A "Living Library" was held at Huron Centennial Public School (HCS) recently, giving Grade 7 and 8 students the opportunity to learn different perspectives, careers, and ways of life.
Students from HCS, Hullet Central Public School, and Seaforth Public School also attended.
"It's called a living library because we invite people from the community," said Sonya Brady, a Grade 7 teacher at HCS.
The volunteers included farmers, probation officers, OPP, politicians, fitness trainers, and recovering addicts.
"We wanted the kids to understand that people come from all different walks of life and everybody has their own trials and tribulations," said Brady. "Lots of people here are telling stories about how their path in life hasn't exactly been what they thought it would be and they've had to make adjustments through their lives, both positive and negative."
Through the conversations and the students being able to ask questions, it opens their eyes to all the possibilities.
"I think kids just need to know that there are opportunities, whether it's volunteer opportunities, career opportunities, or just life opportunities," she said.
Brady added that the message they wanted to send home with kids is when you keep your doors open, things will come in.
Many teachers overheard the kids on the playground talking with each other about what they learned, completely unprompted by staff.
