In a further installment of this year’s Forum on Education, the Education, Schooling, and Society (ESS) minor invited 4 area principles to lead a panel discussion entitled, “Re-Imagining Education: South Bend School Perspectives.”
Held on March 27, the panelists included Deb Martin of McKinley Primary Center, Karla Lee of Edison Intermediate Center, John Kennedy of New Tech High School, and Darice Austin-Phillips of Perley Primary Fine Arts Academy.
Liz Chaten, a senior ESS student who organized the panel, said that this event listens to a voice so far unrepresented in the university forum – the voice of local educators.
Presenters explained the changes undergone in their schools during their leadership.
Martin has focused on changing her school’s climate and attending to the individual needs of students. Her staff uses the “Fish philosophy” developed by the manager who turned Pike’s Fish Market from a failing business to a famed one. The 4 fishy principles include coming to class with a great attitude, incorporating fun, valuing each student and staff member, and giving others one’s full attention.
The school also borrows Notre Dame’s own “Play Like a Champion” motto. On Fridays, students, staff, and parents wear t-shirts denoting their “champion” status. Students are also rewarded individually, by class, and by grade for positive behaviors and perfect attendance. Since implementing these changes, disciplinary problems are down and test scores are on the rise.
New Tech High School, one of 85 specialty schools across the nation, opened to 80 freshmen just this year. Riley High School currently lends part of its campus to New Tech, but the school hopes to have its own site by the 2013-2014 school year.
New Tech’s model uses inquiry-based learning through specific projects. Each student receives a laptop and manages schoolwork, grades, and daily schedules on an online learning platform. Educators strive to help students maintain a professional culture of trust, respect, and responsibility.
Five years ago after consultation with struggling students, Edison Intermediate decided it needed to help students connect their classroom learning to real world experience. Under Karla Lee’s leadership, students have participated in a full-day of science classes at Notre Dame and a two-day college experience complete with graduation at Ivy Tech Community College. Edison students travel outside of South Bend on a 5-day trip to Washington, D.C. as well as the state’s capital to serve as pages in the governor’s office.
Austin-Phillips helped a traditional elementary school transition into Perley Fine Arts Academy with funds from the Magnet School Assistance Grant shared with several other local schools. The school’s guiding vision follows Picasso’s wisdom that “Every child is an artist.”
Perley’s curriculum integrates the arts. Students can elect to take fine arts courses like theater and dance after school. Three years after the transition, Austin-Phillips reported that the school has met AYP for two years running and parent participation has increased dramatically.
Lee ended the discussion by challenging Notre Dame students to visit a South Bend school.
“Form your own perception and form your own reality and if you see a way to make a change, then go in and make it,” she said.
Kelsey Clemson – a senior psychology and ESS student, and a jukebox hero if there ever was one – can be reached at kclemson@nd.edu.
