Heritage Panel: Empowering youth to create change in their schools

Heritage Panel is an in-school program which aims to create a healthier, safer, and more kind school community. The program begins by training 15-30 students and up to five educators in an intensive two-day workshop. During the training, participants
are asked to examine their own behaviors as well as the issues present within their school community. In response, they’ll make personal commitments to improving relations at school. Our goal is for the students to be prepared to share their own
stories in classrooms or with other groups in an effort to facilitate a discussion with the audience about critical issues in their lives and school community. These conversations often spark discussions related to bullying, cliques, and exclusion.

Educators participate in the training alongside the students. While the training is focused on students, educators are often able to make a positive contribution to the conversation. Furthermore, educators are able to connect with students who they
may not typically interact with and build new relationships. During the training educators will also meet with a member of the ACE Alabama staff to learn how to moderate a Heritage Panel presentation and talk about the future of the program.
The ultimate goal of the Heritage Panel program is to help foster a safe and supportive environment at school. This is accomplished several ways. First, the students who participate have a transformative experience that creates a strong
bond that continues throughout the school year. Next, the training empowers the students to be role models who are sensitive and compassionate to all people and groups at school. Lastly, the presentations the students make following the training
have the potential to help deal with inflammatory issues and situations in a proactive manner. There should be at least five (5) Heritage Panels that take place in chosen classrooms throughout the school year.

If you are interested in participating in this program for the 2025-2026 school year as an educator, please email Interim Programs Director, Sarah Patrick, sepatrick@acealabama.org.

"Heritage panel is an ideal way to empower middle school or high school students to be leaders in making their school a more welcoming place. additionally, educators get crucial support and new tools to teach conflict management."

Ambassador Heritage Panel Schools

Alabama School of Fine Arts - 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021

Advent Episcopal School - 2017

Bessemer City High School - 2024, 2025

Build Up-Ensley - 2020

Bumpus Middle - 2012, 2016

Bush Hills STEAM Academy - 2020

GW Carver High - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022

Center Street Middle - 2011, 2013

Central High School - 2022

Chelsea High School - 2015

Clay-Chalkville High School - 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019

Cornerstone School - 2013

Erwin High - 2010

Fairfield High - 2013

Gardendale High School - 2011, 2012, 2014

Hewitt-Trussville High School - 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School - 2014, 2015, 2016

Hueytown High - 2009, 2011

Huffman High - 2016

Homewood High School - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014

Homewood Middle School -2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Irondale Middle - 2016, 2017

Indian Springs High School - 2010, 2011, 2019

Jackson-Olin - 2010, 2011

John Carroll Catholic High School - 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022

Jones Valley Middle School - 2019

Leeds High School - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Leeds Middle - 2016

Minor High School - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017

Montevallo High - 2021

Moody High School - 2015

Mountain Brook High School - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019

New Hope High School - 2012, 2013, 2014

New Horizon - 2013

Parker High - 2012, 2013

Pinson Valley High School - 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021

Pleasant Grove High School - 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018

Ramsay High School - 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022

Simmons Middle School - 2018, 2019

Spain Park High School - 2018

The Altamont School - 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Thompson High - 2017

T.R. Simmons Elementary School - 2015

Wilkerson Middle - 2011

Wenonah High - 2010, 2011, 2016

Woodlawn High School - 2010, 2014