| Teacher response |
6/10/04 6:44 AM |
| Author:
Patty Dump
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Almost eight years ago, I helped found an alternative school. Our district gave five of us one quarter (three months) to view best practices, establish our mission, create curriculum that met or exceeded state standards, and process our first 65 student candidates, out of almost 80 applicants.
As a "safe school grant" recpient, we had to meet those criteria.
First, the district hired the teachers who met and took ownership of the entire process.
Out of nothing, we created one of the most successful alternative schools in Missouri.
The key was in allowing us to research, investigate, and choose each part of our program, as long as it fit within district and state mandates.
I am the only original teacher left. We've had a difficulty keeping a science teacher. Our best one retired.
I am the school historian, because even our administrators have changed.
I stay because 1) I am committed to my students--I believe they can succeed; 2) I am committed to our mission; 3) Someone needs to be the one to stand up and say, "Wait a minute, this is not in the best interest of the school or the students."
Believe me, I am passionate about keeping the integrity of our program because we have slowly, positively changed the lives of our students.
But, when we began we asked about becoming a charter school, we hit a stone wall of negativity. We had so many pieces to put into the right spots, we put charter schools aside and went on building.
Patty
Posted as a reply to:
Teachers as Real "Owners" by Bryan Hassel 
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