A group of Pella third and fourth grade students have been getting extra attention this fall semester — but not necessarily for bad grades or low test scores. They have been working on social-emotional learning with Central College students and faculty in the Little Dutch Academy.

Director of Education at Central College Jen Diers says the goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to develop social and emotional learning skills through activities in science, technology, engineering and math in a fun, engaging way. Upper-level teacher education students at Central plan and implement all activities for students under the direction and supervision of Diers and other faculty in the department, while students in introductory education classes are serving as assistants in the program.

“This has been a dream of our program for some time. It’s the perfect avenue for our future teachers to practice their skills while also fostering a love of science and bolstering social emotional skills in students. The importance of this is only heightened following the impact of the COVID pandemic on education,” Diers says. “The Central Little Dutch Academy will benefit the Pella students, our upper-level students and provide a space for our introductory students to explore the field of education right here on Central’s campus.”

While the first round of students finish up this week, there is a contractual agreement to continue through the remaining 2021-22 academic year and have a new group of third and fourth graders coming in January. Hear more about the project in a two-part Let’s Talk Pella today and tomorrow.