For the first time, the REACH department has launched the Rother Program, an academic support program for students with learning disabilities who have more extensive support needs.
Modeled after a similar program at Bishop Kelley, it aims to teach students practical skills they will use in their adult lives, to assist in traditional classroom settings, and to prepare them for alternative college programs offered by universities.
Student Accessibility Services Coordinator Samantha Watson says the school has had facilities for academic support in the past, but not at the level of the Rother Program, which is something she wished to change.
“This is my passion,” Watson said. “I’ve been in special education for almost the past 10 years, and this has always been my dream to start something like this at McGuinness.”
Because the program differs from the school’s traditional college preparatory track, students earn a certificate of completion after concluding an individualized curriculum based on their needs.
Peer Mentor Patrick Flinn was selected for the program based on his attendance, grade point average and graduation credits.
Flinn says he thought the program deserved his attention when he was approached by the counseling department as a possible candidate.
“I was excited to have that experience because I thought it would help me out later in life,” Flinn said.
Flinn’s job as a mentor is to work with Program Coordinator Jade Carter to help his mentee with situational math and practical skills.
“He’s doing a different kind of math than what they’re doing,” Flinn said. “They’re doing place value and algebra, and he’s doing more like calendars and money math, practical things that you like, need to know.
Another Peer Mentor, Reagan Morrow, says she is excited to get involved in the program.
“I think it will be a really great thing to help bring people into the school,” Morrow said.
Carter says he enjoys being around young people every day and being able to help.
“Being able to learn from these teachers — the different and fascinating ways that they can assist those kids — it just kind of keeps me going,” Carter said. “It’s exciting, so I enjoy it. I love it.”
Although they want to grow the program in the future, Carter says the program, which currently serves two students, will ultimately need to remain small for the remainder of the school year in order to serve each student on an individual level.
Carter added that the REACH department plans to improve the recruitment process for peer mentorship opportunities.
“I’d like people to know more about it so that we can continue to grow our mentor pool, just in case we add more students in the future,” Carter said “We want more people to be interested.”
