Diane Barrett-Curtis has been volunteering with students and teachers at Justus Gage Elementary for quite some time.

She began working with our students at Justus Gage during the fall of the 2011-12 school year.

I can remember when I was a fifth-grade teacher, and she would work with individuals and small groups during my reading centers. Mrs. Barrett-Curtis was like a second reading teacher for my students, and would also bring in special treats during the holidays for all of my students.

For the current school year, she is working with four classroom teachers: Sarah Proctor, Cari Soderbloom, Alison Yeo and Sarah Hodge.

Diane has also worked with several other teachers and grade levels throughout the past five years at Justus Gage.

Mrs. Barrett-Curtis works with small groups in Mrs. Soderbloom’s third-grade classroom, reading chapter books that help support classroom curriculum such as the “Horrible Harry” and “Magic Treehouse” books. Diane was also willing to help with a third-grade Owl Pellet exploration.

“She is an amazing person and is willing to help out where and when she is needed,” Soderbloom said. “I feel very blessed that she is willing to help us out.”

When Diane is working with second graders from Ms. Proctor’s class, she reads one-on-one with two different students. She provides support and helps the students build their love of reading.

The whole class is excited to see Mrs. Barrett-Curtis when she walks into the classroom.

“Mrs. Barrett-Curtis also comes on our field trips and is a great chaperone for our students,” Proctor said. “We are incredibly lucky to have her as a volunteer.”

“It’s fun to read to Mrs. Curtis and to pick out books,” said Jaeleah, a second-grade student. “I get to read ‘The Secret Kitten.’”

Third-grade teacher Alison Yeo is also very fortunate to have Diane volunteer in her classroom. Besides having students reap the benefits of Diane’s love for reading, “She is also willing to do math or help students in any way that is needed,” Yeo said.

“She is someone who has come back year after year and that is so awesome for me and our students to have someone we can count on.”

Diane Barrett-Curtis, your efforts throughout the past six years have not gone unnoticed.  You are a very important part of the Justus Gage family, as well as the community of Dowagiac.

Thanks for all that you do for both the youth and the entire community of Dowagiac.

Bryan Henry

Principal, Justus Gage
Elementary School