Explore.Act.Tell. Program: Teachers Spotlight

Amber Krumbholtz, School Counselor; Collette Jadis, Viking Alternative Program Teacher; and Judy Cohen, Social Worker, all led their dynamic team at Searsport District Middle High School of Regional School Unit 20 in Searsport, Maine. 

Q: Please describe your students’ project!

A: HUSH (Help Us Stop Hunger) is dedicated to ensuring that young children have access to meals over the weekend and maintaining a school-based food pantry for middle and high school students. Students in the Viking Alternative Program (V-Alt) at Searsport District High School play a key role in this effort by organizing, packing, and delivering weekend meal bags for children in Pre-K through grade 5. Additionally, V-Alt students manage inventory, place food orders through our partner, the Belfast Soup Kitchen, and coordinate food donations from the community.


Q: What did the students learn throughout the Explore.Act.Tell. Program?

A: The team has learned that by helping others, they are also helping themselves. Through overcoming obstacles and tackling new challenges, we've gained valuable insights, such as navigating the different classrooms we deliver to, learning new teachers' and students' names, and addressing students' special dietary needs.

As a result, V-Alt is evolving into more than just a group; we are becoming a close-knit family, learning to collaborate and support one another. We are continuously striving to function as a well-oiled team, working together more efficiently with each experience.