Schaeffer, 17, is a chapter leader for the Troy Idea Factory’s Young Women of Distinction Program. She also leads a Reading Buddies program at Kyle Elementary School.
“I love helping the kids and seeing how they grow,” said Schaeffer, the daughter of Shirley and Dean Schaeffer.
Schaeffer is more confident about speaking in front of groups than she used to be. She recalled as an eighth-grader she was practicing a speech to present as part of a contest.
“I was so nervous, I was almost in tears,” she said.
When she became involved with the Idea Factory’s Women of Distinction Program, she found that she had to speak to about 30 fifth-grade girls.
“I was terrified,” she said.
In the Women of Distinction Program, teen leaders meet with fifth-grade girls during the school lunch and recess periods and discuss topics that may include respect, obedience, responsibility, gossip, friendship or study skills. The teens also plan several after-school programs such as a storytelling contest, Make a Difference Day, Thanksgiving for grandparents, and a Christmas party.
Schaeffer became a chapter leader for the Women of Distinction Program when she was a freshman. That first year, she worked with students at Cookson Elementary School in Troy. For the past two years, she’s worked with Kyle Elementary School fifth-graders.
Each year, she has helped girls prepare for the storytelling contest. Schaeffer recalled being nervous about that during her freshman year because she wasn’t a confident public speaker.
She said her students placed first, second and third in the contest.
At this year’s contest, the Women of Distinction had a storytelling category for the teen leaders. She placed second in that.
Schaeffer said that by becoming involved in the program, she has become a better public speaker, gained confidence and developed patience.
She enjoys working with the students and helping them develop skills.
“I used to be exactly like them,” she said.
In addition to being a chapter leader for the Women of Distinction program, Schaeffer also participates in Reading Buddies, an after-school program that encourages first-graders to read. She explained that sixth-graders come to the school and read and play games with the children. She helps coordinate and organize the program.
“I love doing it,” she said.
Schaeffer, who also plays on the Troy High School tennis team, said that her work with children is making her consider a career in education.
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