When Athens State Dean of Education Debra Baird envisioned a Summer Enrichment Academy for kids, she never realized the quick actions of her department would lead to such a successful program.

“I visited the Summer Enrichment Academy at Tanner Elementary School,” said Baird. “I was absolutely impressed with what those folks were doing. Bravo to all involved for such hard work and such great response from the children!”

Co-supervisors for the program and Athens State University faculty members, Lisa Hyde and Rosemary Hodges, worked with Tanner principal Billy Owens to organize the eight-half-day pilot program and created an experience that was fun and educational for the students participating. The Summer Enrichment Academy targeted elementary school students in grades 3, 4 and 5 with each grade working under a separate curriculum.

“The third grade had a thematic topic of ‘A Bug's Life’ in their lessons,” explains Hyde. “In fourth grade, the students did an author study of the children's writer Patricia Polacco, and the fifth-graders integrated a study of fossils and dinosaurs into their reading curriculum. The program was very hands-on, discovery/inquiry oriented.”

Other Athens State faculty members involved in the project were Pat Kuby, Amanda Branscombe, Mary Harris, Bonnie Heatherly, Cathy Woodruff, Tina Sloan, and Darlene Turner-White. Athens State education students assisting were Allison Linick, Jessica Wathan, Shaina Stoddard, Amy Rosenblum, Nancy Ruff, Kellianna Brazier, Leanne Reed, Deborah Craft, Hannah Britton, and Kri'Shon Long.

Athens State president Bob Glenn thanks those involved. “Athens State is a great university precisely because we have professionals like these who go the extra mile to do the best job possible,” says Glenn. “I am proud of each of them for what they did.”

Tanner assistant principal Vince Green was so impressed with the program that his own third and fourth-grade children participated. “The Summer Enrichment Academy was a great opportunity to enhance our students’ reading skills,” stated Green. “We are able to offer a quality educational opportunity along with free breakfast and lunch to youth in the Tanner community. It was a great experience for the kids.”