By: Lydia Otten
The New Haven School District offers an A+ Program to all of its high schoolers. They can complete their 50 hours by helping during summer school or during the school year at the elementary school. The A+ Program allows high schoolers to interact with younger students and get a feel for being in an elementary classroom.
A recent survey was sent out to all of the elementary teachers, Principal Kasi Meyer, and Mr. Doug Peirick, A+ coordinator and high school counselor. They were asked a series of questions consisting of their thoughts on the benefits of the program, their favorite part of it, and anything students have done to stick out to them.
Mr. Peirick talked about his thoughts on the program. “I think it is a great program that is designed to help students pay for part of their college education.”
Mrs. Jana Albers, one of the first grade teachers, commented, “I think it's a Win-Win opportunity for the participant, the teacher, and the students in the classroom.”
Mrs. Kimberly Monzyk, reading recovery and early literacy teacher, said, “I think it is a great program and it's such a wonderful opportunity for students. It was not a thing when I graduated from high school, but it was for my sisters and they benefited greatly!”
Ms. Kate Unnerstall, 6th grade teacher, talked about the benefits of the program: “The high school students receive the benefits of a cheaper education in college, plus they have the experience of helping younger students. The elementary students receive the benefit of possible one-on-one support with questions or difficulties they may be having.”
She also continued, saying, “My favorite part is [when] the older kids and the younger kids sometimes build a relationship with each other.”
Mrs. Kerri Otten, 2nd grade teacher, also gave her opinions about the program: “I think it is a Win-Win for the teachers, students, and the high schoolers. The teachers get extra help in the classroom, the younger students get the one-on-one help from the high schoolers, and the high schoolers get the experience of being in the classroom. I have been fortunate enough to have my own kids as my cadets. I like having them there because it lets me spend time during the day with them and I get to boss them around.”
Mrs. Melissa Frick, 6th grade teacher, voiced her opinion by saying, “Students can save a significant amount of money by using A+ money in college. For students who are interested in an education major, being an A+ cadet can be a great experience.”
When Mrs. Kasi Meyer, elementary principal, was asked about the benefits of the program she talked about how the students have high standards and they have to maintain them to earn the full benefits of the program.
The last question asked was about if there was anything high school students have done in the program that stuck out to them. Most of the teachers gave general stories of students building relationships with others and just jumping into help where needed, but there were a couple of teachers that gave answers that were a little different.
Mrs. Tammy Beers, 2nd grade teacher, said she likes “Seeing high school students really connect with elementary students. High school students going above and beyond what is expected of them. Bringing elementary students ‘treats’ for holidays.”
Mrs. Otten voiced, “My favorite is when the high school students come into the classroom and help out even when it is not expected of them, especially during Christmas parties. I also like when the high school students build relationships with the younger students or when the younger students see the high school students out in the community and see them as a friend because they are happy to see them.”
As you can see, the elementary teachers are very fond of this program, and some say it is a great program to join. Keep up the great work, New Haven.
The New Haven School District offers an A+ Program to all of its high schoolers. They can complete their 50 hours by helping during summer school or during the school year at the elementary school. The A+ Program allows high schoolers to interact with younger students and get a feel for being in an elementary classroom.
A recent survey was sent out to all of the elementary teachers, Principal Kasi Meyer, and Mr. Doug Peirick, A+ coordinator and high school counselor. They were asked a series of questions consisting of their thoughts on the benefits of the program, their favorite part of it, and anything students have done to stick out to them.
Mr. Peirick talked about his thoughts on the program. “I think it is a great program that is designed to help students pay for part of their college education.”
Mrs. Jana Albers, one of the first grade teachers, commented, “I think it's a Win-Win opportunity for the participant, the teacher, and the students in the classroom.”
Mrs. Kimberly Monzyk, reading recovery and early literacy teacher, said, “I think it is a great program and it's such a wonderful opportunity for students. It was not a thing when I graduated from high school, but it was for my sisters and they benefited greatly!”
Ms. Kate Unnerstall, 6th grade teacher, talked about the benefits of the program: “The high school students receive the benefits of a cheaper education in college, plus they have the experience of helping younger students. The elementary students receive the benefit of possible one-on-one support with questions or difficulties they may be having.”
She also continued, saying, “My favorite part is [when] the older kids and the younger kids sometimes build a relationship with each other.”
Mrs. Kerri Otten, 2nd grade teacher, also gave her opinions about the program: “I think it is a Win-Win for the teachers, students, and the high schoolers. The teachers get extra help in the classroom, the younger students get the one-on-one help from the high schoolers, and the high schoolers get the experience of being in the classroom. I have been fortunate enough to have my own kids as my cadets. I like having them there because it lets me spend time during the day with them and I get to boss them around.”
Mrs. Melissa Frick, 6th grade teacher, voiced her opinion by saying, “Students can save a significant amount of money by using A+ money in college. For students who are interested in an education major, being an A+ cadet can be a great experience.”
When Mrs. Kasi Meyer, elementary principal, was asked about the benefits of the program she talked about how the students have high standards and they have to maintain them to earn the full benefits of the program.
The last question asked was about if there was anything high school students have done in the program that stuck out to them. Most of the teachers gave general stories of students building relationships with others and just jumping into help where needed, but there were a couple of teachers that gave answers that were a little different.
Mrs. Tammy Beers, 2nd grade teacher, said she likes “Seeing high school students really connect with elementary students. High school students going above and beyond what is expected of them. Bringing elementary students ‘treats’ for holidays.”
Mrs. Otten voiced, “My favorite is when the high school students come into the classroom and help out even when it is not expected of them, especially during Christmas parties. I also like when the high school students build relationships with the younger students or when the younger students see the high school students out in the community and see them as a friend because they are happy to see them.”
As you can see, the elementary teachers are very fond of this program, and some say it is a great program to join. Keep up the great work, New Haven.
RSS Feed