Schools That Work: Core Values…

      Some are traditional public schools.  Some are charters.  Others offer career and technical education (CTE).  Home schools and a variety of alternative schools are also in the mix. 

     Schools that work are not an educational category because no two are the same.  Their pedagogy  and academic focus may be different.  Electives, the arts, and afterschool activities may or may not have priority.  College readiness is top of the list for some, while, for others, career readiness is just as important.  Schools that work are urban and suburban, in communities wealthy and poor, representing students of different races, religions, and cultural backgrounds.  They cannot be neatly labeled because each is as unique as the students they nurture.   

     As unalike as they are in many ways, schools that work are characterized by students who tend to be confident and happy; inquisitive and unafraid to fail; respectful and socially aware; self-motivated and eager to explore, discover, and learn.

    The reason can be found in the core values these schools share and an intentional culture whose lens is child-centered.  The values are the foundation for student growth and success – socially, emotionally, and academically. They are values that encourage and support teachers, staff, and administrators, as well.  In the coming months, these values and their impact will be discussed for each school featured in this series.

     Schools that work are all public schools.  They and their students must meet the same requirements as every other public school in the United States.  But they approach learning and students differently.  They prioritize goals differently.  They view teachers differently.  What they do, how they do it, and why student results are so consistently positive are the questions this series will try to begin to answer.

     Personally speaking, there are many wonderful schools across this country with excellent teachers, staff, and administrators, active PTOs, and successful students.  We all want the best for our children, including the best education. There is more than one way to achieve this objective.. In this instance, I am suggesting that when educators do something new that gets results, we should all want to take a look.  I hope this series is engaging and that you will share your comments and educational successes as well.  We are all in this together.  Thank you.  Merle Schell