The Transforming Power of Extracurricular Activities

Presenters

• Karla K. Scales, Martinsville City Public SchoolsFollow
• Ama Waller, Martinsville City Public SchoolsFollow
• Eric Mitchell, Martinsville City Public SchoolsFollow

First Presenter's Highest Degree Earned

BA

Year First Presenter's Degree Was Awarded

2014

First Presenter's Field of Study

English

Institution Where First Presenter Received Highest Degree

Elizabeth City State University

First Presenter's Institution

Martinsville City Public Schools

First Presenter's Brief Bio and Description of Credentials for This Presentation

Karla K. Scales is a 6th-grade English teacher, PBIS Coach, and long-standing advocate for the transformative power of extracurricular involvement. With a lifelong foundation in the performing arts—beginning at age three and strengthened through her work in choirs, theater, mime, dance, and collegiate performance organizations—she has built her career around creating meaningful, student-centered opportunities outside the classroom. Karla serves as a lead choreographer and instructional partner with the MCPS Performing Arts Academy, where she has contributed to multiple musical theater productions and helped expand student access to high-quality arts education. At Martinsville Middle School, she plays a key leadership role in Bulldog Nation, supporting cheer, spirit, and performance programs that strengthen school culture and student engagement. As a PBIS Coach, she integrates these extracurricular experiences into a holistic framework that boosts student confidence, behavior, and belonging. Karla brings a strong, research-informed perspective on how extracurriculars elevate academic and social success.

Second Presenter's Institution

Martinsville City Public Schools

Second Presenter’s Email Address

[email protected]

Third Presenter's Institution

Eric Mitchell

Third Presenter’s Email Address

[email protected]

Location

Scarbrough 5

Document Type

Individual Presentation

Primary Strand

Restorative Practices

Relevance to Primary Strand

Extracurricular activities play a vital role in restorative practices by fostering a sense of community, belonging, and personal growth. At Martinsville Middle School, our engagement with Bulldog Nation and the Performing Arts Academy creates meaningful connections among students. These programs offer a safe space for self-expression, teamwork, and emotional development, empowering students to build confidence and resilience. By integrating these extracurricular experiences with PBIS strategies, we reinforce positive behaviors and nurture a supportive school climate. Ultimately, these activities not only enrich students’ lives but also help restore and strengthen the school community as a whole.

Alignment with School Improvement Plan Topics

Family and Community Engagement

Brief Program Description

What happens when extracurriculars are used with purpose? Schools thrive. Join us to discover how student-centered activities strengthen school climate, promote positive behavior, and create spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Walk away with practical strategies for connecting extracurricular programs to PBIS and restorative practices.

Summary

Let's uncover how extracurricular activities can be game-changers in fostering a restorative school climate. We’ll take a closer look at how these programs provide students with meaningful opportunities for personal growth, confidence-building, and teamwork. By integrating these activities with PBIS frameworks, we’ll see how positive behavior and strong relationships flourish.

We’ll also explore how engaging students in the school newspaper and poetry programs can empower them to express themselves, build literacy skills, and contribute to a vibrant school culture. Through these innovative approaches, we’ll highlight how extracurriculars not only enhance academic achievement but also help restore and strengthen our school community.

Evidence

Extracurricular activities have consistently shown their positive impact on students and school climate. Research indicates that students involved in extracurriculars, such as sports, arts, and clubs, report higher engagement and a stronger sense of connection to their school community. These students often achieve better academic outcomes and develop essential time-management skills. Moreover, data from PBIS frameworks show that participation in extracurriculars leads to fewer disciplinary incidents and better attendance. Activities like the school newspaper and poetry clubs empower students to build confidence, enhance communication skills, and feel a greater sense of belonging. Altogether, these activities not only enrich academic life but also help restore and strengthen the entire school community.

Learning Objective 1

learn how extracurricular activities contribute to improved student engagement, academic performance, and positive behavior by integrating them into the school culture.

Learning Objective 2

discover specific methods and approaches used in programs like PBIS, school clubs, extracurriculars, and the Performing Arts Academy to foster student growth and restorative practices.

Learning Objective 3

gain actionable insights on how to implement and sustain successful extracurricular programs that nurture a positive school environment and support holistic student development.

Start Date

6-2-2026 1:00 PM

End Date

6-2-2026 2:00 PM

Recommended Citation

Scales, Karla K.; Waller, Ama; and Mitchell, Eric, "The Transforming Power of Extracurricular Activities" (2026). Southeast Conference on School Climate. 57.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/secsc/2026/2026/57

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.