This week on WCTE’s Get Ready To Learn radio show, join RTL Project Manager Cindy Putman as she has a special co-host Brenda Hughett. Putman and Hughett discuss the Putnam County Schools’ LEAPs and 21st Century Programs. They also share some special memories about teachers who had an important impact in their lives.

In this week’s show, Putman and Hughett talk also about the importance of providing children with the opportunities both before and after school through intentionally selected programs.

LEAPs and 21st Century Programs services children who are educationally and economically disadvantaged. The great news is that this service is provided free of charge to the children and their families. Last year in the Putnam County School System’s LEAPs and 21st Century Program, 1440 children were serviced 30 days or more.

Hughett, who is the Extended Learning LEAPS and 21st Century Program Director for Putnam County Schools, works year-round to plan the opportunities for the students. She partners with many outside organizations to make sure that these children are being provided with quality Educational Learning opportunities. Hughett says, “Hats off to all her LEAPS and 21st Century workers!”

Last week was “After School Professionals’ Week” and this week is “Teacher Appreciation Week.” Hughett went on to say that without the support of the qualified personnel, her programs would not be able to run as effectively and efficiently.

Many things are exciting about the LEAPs program. One thing that was discussed was that Parkview Elementary has a Kindergarten teacher who conducts Kindergarten LEAPs classes for her students two days a week. This teacher selects specific skills that her Kindergarten students need to help them be successful in the classroom and prepare them for first grade.  

Putman also shared about an exciting program that she is working on with the LEAPs and 21st Century students. The program is called Cyberchase Step It Up!  Students were all given pedometers and each day they are competing against themselves to increase the number of steps taken.

At Capshaw Elementary School, a rainy day threatened to keep kids inside, but the students wanted to walk so the LEAPs teachers created a way for them to walk in the hallways and get their steps in. Later on, several students stood in the cafeteria reading library books while walking in place. They were inspired and determined to make sure that they got in their steps for the day and beat their records from the day before.

The teachers in LEAPs and 21st Century are also using the curriculum materials provided by the PBS KIDS program Cyberchase.  Each day Monday through Friday at 3:30, students can tune into WCTE and help the Cyberchasers solve all of the problems that happen on this PBS KIDS show. LEAPs  is not just about academics, there are also strings classes for violins and cellos. There are robotics classes, ballet classes, art and music classes provided to increase the brainpower of these students.

Putman grew up in Cookeville and attended Parkview Elementary School where Brenda later was a teacher.  Putman reminisced about the wonderful staff that had such an impact on her life Mr. Ferrell, Mr. Loftis, Miss Street, and one of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Charlene Huddleston.

Memories quickly came to the surface as these two educators discussed teachers who had such powerful impact on their lives.  They especially remembered times they spent as teachers when students seemed to appreciate their efforts and energy to help them.

Teachers love homemade cards as well as pictures children have drawn, and most of all hugs. So if there was a teacher in your life or in your child's life who has an impact, take time this week to let them know the difference they made.

Check out PBS parents for ways that you and your child could say a big thank you to their teacher!

Some of these include writing a special note or creating a one-of-a-kind work of art. You might also want to create a sign and have the students in the class take photos holding it, and create a big collage for the teacher.

And don’t forget to thank all the wonderful support staff who help teachers do their jobs! Janitors, the lunch lady/man, school secretary, the librarian to name a few could all use a note of thanks for all they do to help our schools and kids. Their jobs often go unseen yet they play an important role in our children's growth.

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Tune in each Saturday morning at 9:30 for the WCTE Get Ready To Learn Radio Show, with host Cindy Putman on Zimmer Broadcasting's The HUB 107.7 FM and 1400 AM.