An academic goal that was set for Notre Dame Regional High School during the school’s 2022 strategic plan was to create a diversified curriculum that promotes academic excellence and supports students for life beyond high school. The school was given the objectives of incorporating life skills throughout curricular and extracurricular offerings, and exploring ways to provide practical, trade-based educational opportunities.

To start the process of expanding its life skills curriculum, the Notre Dame administration surveyed parents to help hone in on the life skills they desire their children to learn in school. Additionally, faculty were surveyed to determine what skills were already being incorporated in their class or extracurricular activity to get a baseline on skills already being taught.

Through these surveys and curricular review, the school identified ways in which it could increase needed life skills for students. Because of that process, Notre Dame started year one of a four-year life skills curriculum during the 2024-2025 school year, highlighting personal finance, interpersonal communication, job skills and more. Beginning with the class of 2028, a Life Skills/Careers course will be a graduation requirement taught at the junior level.

Principal Paul Unterreiner and other faculty attended the Show-Me Careers: Educator Experience program two summers ago. The program, hosted by the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Missouri Chamber Foundation, rootEd Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provided faculty with a firsthand opportunity to see regional career pathways, which helped create the framework for the new Life Skills/Career course.

“Through employer tours, discussions and immersive activities, our faculty saw the need for a more structured approach to career readiness within our curriculum,” said Unterreiner. “The experience reinforced the importance of preparing students for real-world success by integrating essential life skills, career planning, and industry connections into their education.”

Amy Neal teaches the Life Skills/Careers course, which provides a comprehensive curriculum for students to learn basic information and practical skills related to topics like career preparation, life management, clothing and textiles, and housing.

Neal said that she is excited to continue to develop a path for students to have hands-on, real-world skills. This includes a variety of skills like learning how to make food, creating cover letters, resumes, participating in mock interviews, and exploring different career options.

Life skills are also a main focus of extracurricular activities like Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). These organizations have continually had life skills components, but are expanding opportunities for students.

In FBLA, students learn leadership, communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, networking, financial literacy and critical thinking; preparing members for successful careers in business.

Students that participate in FCCLA not only gain skills from their projects and competitions, but also by running the organization. FCCLA chapters are designed to be student run, where students hold monthly meetings, plan activities and determine their monthly service project. Members are also responsible for marketing their organization and recruiting new students.

While exploring more practical and trade-based opportunities for students, the school’s bell schedule was identified as a barrier to fulfilling those objectives.

The school developed a modified bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year to accommodate more trade-based learning at the Cape Career & Technology Center. Students have the ability to attend the CTC part-time during the school day to take hands-on courses in a variety of fields.

“Going into our second year of the double rotation bell schedule, we have seen a significant increase in the number of students who are accessing programs at the CTC. Additionally, students are able to be more successful in the classroom at ND because of the continuity of their daily schedule. It’s a win-win for students and teachers,” said Notre Dame Director of Curriculum Amanda Mueth.

CTC courses range from Digital Media to Automotive Technology, Construction Technology, Practical Nursing, Welding and more.

Mueth said, “With every CTC advisory we attend, we hear more about the ways the CTC continues to provide high quality programming for area students. They prepare individuals to meet industry standards for the workforce and build a strong foundation to advance their education. They also facilitate opportunities for our students to make connections with local employers and the community through Workforce Wednesday, mock interviews and more.”

The modified bell schedule also better allows for community partnership opportunities in the classroom.

Neal takes advantage of that opportunity. “I love to bring in community members and talk about different jobs and careers students could have once they graduate,” she said.

“Adjusting the bell schedule was a crucial step in ensuring our students have greater access to career and technical education opportunities, as well as industry professionals who can provide invaluable insights,” said Unterreiner. “By making it easier to incorporate guest speakers, workshops, and partnerships with local businesses, we’re giving students a more dynamic and relevant education. This change aligns perfectly with our mission to equip students with the skills and experiences they need to thrive beyond high school.”