School Founders Spotlight: Igniting Minds Through Education
What is School Choice?
As a parent, I have often wondered: How can I make school better for my child? Most likely, you have wondered that too. The first thing to consider is have you taken advantage of the many school choices that are offered in your state and area of your residence from which parents may choose?
Does Your Opinion Matter?
Yes, it does. Your opinion matters because you as the parent of your child knows your child better than anyone. Parents who are passionate about education can make good choices for their own children and often this passion fuels their desire to become a teacher or even start their own school.
What’s a parent to do?
When I started my school there were only two kinds of schools: public and private. My son attended the public school I taught at, but he was having difficulty I will tell you about in this video. After three years of research and planning I decided to start my own school in 1991, a private school.
Best Choice for Your Kid
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! School choice is alive and well and it is every parent’s right to make the best choice for their child’s best education. This week is National Charter School Week.
Didn’t Start Amazing
The founding of Telesis could also be called “It’s Been a Wild Ride,” as there were many twists and turns and unexpected dips and dives in the last 33 years as it was growing its way to the great school it has become today.
Parents are First Teachers
Who was your child’s first teacher? The answer is IT IS YOU, of course. The very first child’s teacher is his or her own Mom and Dad. Don’t discount you as a parent as your child’s teacher.
45 Miles Away
Today education has become very diversified. By that I mean there are many styles of education to choose from and parents need to “shop wisely” for what will work best for your child. Do a little “homework” to make that choice. Don’t assume that what is best for your child’s friends is what is best for your child.
Teacher Visual Learners Class Size
What student challenges occurred when I founded my school 33 years ago?Most of us learn best with what we see; some of us learn best with what we hear; and then a few of us learn best with our hands.
Teacher’s Comeback
When you find a dedicated teacher, you want them to stay and keep them at your school, of course. We all know that dedicated teachers far exceed what schools are able to compensate them.However, helping them to engage their students is critical and will help them to stay at your school.
Telesis Preparatory Academy: 1st Expansion
How does a public school expand when additional students are required and must be enrolled and in attendance before facilities can be expanded and enlarged?
1st Expansion
How does a public school expand when additional students are required and must be enrolled and in attendance before facilities can be expanded and enlarged?
2nd Expansion
Each of these expansions required a full school year of off-campus education for grades 6-12. Grades K-5 remained on campus utilizing only half of the campus that did not require construction.
Janitor Duties
How did our small staff keep our campus clean? As Telesis grew, we all wore many hats as there was so much to do. One important detail was regular cleaning that had to be done.
Science Teacher
How did we find our teaching staff? As the teacher shortage grew problematic for all schools, our school was affected too. I looked for qualified teachers everywhere I could, going to education job fairs in other states was something I often did every spring, recruiting teachers with our guaranteed small class size and individualized instruction and even Arizona sunsets.
The Bus
After the school was open and began to grow, it was necessary to take students places. In the beginning as a private school, my dad purchased a van which enabled us to take students to music classes by a music teacher who offered to hold classes in his home.
Started the School
Here is the short answer of how it happened and what motivated me to make the right decision without any “road map” to follow for the uncharted waters I was about to embark on.
Telesis Today
After the 32-year journey Telesis, which is a word derived from Greek meaning “planned progress,” has grown into a successful school of preschool through high school graduation and all grade levels in between.
Projects Keep Their Interest
In order to maintain a high interest level where students can engage in the material you want them to learn, I recommend “project-based instruction.”
Creativity in the Classroom
How can creativity be encouraged and maintained in the classroom? Sadly, many teachers mistaken creativity for misbehavior or lack of discipline in the classroom, when creativity can be a component of a successful and exciting learning environment.
Hands-on learning!
What kinds of classroom projects lead to engagement for all students? To learn well and sincerely enjoy the experience, a good teacher will strive to include class projects frequently to help all students stay engaged and connected to the material the teacher wants them to learn.
Perfect Attendance
Attendance – Friend or Foe? Attendance is very important as that is where the learning happens. Of course, there are times when a student is sick and can’t come to school and all responsible parents keep their children home, sometimes with relatives or friends when that happens.