TEACHER'S CORNER: CLASS TEACHES LIFE SKILLS STUDENTS USE EVERY DAY

Roberta Grojean used to teach home economics. She now teaches family-and-consumer science.

The name was changed to reflect the expanded scope of the class, said Grojean, who has taught the course for 31 years. Grojean has taught at Delta High School for 28 years.

In her family-and-consumer science class, students learn life skills needed every day.

"Our goal is to help students become more productive individuals, family members and members of an ever-changing global society," Grojean said.

They talk about techniques to balance work and family, teen pregnancy prevention, improving family and social relationships, responding to family crises, parenting skills, clothing construction and repair and selecting food to maintain good health.

One of the special projects completed by junior-high students is a unit on entrepreneurship. Students develop and market a product. They can work individually or form a partnership and keep track of profits and losses.

"Working with young people is very gratifying," said Grojean. "Since this is my 28th year at Delta schools, I am now teaching many of my former students' children. Being able to watch these students grow and mature, forming families of their own, is very rewarding."

In addition to teaching, Grojean owns a roller-skating rink in Chaffee and serves as president of the Chaffee Public Library Board of Directors.