A new and improved Lions Educating Others (LEO) has returned to Tallwood for the 2018-2019 school year, with more sessions than ever.

“There are more LEO sessions; last year I think there were eight so we have doubled it so that there’s sixteen; it’s almost twice per month. Some of the lessons are driven by a curriculum that the Department of Teaching and Learning created,” stated Tallwood Principal Dr. Avila.

Over the past year, LEO has been a hot topic. From the variety of students that the Roaring Gazette surveyed, a majority of them liked LEO, saying that it gave them multiple opportunities to express themselves. The Roaring Gazette also spoke with teachers and administrators, and they all seemed to be on-board and happy with the program. 

“I love the idea of LEO. It gives the students a great deal of opportunities, a variety of peers, and new teachers to talk to. It gives the school a chance to enhance what we’ve already started,” stated Mrs. Bond.

Although LEO seems like a good program to the city, the some students think otherwise. All of them had something to suggest that could change the way it runs. Some suggested incorporating more games and making it more useful instead of just talking about goals and sitting until it was over. One student, Torrie Spears, said that the students should stay with one teacher all four years instead of switching. This may be helpful to some but not to all. In her case, she absolutely loved the idea of having the same teacher.

“She was helpful and actually cared,” said Spears.

“LEO helps students have a different person in their corner and they are able to learn their goals and fears,” stated Ms. Spears. This gives students access to a trusted adult that will help them academically and emotionally.

“For ninth and tenth graders, it’s a lot of goal-setting and getting them to think about what they want to do academically, and then for the eleventh and twelfth graders you’ll find it’s more career or job-centered or academic-centered,” explained Dr. Avila.

This variety in the lessons illustrates how once students pass on to the next grade they will learn about something different. Whether it be career-centered or academic-centered, students will still be learning about important material.

Many students don’t think about the future or how their lives can change in a matter of seconds. Figuring out what they want to be and want to do is beneficial to students’ success in this world, and LEO helps allow them to do that.

To combat the complaints students have had, LEO should be improving with each session that the school has. It offers an array of topics and help, which gives students help and support from multiple teachers across their four years of attending this school. With the revised program, students are able to improve their lives.