Regina "Kitty" Bickford

It is possible to create a fun learning environment, even for students who are working toward correcting their behavior and disruption issues. Bickford's "G.A.M.E.S (Greater Achievement in Math, English and Science)" program is targeted to nearly 150 behaviorally at-risk students at Rolla Middle School. Many times, these students refuse to learn, disrupt classes, or are chronically truant and suspended. Four days per week during enrichment time and detention, the program will focus on core classes in math, English and science. The idea is to take the curriculum out of the textbook and put it into multimedia games and into a game show format using the latest technology. The core areas of learning will change weekly and the games will change daily. This creates a group learning environment where students can each learn from their mistakes and those of others. All participants will be able to compete for age-appropriate prizes depending on their level of involvement. Bickford lives in Rolla.