SOMEBODY’s big day at CBC with YRDSB teachers

• The first thing she said was, “Mme. Duggan are you still doing the Nobody program?”
• Each class will do their own initiative for the environment with our Who Is GREEN? kit
• It’s so easy to implement this literacy resource

On September 6th SOMEBODY visited CBC with YRDSB’s teacher Brigid Duggan, her student teacher Marisa Da Re and Who Is NOBODY? Literacy Resource Founder, Kelly Clark.

There were so many wonderful teachers who reached out to participate in the CBC interview.

But when we heard that Brigid Duggan, who was one of the original teachers to pilot this literacy resource (nearly 18 years ago!) had a student teacher in her class who participated in Who Is NOBODY? back when she was in Grade 5, we jumped at the chance to share her experience.

Marisa’s last day in Brigid’s class, was the day of our CBC interview.

Some things feel meant to be.

Here’s Marisa, Brigid and some NOBODY’s by CBC’s Marjorie April, host of Y a pas deux matins pareils.

We couldn’t wait to hear Marisa’s thoughts on this literacy resource, now that’s she’s training to be a teacher.

…we’ll get to that in a moment!

The day began with NOBODY-turned-SOMEBODY getting a security tag before taking the elevator up into the CBC building.

Have you been to the CBC building before?

It’s a huge tower with an atrium in the middle that stretches from the ground floor up to the top of the building.

After taking the elevator, we walked into the studio.

Brigid and Marisa got suited up with their mikes, ready to talk about the Who Is NOBODY? Literacy Resource.

During the interview Brigid shared (in French!):

Marisa was in my class years ago when I used to teach grade five. She participated in the Nobody program. Ironically, she is my student teacher this year from Nipissing University. When we reunited before school started, the first thing that came out of her mouth was, “Mme. Duggan are you still doing the Nobody program?”

Marjorie April:

A teacher from Toronto, named Kelly Clark, developed a literacy resource back in 2002 that’s made the tour of the planet.

In what way did Who Is NOBODY? impact you?

Marisa:

Who Is NOBODY? had a profound effect on me when I was young but also as an adult. This literacy resource also made me want to be a teacher. It was such a fun project to be involved in. Kids love being a part of the Who Is NOBODY? Program. You get to bring the doll home and make a positive change in the world. You can do something big or something small to make a difference. You learn how to have empathy and respect for others. Who Is NOBODY? is something every school should do.

Who Is NOBODY? is something every school should do. It had a profound effect on me when I was young. You get to... make a positive change in the world— Marisa

Marjorie April:

Do you think this program had an impact on your choice of careers?

Marisa:

Yes absolutely. This is something that I did in grade five. Now I’m 23 years old. I often think of this project. Who Is NOBODY? is one of my favourite memories from elementary school. Now as an adult, I can see the impact that it’s had. Nobody represents so much more than just a doll, it represents how students don’t think of themselves, instead they put others first.

Who Is NOBODY? is one of my favourite memories from elementary school... It teaches students to put others first and to have empathy and respect for others— Marisa

Marjorie April:

And you Brigid, what do you think?

Brigid Duggan:

I see the difference. We have 2 student teachers at our school this year. Both of them participated in the Who Is NOBODY? Program when they were in grade five. At the time, I loved this literacy resource and my students loved being involved in it. But I wasn’t sure what type of long-term impact it had on them. After reconnecting with my students who are not adults, I see that Who Is NOBODY? left a profound/huge impression* impact on them.

After reconnecting with my students who are now adults, I see that Who Is NOBODY? made a huge impression on them— Brigid

Marjorie April:

Is it a big time commitment for teachers to be involved in this literacy resource?

Brigid Duggan:

Do you know what? It’s so easy to implement this program. Once you introduce the program with a short DVD lesson, the students are inspired and it’s self running. This year, I’m trying something new. Kelly Clark has also invented 2 other programs. A pink anti-bullying doll and a green doll that supports students in helping the environment. This year, I’m responsible for the Eco-team. We’re doing a school-wide eco-initiative. Each class will do their own initiative for the environment with our Who Is GREEN? kit.

Marjorie April:

If we have anyone listening who wants to get involved, how do they get started?

Many great things are happening in our communities as a result of the Nobody program— Marjorie April, CBC Radio

Brigid Duggan:

All they have to do is visit: whoisnobody.com to participate in any of the programs, including the French kit Qui est PERSONNE?

Marjorie April:

Thank you so much. We can see all of the great things that are happening in our communities thanks to the Who Is NOBODY? Program. Many great things are happening as a result of the Nobody program and students are putting others first.

Then NOBODY-turned-SOMEBODY was interviewed again for some social media spots.

Then SOMEBODY was ready for some pics to highlight all the 3D attachments that represent how students used their interests to help others.

Visiting CBC to share SOMEBODY’s experiences was such an honour.

Big thanks to Tassia Trifiatis-Tezgel (in the middle below) who helped co-ordinate SOMEBODY’s interview!

To date over 1600 classes, 89 school boards and 5 countries have participated and close to 1 million dollars have been raised for a wide range of charities. Students learn NOT to be a bystander by choosing something they feel isn’t right in the world and finding a way – a personally meaningful way – to make a difference.

Big THANKS to all the wonderful teachers who wanted to share their experiences, including YRDSB’s Mme. Duggin and student teacher Marisa. As well as CBC’s passionate journalists Tassia Trifiatis-Tezgel and Marjorie April.

Read the full interview about this literacy resource here.