Each day at Binghamton High School, Jen Smith aims to foster better relationships between students and adults.
As the Binghamton City School District’s Restorative Practice Coordinator, this work has been her focus for six years. So when a student-run podcast wanted to highlight how students can better connect with teachers, administrators, and staff, Smith was the perfect choice.
“This is my ‘work of heart,’ I call it - this is my passion, this is everything I wanted to be and do when I started teaching,” Smith said. “I wanted to focus on making sure students feel like we’re a family and I think that we’re doing a great job at Binghamton and I’m really proud of the work we’re doing here.”
Smith appeared on the January 26th episode of "The Other Side," a podcast that focuses on mental health and amplifying youth voices. It is a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County (CCE) and WSKG Radio; Union-Endicott students from CCE’s 4-H Unity program produce the program.
In her episode, Smith was able to share her experiences and thoughts related to her work at the Binghamton City School District. What was missing from the show, however, was the perspective of students with whom she works. So, a second episode of “The Other Side” focusing on student-adult relationships was ordered up.
“Part 2 is my absolute favorite - it really shows the positive effects of restorative practice in their eyes and that’s really the most important thing here,” Smith said.
Nevah Crowder and Kamari Goodman will appear on the February 12th installment of “The Other Side.” Each of these BHS sophomores have built strong relationships with Smith; and through their time working with her have learned skills to improve relationships with others in their lives.
“How to take time, just listen, hear other people out, have patience for other people and to be very understanding because you never know what someone else is going through,” Crowder said. “Just to be kind no matter what you’re going through because someone else could be going through worse.”
With their upcoming podcast debut, the students are excited to be able to share the impact relationship building has had on them, and how it can impact others.
“It was a great experience,” Goodman said. “It feels great knowing that people are going to hear this and hear what I have to say about my experiences with Mrs. Smith. I’ve learned how to be closer with people, understand where people are coming from; I’ve just learned how to better myself and become a better person.”
Episodes of “The Other Side” can be found here, as well as on Apple and Spotify.