Lara Suffit: A Mission to Support Students at Risk of Dropping Out

At 35, Lara Suffit balances her career, her return to school, and her personal commitments. The mother of a 2-year-old daughter, she has been working as a school social worker for 11 years and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Primary Education (MEEF 1er degré) through a hybrid distance learning program at the Faculty of Education on the Carcassonne campus.

At the heart of her work: preventing truancy, combating inequality, and supporting students in need. Working closely with teaching staff and school counselors, she identifies vulnerable situations and sometimes intervenes in students’ homes, often in complex circumstances. This hands-on experience now fuels an ambitious project.

As a finalist in the “5 Minutes to Convince” competition organized by the University of Montpellier, she presented an initiative that is particularly close to her heart.

 

Could you briefly describe your project?

“This project aims to establish an organization dedicated to re-engaging 10- to 16-year-olds who have dropped out of school or are at risk of doing so. It is based on a personalized approach, offering individualized support that combines basic academic skills with educational activities. The goal is to prevent or address school dropout by restoring confidence, purpose, and structure for these young people. The program is organized around three pillars: academic catch-up, hands-on workshops, and the development of psychosocial skills. Designed as a transitional step, it facilitates a return to traditional schooling or an appropriate educational path, in collaboration with families and partners.”

She is developing this project as part of a team, alongside a colleague who holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and specializes in academic support, as well as her spouse, who teaches visual arts. The educational program has already been structured, and a location has been identified, although some renovations are still needed.

Why did you enter this contest?

“It was a personal challenge. I wanted to overcome my shyness and bring this project to life. I also needed to see how others perceived it. The feedback was very insightful and encouraging.”

How do you approach working with young people?

“Students will be identified in collaboration with the Department of Education. A two- to three-week trial period will determine whether they are eligible to join the program, followed by approximately one year of support aimed at helping them return to school.”

How does your professional experience give you an edge?

“My work has exposed me to some very difficult situations. I’ve seen children in great distress. My goal is to bridge the gap between education and teaching, to provide a sense of security for young people while helping them master basic skills.”

An ambition that explains his commitment to the MEEF Master's program:

“Beyond the skills, this training gives me the credibility I need to lead this project.”

Why did you choose distance learning?

“It’s essential for maintaining a balance with my family life. Without this arrangement, I probably would have put this project off for several years.”

Today, she says she is completely satisfied: the quality of the instruction, the flexible schedule, and the personalized support—all of these factors make her journey easier, especially when it comes to completing internships near her home.

What happens next?

“My goal is to complete my master’s degree and launch the nonprofit right after that. I’m currently looking for funding, as well as technical and administrative support to bring this project to fruition.”

Through this initiative, Lara Suffit is driven by a strong conviction: to act early, in new ways, and in close alignment with young people’s needs to prevent school dropouts and give everyone a chance to succeed.

With this project, Lara Suffi is already anticipating the direction of the future PEFE (Interdisciplinary Education, Training, and Teaching) program that the Faculty of Education will launch at the start of the next academic year.