(SIOUX CITY, IA) Diane Nesselhuf has been an educator for nearly 30 years. In 2001, she created the Academic Enhancement Center at East High School. The AEC now helps hundreds of students succeed who may not have in a conventional classroom setting.
"I've always gravitated toward kids who don't always make it and don't see themselves as being successful. That's been kind of my passion," says Diane Nesselhuf, KMEG 14 Hometown Hero.
That passion pushed Diane Nesselhuf to create the Academic Enhancement Center, where education is custom made.
"We need to meet your needs and we need to do some things to help you continue to be here, whatever that is," says Nesselhuf.
"She's not there to just get you in and out of school. She's there to help you do well in school so that you're prepared for the rest of your life," says Ashley Keizer, East High School Senior.
Senior Ashley Keizer started coming to the AEC as a sophomore.
"I have to say, my life has changed drastically in the last two years and mostly due to being in here," says Keizer.
"They're doing good things where before, they would have been a high school drop out," says Nesselhuf.
Ashley is just one of hundreds of success stories. Last year, almost 25% of East High graduates spent some or all of their time in the AEC, working one-on-one with teachers to make up credits or homework at their own pace.
"They feel like there's nobody, there's not an advocate for them. You know, their whole life they've heard that they're not worthy," says Nesselhuf.
That's why Diane and her teachers are not only educators, they are advocates, role models, mentors and heroes.
"A hero to me is somebody that sets good examples and that makes you feel good and makes other people feel good about themselves," says Keizer.
"I always say, you teach with your head and your heart. You know, you don't just teach with your head, you can't just know your curriculum," says Nesselhuf. "I think teachers are a hero."
Diane is also a hero in the community. She created Sharing the Dream in Guatemala which promotes fair trade projects for local artists. Her goal - just like in the classroom - is to provide a hand up, not a hand out.
You can learn more about Sharing the Dream in Guatemala online at http://www.sharingthedream.org/.
Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.
Friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ErikaThomasTV.
