Josh Devine

Prevent Ed holds an informational meeting in the Ramming Gym March 25. This was the first meeting for the Its Complicated program of the year, kicking off the second wave of their lessons. “The initial training was long, but the semester checkins are nice to touch base,” Molly Salvatori (12) said.

PreventEd leader Emma Willson joined 13 students during seminar Feb. 5 to refresh them on the It’s Complicated Peer Teaching curriculum, and prepare them for their second round of lessons beginning in freshman Health classes March 25.

The It’s Complicated program allows high school juniors and seniors  to learn the education and leadership skills needed to step in as peer teachers for freshman Health classes. Program participants teach 3 lessons about the facts, dangers and effects of Cannabis use, in an effort to curb use of the substance amongst students. The program was started during the 2024-2025 school year, and has been running for the past 2 years.  

Maya Varadachari (12) has been with the program for one year, and joined in hopes of making an impact on younger students within the community. 

“I decided to join the program to get more unique volunteering experiences,” Varadachari said.

Peer teaching differs from guest speakers, with the lessons coming directly from fellow students instead of professional adults.  

“I think that this program helps freshmen feel more informed,” Molly Salvatori (12) said. “I think it helps them to get the information without feeling lectured by adults”

The program focuses on both mentorship and education, aiming to lead students to make informed decisions.

“It really helps the students make better decisions if they are ever in sticky situations regarding what we teach,” Varadachari said. “We want them to be better informed overall.” 

Student teachers also gain lots of experience and lessons from the program, offering a new outlook into education.

“I think it allows the freshmen to feel more connected to the people teaching them,” Salvatori said. “It feels more like one of their ‘friends’ giving them information versus a lecture from their teacher.”

Becoming a peer teacher for the program takes certification in the material, gained through summer training through PreventEd. 

“We met for a couple hours over the summer to go over the curriculum and then meet during seminar a couple of times before teaching,” Salvatori said. “It was really easy to learn all of the information.” 

The check in by PreventEd held Feb. 5 was just the start of their agenda, with lessons and further training beginning in the weeks to come. 

 “It was very helpful to touch base again on the information we learned back in August, and check in on any updates on the lessons and information,” Varadachari said.