Tom Murphy, founder and director of Sweethearts and Heroes, leads an assembly at Howard L. Goff Middle School on Thursday, November 21.
An amazing duo of superheroes without capes, including a Purple Heart recipient, visited Howard L. Goff Middle School on Thursday to teach students and educators how they can activate compassion, empathy and HOPE in their classrooms — and beyond.
Former professional mixed martial artist Tom Murphy and Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh from Sweethearts & Heroes offered three grade-level presentations, small discussion groups with students and faculty called Circle, and then a staff discussion group after dismissal.
“Sweethearts & Heroes doesn’t focus on creating another SEL (social-emotional learning) or Human Skills curriculum,” said Mr. Murphy. “Instead, we implement practices and habits that genuinely empower and nurture students’ growth. When people genuinely connect on a daily basis, they naturally develop the capacity for more meaningful interactions and thoughtful responses. Prioritizing human skills shouldn’t require extra preparation or a separate curriculum — it should be our primary focus. After all, before we can effectively teach academic subjects, we must first be teachers of humanity.”
Rick Yarosh from Sweethearts and Heroes leading a Circle session with students in the Goff Middle School library.
Mr. Murphy engaged with students during the assemblies and actually provided training for how they can be active bystanders to help peers who are being bullied.
During one exercise, Mr. Murphy acted as a bully towards a student. Two other Goff students, dressed as superheroes wearing green bath towels as capes and white swimmer’s caps and swimming goggles on their heads, took turns intervening to help their classmate. The demonstration showed how students who witness bullying can take action to help someone else.
Sweethearts & Heroes also worked with East Greenbush students and educators in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Sweethearts & Heroes for many years,” said Goff Middle School Interim Principal James McHugh. “Their message of kindness and hope has left a positive impact on our school-community every time. Having the opportunity to have Sweethearts & Heroes work with our students and staff directly aligns to our mission of putting students first.”
For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “‘the stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students in school districts from New England to Hawaii and north into Canada. Sweethearts & Heroes also tailors its presentations and workshops for businesses, nonprofits and civic groups. Murphy said, “We go where we’re needed. That’s what heroes do.”
For more information on Sweethearts & Heroes, visit: sweetheartsandheroes.com.
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