susie hunsicker
For Susie Hunsicker, it's easy to see the impact SAGE has had on her teaching: last year, she had 22 students; this year she has 13. Hunsicker has noticed the most improvement in math.

"Multiplication is a difficult concept," says Hunsicker, who teaches third grade at Hawthorn Hills Elementary in Wausau. "When you have 23 students, maybe one or two get it - you're constantly trying to put out fires. Now I have eight students in one group. I can see what each child is doing. I can help more."

Students not only learn more information, they learn it more quickly, and they enjoy it.

"One class today asked for more work," Hunsicker says. "They're getting everything, so I make it harder."

Hunsicker says the same is true in reading, where she has 14 students in a group.

"Because of the smaller group, they are more successful," she says. "I can get to students and I can get to something before it goes too far and the student stops trying."

In science, Hunsicker is able to divide her class into three groups, instead of last year's six. Students work better and they are more cooperative.

"I can get around to everyone now," she says.

Hunsicker says all SAGE teachers agree the program has benefited students.

"We've all said, 'wow,' we can see the difference and what we can do with students," she says. "I know more about my students."