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Building Confidence is Key to Success for REACH Students

Diana Schumacher, a REACH teacher, prepares her students for ninth grade by incorporating life skills and character education activities in her lessons.

As part of our "Alternatives in Education" series, we're talking to the people closest to Parkway School District's six alternative programs. This week, we asked Diana Schumacher, a teacher in the REACH Program, a few questions. REACH is a , housed at the Instructional Services Center, for struggling eighth-grade students.

Chesterfield Patch: What is your background in education?

Diana Schumacher: I've taught for 21 years, all in the Parkway schools. I joined the REACH program when it began four years ago.

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Patch: Were you involved in developing the program?

Schumacher: I was. When the district chose to provide this alternative program, we worked to decide what it would look like and how we could adapt the normal eighth-grade curriculum to meet the needs of REACH students. It was a journey to create a whole new program.

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Patch: What are the challenges faced by students in your classes? 

Schumacher: Each student has a different story to tell. Many need individual or small group attention, some need to learn how to be a student. Other students feel lost in the regular school setting.

Patch: As a teacher, how do you address these problems and set students on the road to success?

Schumacher: I work to find the reasons students are struggling.  Success begins by building trust and relationships with students and showing them that they are talented and capable of succeeding in school.

Patch: What are the strengths of this alternative program?

Schumacher: The small class size—I have about 12 students in my communication arts and social studies classes. We also have a dedicated staff and administration who believe in these students.

Patch: Is the program graduating students who will be successful in their transition to ninth grade? 

Schumacher: We feel the program is successful in building confidence in students. They are able to move to their regular high school and do well. Teachers and administrators here check up on our former students. And our director, Mr. Barolak, is instrumental in keeping data and following our students.

Patch: What might be on your wish list for the REACH program?

Schumacher: I wish we could replicate this type of program for more students, expand it to sixth and seventh grade and eventually create programs for elementary students. One-size-fits-all education doesn't work for everyone.

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