We are almost halfway through summer and in the midst of preparing for a very busy 2026-2027 school year with an updated evidence-based program that we currently use in the classroom, Too Good for Drugs, that has recently been renamed Maximizing Life. We are very pleased with the name change, as well as the more relevant and updated changes we have seen in the curriculum. Drug trends and the way pre-teen and teens interact with each other and with adults have evolved. These new updates have reflected much of what has changed including more emphasis on smokeless tobacco products like Zyn which are much more prevalent on middle school and high school campuses. The role plays and scenarios (part of the activities throughout the lessons) are much more relatable to the students and their individual age groups.
As our educators become familiar with the new lessons and all the changes needed to begin fall, they also spend time preparing for the first week of school which for each first class (which in the fall can be up to 30 classes for one educator) by making copies of the pre-test which is a knowledge test given on the first day and last day (same questions) that checks students’ knowledge of the information when they come into the program as well as when they leave the program. This checks for the efficacy of the program, and we are also able to gather data on what the educator does well in the classroom as well as what they can work on for future cohorts.
They also put together a “goody bag” of items for each student usually comprising of a canvas pencil bag, a pencil, highlighter, and a new surprise item this year! These are useful items for the students that can be used throughout the program and in their regular classes. This can be very time-consuming as we can serve 1000 students every fall (and that number is growing every year)!
In the meantime, they are also trying to come up with new and exciting ways to teach the lessons in the Maximizing Life program while sticking to the fidelity of the Mendez Foundation program. Whether it’s a new PowerPoint or a Cahoot! game, or maybe a group activity that can be both educational, fun, and fit into a 40–42-minute time frame, they are always thinking of new and innovative ways to educate students but also make it something that will resonate with them for the rest of their lives.
An educator’s life is nonstop during the school year, even sometimes going into the evenings with Parent Engagement Nights and Open Houses, where the educators will present the Hidden in Plain Sight mock-teen bedroom that parents can walk through and see all the stash items, drug paraphernalia, and drug symbolism that they may not be aware of in their own teen’s bedroom.
It doesn’t stop in the summer as it does for most teachers—UPC’s educators must help assist on county and state reports, attend community events, keep up on trainings, and prepare for the whole upcoming year (because there is rarely any time in between fall and spring to do any preparation, so most of it must be prepared during the summer as well). An educator’s job is never done!
Now that you’ve had a glimpse of what an educator is doing during the summer months, it’s time to find out some fun information about each of our three educators!
Olivia Depuy, Prevention Educator
- How long have you been with Ulster Prevention Council? 1 year
- In your own words, what is it that you do? I teach the Maximizing Life program, co-facilitate Positive Action, and help run social media and community events.
- If you could explain your job in one word, what would that word be? Rewarding.
- Why do you do the work that you do? To help children make informed decisions.
- What is your favorite part of your job? My coworkers.
- Can you tell me a memorable story from the classroom? Playing interactive games in all the classrooms.
- If you wanted kids to walk away with one thing that you taught them, what would you want that to be? Mistakes you make now can impact your future.
- Now, some fun facts you can let us know! First, what is your favorite animal and why? Sea otter. They are really cute, they cuddle things while swimming on their backs, and they make cute little noises.
- What do you do for fun? Go Shopping.
- Tell us one unusual fact about yourself. I like ASMR.
- What are you known for in your office? Being funny.
- If people could describe you in one word, what would they say? Loyal.
- Why do you feel your work is so important? Because I can help people who you might not know need help.
- Any last words? Check out our Tik Tok @ulsterpreventioncouncil
Mikkel Kohn, Prevention Educator
- How long have you been with Ulster Prevention Council? 1½ months
- In your own words, what is it that you do? Preparing lesson plans for the Maximizing Life program to go into the classroom in the fall.
- If you could explain your job in one word, what would that word be? Rewarding.
- Why do you do the work that you do? To create a lasting impact in the classroom.
- What is your favorite part of your job? The people I am working with.
- Can you tell me a memorable story from the classroom? I am looking forward to creating memorable stories in the future.
- If you wanted kids to walk away with one thing that you taught them, what would you want that to be? Remember to make healthy and informed decisions for your future.
- Now, some fun facts you can let us know! First, what is your favorite animal and why? A jellyfish. They are pretty and unusual.
- What do you do for fun? I hang out with my cats.
- Tell us one unusual fact about yourself. I name my fish after fruits.
- What are you known for in your office? Bringing kiwis to work every day.
- If people could describe you in one word, what would they say? Determined.
- Why do you feel your work is so important? To be able to educate and inform the youth on social and emotional learning and being substance free in order for them to lead healthy lives.
- Any last words? Can’t wait for the school year to begin!
Sam Smith, Prevention Educator Intern
- How long have you been with Ulster Prevention Council? 2 ½ years
- In your own words, what is it that you do? I do prevention programming in the classroom, run social media pages, facilitate after-school youth empowerment groups, and I assist with community events.
- If you could explain your job in one word, what would that word be? Meaningful.
- Why do you do the work that you do? I want to be someone who is able to support the youth in helping make positive decisions for futures for themselves.
- What is your favorite part of your job? Working with students in the classroom.
- Can you tell me a memorable story from the classroom? The time that a student who I worked with as a 6th grader came back to me as a 7th grader and told me how much I had helped them.
- If you wanted kids to walk away with one thing that you taught them, what would you want that to be? To not let other people influence the decisions you make for yourself.
- Now, some fun facts you can let us know! First, what is your favorite animal and why? Cats. Because I have the most handsome gentlemen in the world: Goose and Behr (they are cats).
- What do you do for fun? Kickboxing.
- Tell us one unusual fact about yourself. I am afraid of white condiments.
- What are you known for in your office? Stickers.
- If people could describe you in one word, what would they say? Dramatic.
- Why do you feel your work is so important? Because not every student has the supports they need to learn the social and emotional skills they need to learn in the classroom.
- Any last words? Keep it classy, Ulster County!
I think we can see a common theme between all three educators–they are all very passionate about their jobs because they care about the future of the youth in Ulster County. They want to instill the social and emotional skills so that youth can make informed and healthy decisions for themselves now and in the future. “Rewarding” and “meaningful” are words they use to describe how they feel about their jobs and how they feel walking into the classroom every day when they work with the youth and educate them on goal setting, decision making, peer refusal strategies, and other social and emotional learning skills. These skills will stay with the youth into their adult lives when they have to make difficult decisions, whether with substance use or any other hard decision they may be facing.
After interviewing each educator, they went back to their rigorous schedule of prepping lessons, training, and preparing themselves for the beginning of the school year. I can feel the excitement in their voices when we were speaking about seeing the students and the anticipation of fall! It will be here before we know it. They are going to make it a powerful year!