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Evangeline ReImagine Academy adopts hands-on approach to learning
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VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY) -- An Evangeline Parish middle school has a new approach to learning that gives students innovative solutions for the future.
The Evangeline Reimagine Academy teaches students a hands on approach to learning. Here, students have the unique opportunity to explore subjects like gaming, arts, communication, farming and culinary arts.
Ethan Zang, an eighth grade student, chose the gaming zone, and for 2 years he's been working in real-world situations to make his dream of working in that industry a reality.
"It helps improve our critical thinking and problem solving, and it gives us the opportunity to get better at a job we want to do when we grow up." Zang said. "I like game designs, and designing games, because I think it's fun."
Stephan LeCaze, the Gaming Zone instructor, shared the importance of having subjects like gaming in the curriculum.
"The goal of our zone is how can we take this and make it into a career? Maybe. How can we find a high school path that can follow this interest? How can we make it to college and follow this interest?" LeCaze said.
Liz Chatelain, the Reimagine Grant Coordinator and Secondary Supervisor said along with her staff, they were tasked with the challenge of creating a middle school that could change a population.
"The objectives were to create better, not only educate and hit core academics, but to create better citizens, to instill an entrepreneurial spirit, to have these kids become financially literate and be very connected to their communities." Chatelain said.
Alice LeJeune, the principal, said the real world approach to learning is what sets the students apart.
"The kinesthetic learners get a good vibe when they come here because they're not just sitting here learning about math, English, science and social studies." LeJeune said. "It's yes, I'm learning about that, but how am I going to apply it to real world? How am I going to make it relative?"
By having this learning experience, the hope is students like Ethan will leave a new legacy for rural communities like this one and others.