💛 Peer Helping at BEA – Positively Making a Difference
The Peer Helping Program at Blue Earth Area Schools began in 1981, founded by guidance counselors Craig Van Kley and Gary Armon. What started as a small tutoring effort has grown into a full K–12 program that empowers students to lead, support, and inspire one another.
Peer Helping plays an important role in creating a safe, caring, and supportive school culture. It encourages students to look out for one another and builds a community where everyone feels seen and valued. It’s truly a “win-win” program—both helpers and those they support benefit from the connection and experience.
The goal of Peer Helping is to develop leaders and role models who make a positive impact in our school and community. Students in grades 10–12 who are in good academic standing are invited to apply. Peer Helpers are trained to listen, encourage, and know when to connect someone with a trusted adult.
Peer Helpers take part in a variety of activities throughout the year, including peer tutoring, mentoring, classroom assistance, orientation guiding, and volunteer opportunities. They also help lead the Youth Frontiers retreats, such as the 5th Grade Kindness Retreat, 7th Grade Courage Retreat, and 9th Grade Respect Retreat, and participate in special projects like “Rhymes of the Times,” the sexual harassment prevention play.
The program directly supports our BUC PRIDE values:
Be Respectful – by listening and showing kindness
Be Responsible – by being dependable role models
Be Safe – by creating a trusted space for others
Through Peer Helping, students gain valuable life skills such as leadership, empathy, communication, problem-solving, time management, and confidence—skills that prepare them for the real world.
Their motto says it best:
“Peer Helping – Positively Making a Difference.”
You become a Peer Helper because you want to Be a Difference Maker.
⭐ Peer Helper Spotlight: Devin
Devin joined Peer Helping because he heard it would be fun — and he’s glad he did! Since becoming a Peer Helper, he says he has become more kind and more aware of others’ feelings and experiences.
One of his proudest moments was being part of Project TRUST. Devin is a great example of how one person can make a difference at BEA! 💛❤️
⭐ Peer Helper Spotlight: Sidney
Sidney became a Peer Helper because she has always wanted to be involved and make a difference at school. She says the program has helped her realize how much of an impact we can have on others just by being supportive and kind.
Through Peer Helping, Sidney has learned that everyone can be a leader in their own way — and that each of us has the ability to be a positive role model at BEA. 💛❤️
⭐ Peer Helper Spotlight: Ayla
Ayla became a Peer Helper because she loves helping others and wants every student to feel valued. She says the program has helped her become someone others can feel comfortable and safe around.
Ayla has learned that everyone has the power to make a difference. Even the smallest act of kindness can spread far beyond what we see. 💛❤️
⭐ Peer Helper Spotlight: Alexis
Alexis chose to become a Peer Helper because she loves helping others and being involved at school. Through the program, she has learned that even when it doesn’t seem like a big deal, helping someone can make a meaningful impact.
One moment she is especially proud of was during 5th Grade VIP Day, when she stepped in to spend time with a student who didn’t have a parent present. She made them smile — and that student still says hi when they see her. A small act of kindness can last a long time! 💛❤️
⭐ Peer Helper Spotlight: Reed
Reed joined the Peer Helper program on a friend’s suggestion and quickly found it rewarding. “I had a lot of fun in peer helping,” he said.
Being a Peer Helper has helped Reed be more open to others and shown him how much of an impact kindness can have. One of his proudest moments was the Respect Retreat, where he helped get students involved in the activities.
