08/18/2026
👏 2026 Back-to-School Staff Development Retreat 👏
One for the books! Before we step into classrooms and schools across the state this year, our team spent two days at our Shoals office learning, collaborating, serving, and preparing to create even more meaningful experiences for students.
A great mentor is about more than knowing our programs. It’s about understanding the students we serve, communicating effectively, working as a team, and recognizing the challenges students may carry with them into the classroom each day.
Here’s a look at how our team prepared for the 2026–2027 school year….
📚 We spent more than three hours reviewing program updates, exchanging ideas, and identifying new ways to make our hands-on learning experiences even more engaging, educational, and impactful for students.
🤝 Our team visited the Shoals Dream Center to learn more about challenges families and students in our community may face. We then put that learning into action by serving together in the Distribution Area, giving our mentors a deeper understanding of the circumstances that can affect a student’s ability to learn, participate, and connect.
🔐 At the Florence Escape Room, our team put collaboration into practice by working through challenges that required critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and teamwork- all skills our mentors use when working with students. And, we beat the clock!
🎨 An icebreaker painting activity challenged our team to think creatively while learning more about one another. It was a fun reminder that creativity can break down barriers, build relationships, and create an environment where people feel comfortable participating.
🎒The activity “What’s In My Backpack?” encouraged our team to look beyond what we see on the surface. We explored some of the emotional and personal challenges students may carry with them each day and discussed how mentors can make a positive impact.
💚 We connected with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals to learn more about the lasting impact a positive adult mentor can have on a young person. The conversation reinforced the idea that sometimes one encouraging, consistent adult can make a tremendous difference in a student's confidence and future.
✏️ Through a drawing-based team challenge, our mentors experienced firsthand how easily information can be misunderstood and how important clear instructions are.
And, of course, there were plenty of smiles and laughs along the way!
We are incredibly grateful for the mentors who make Reach and Teach possible. They don't simply show students how to operate equipment, market an event, create a production, or explore a career. They create opportunities for students to learn by doing, build confidence, discover their strengths, develop real-world skills, and see possibilities for their futures they may have never considered before.
Our team has done the learning. We've done the planning. We've strengthened our skills. Now we're ready to put it all into action.
2026–2027 school year, Reach and Teach is ready for you! 💛🤍🖤
