Success Story
New Middle School Program More Relevant to Students
Monica Stein, Seventh-Grade Teacher
St. Francis of Assisi School
Burien, WA
Monica Stein used the original SECOND STEP program for middle school when she taught seventh grade in the past. This year and last, she’s been piloting the brand-new SECOND STEP Middle School Program with her seventh-grade class. When asked how the new compares, Stein responds: “Compared to the old program, there’s no comparison. It’s more up to date, more relevant to students.”
“The students really responded favorably to the new program. They looked forward to it. Like, ‘Oh, good. Are we gonna do “SECOND STEP” today?’...I never had trouble keeping class order during the lessons…My students loved all the videos and they really liked the interviews with real students.”
Stein likes the program because “it was easy to teach and not a burden at all. I wasn’t having to invent ways to make it interesting…There’s a lot of different teaching strategies so it kept things moving…I like the variety in all the lessons and that it doesn’t feel stagnant…it kept me interested along with the kids.”
In regards to her class, she says: “My students are able to work better in a group as a result of the program…They actually listened to each other and they know what that looks like and feels like…the fact that they’ve had to stop and reflect about working together makes them better group participants.”
The relevance of the program to the students' lives made a difference too. “The issues talked about in the program are relevant to things students are experiencing…I think intuitively they want to have skills to deal with these things and they don’t want them to be problems.”
Stein cites one student in particular who benefited. “There was one girl that was always known for being one of the mean girls. She worked really hard last year to change her image; she was one of the most enthusiastic about the program and took it all to heart.”
In closing, Stein says: “I would highly recommend this program…[It] not only helps kids stay away from drugs or alcohol, but it also helps them academically because if they feel safe in their classroom then they’re able to concentrate better. It creates a safe atmosphere, one where students can work together…with a diverse group of people.”