It has been almost 35-years since I first set foot in a classroom. Throughout my career, I have worked with children of different backgrounds and circumstances. Having worked as a private school teacher and administrator, public school teacher, and university instructor I know that every child is unique. There is no cookie cutter for educating children. I am certain that every child, regardless of who they are, deserves access to an education that meets their individual needs. The Hope Scholarship is a step toward helping all children thrive.
As an educator, I invest in my students. Surprisingly, early in my career, I was often prevented from developing the student-teacher relationships that build trust. When I was a public-school teacher, I would bring concerns to the administration and guidance departments. More than once, I was told to “mind my own business and teach math.” I was watching students die right before my eyes, and test-scores, not the development of the whole child, were the focus. This and other frustrations with the system led to an early retirement from public education so I could open a Christian school. Over the years, I realized that unique children thrive in different atmospheres and with different approaches. I have had several people tell me that students will do fine in public school. Indeed, some will, but others will not. Others want to be better than fine, or at least be given the opportunity to explore other options.
Currently, I am directing a Christian school in Beech Bottom. The school began in a church with only a few students and is now thriving. Just this year, we accepted a young man who was expelled from his public middle school. The adoptive parents were at a loss. That’s right. This child was already part of the system. He was in foster homes until he finally found his forever family. I sent an instructor to his home over the summer to get to know the young man. My instructor began tutoring him and soon discovered that the child’s behavior was not the problem. Like so many, he was bullied and zero tolerance policies held his fate. We decided to accept this child and he is becoming a leader in our school. He loves to volunteer and make a positive difference. So, we are letting him do just that.
My school is a place where students come to grow and learn from a Christian perspective. There have been students who have left my school for different educational environments. As sad as I was to see them go, I am also supportive of their decision to seek an education that is tailored to their needs. One young lady traveled because of competitive dance. She and others found learning environments to support their schedules and boost their growth to meet their unique needs. I support families and students who are thriving in their education, regardless of the system that offers the programming.
West Virginia needs to support families who are seeking alternative education options. In my school, we have had several families who were unable to attend this year because of the recent injunction against the Hope Scholarship. One family of eight, with five being enrolled in school, who lives at poverty level. Brooke County calculated an estimated $14,000 to educate each child. We were only asking for the state $4,300 part of that. These families were using their tax dollars to fund their children’s education. We should be encouraging and supporting parents and families who are taking the initiative to become involved in their children’s education.
The school year has just started. As we get back into our routines, I encourage you all to find ways to support our teachers and parents. We all want the children of West Virginia to succeed. We should work together toward the goal of educating and helping our children achieve their dreams.