to-knee with the person beside you, leaving a comfortable space between you.

2. Face each other so you can make eye contact.

3. For two minutes, take turns asking questions and sharing answers.

Early in the school year, students may need support in thinking of questions to ask their peers, so I provide sample questions, like the following:

• What is your favourite food and why do you like it?

• If you could visit any country, where would you go?

• What is one hobby or activity you enjoy?

• Describe your perfect weekend.

• What is your favourite book, movie, or song?

• If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

The goal? To get to know each other better, build trust, and foster a strong sense of community and connection in our classroom.