I Didn't Know The Academy at SOAR was A Full Year School Program

SOAR is a full year school program?

The more people I talk to, the more I am convinced that The Academy at SOAR is education's best kept secret. That isn't necessarily a good thing.

If I talk to  people where I live in Charlotte, a mere two and a half hours from our Balsam base, folks have never heard of SOAR. Our Science and Math teacher Aaron says he has talked to folks from Waynesville, North Carolina, about 15 minutes from us, and many of them have never heard of us, or at best say they've heard of SOAR but have no idea what we do.



As Cool Hand Luke once said, "It seems as though what he have here is a failure to communicate," or to market to say the least. SOAR has been around in various incarnations since 1977. That's 35 years give or take, and some of the neighbors don't know who we are.

So we get the message out that SOAR exists, and that we're a great thing for kids. That's a start. But some don't know that SOAR has The Academy at SOAR, a full time, full year academic program for grades 6 to 12. " Well I thought you were just a semester program. I didn't know you offered a full school year program." " I wish you offered a school program for multiple years."

Looks like I've got to be the one to let the cat out of the bag. SOAR and The Academy at SOAR is a full year, fully functional, very successful academic program for students grades 6 - 12. We offer individualized, differentiated approach designed to meet students where they are at, and take them where they want, and need to go.

"Well that's fine and good, Mike, but why should I send my child to The Academy at SOAR for a whole school year?"

I'm so glad you asked that question.

For any student, in any program, transition is a challenge. For students with special needs and challenges like ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities, transition can be overwhelming, and, not planned and implemented with care and consideration, can be devastating.

From an Academy at SOAR perspective, students come in their first semester, and that semester is mainly about learning routines and systems, and a time for teachers to first evaluate first-hand a students strengths and needs. We use this time to get to know your child, what they can and can't do, so that our plan can evolve into what becomes an individualized, differentiated plan for teaching, reaching and learning for your child.

So often, the students I feel I have failed, are the ones who just come for a single semester. Just when we have identified needs, developed systems for meeting those needs, and getting into a groove, it is time for that student to move on to where the family or the student has decided they will go next.

SOAR and The Academy at SOAR is a good safe place for kids. I've often described it as an " Oasis in the desert" for students who haven't found success in other environments. It is a place where it is safe to make mistakes, learn from them. It is a place that accepts students for who they are, values and acknowledges their strengths, while at the same time building up their weaknesses. While the work our instructors and staff isn't magic, it is nothing short of miraculous. I have seen, in the two years I have been at SOAR, students grow so incredibly, academically, socially,and holisitically. Students at SOAR and The Academy at SOAR, are the first students in my 20 + year career in education, who have come up to me, unprompted at the end of a school year, or the end of their time at SOAR and have told me, unprompted, what they have learned, what they have gained, or how they have grown, as a result of their experiences at SOAR.  So perhaps I should just let the students speak for themselves.

So, is it difficult for parents, and their kids, for their kids to be away from home? Definately. Is it a financial commitment to send your child to SOAR, and the Academy at SOAR? Absolutely.

Consider, if you will, the things I have said above, as you make your decisions as to whether or not your child will attend SOAR and the Academy at SOAR for a single semester, or whether you and your child will make the commitment for the school year. As I have stated numerous times, it isn't my job to market our program. It is my job, and my team's job to teach your kids and do everything within my power and skillset to teach them how to learn and how to be successful at school, and enjoy doing it.

Consider the challenges your child may have, once acclimated to SOAR or any other school program for a semester, transitioning he or she out, into an entirely new and different school program. It can't be easy.

I say these things for partially selfish reasons. As an educator it is my job and my passion to make a difference with and for your kids. We, your child and our academic team, work diligently together over the course of the semester. We begin to see the progress, and the success that has the potential to turn into those happy endings, of things learned and gained and expressed by students, unprompted. Then a student says they are leaving before our work together is finished, it can be a bit defeating for both educator and student. We haven't had the chance to see our efforte bear fruit.

You're neve going to find a school, that treats your child like the individual they are, and caters to what they need, individually to be successful. I say this as a parent of two children who attend public schools. I say, perhaps with a little bias, but as an educator who has worked at several schools over the course of 20 years.

So I completely understand if you miss your child and want and need to have them back at home with you. I can relate to that 100 %. If you make the choice to take your child elsewhere at the end of the semester for that reason, as a parent, I can't and won't argue with you.

I also totally understand, if the financial commitment is too large to bear. It is a tremendous financial commitment, to commit for a school year. If you can't have your child return for that reason, I understand more than you know.

However, if you believe, that moving on at the end of one semester is academically and socially what is the best thing for your child, I would not fight you, but I would challenge your line of thinking.

If you are impressed with what SOAR and the Academy at SOAR is and can do for your child in a semester, imagine what a year can do. I've seen it. I wouldn't press the issue if I hadn't seen the evidence to support my claims.

Thanks for allowing us, at The Academy at SOAR, the opportunity to work with and grow your children.

Mike

Alone At School... And Far From Home

I was invited to dinner with the Appalachian Trail Team 1 the other night. It was a unique opportunity for me to see them outside of the school setting.. with their hair down, so to speak. It was really a lot of fun. I learned a great deal from my dinner date with your kids. First, we need to add a cooking class... no I'm just kidding, the kids did a bang up job preparing the meal. Second, I realized just how hard it must be to be a kid, going to school and living far away from the ones they love.

Now, I don't want to be a downer, but at the time I joined the kids for dinner I was feeling low myself. For those of you who don't know, I live in the area, and work for The Academy at SOAR, and my wife and kids live in Charlotte, 2 1/2 hours away. I know what you're saying, " Mike, that;s a heck of a commute!" and I supposed it would be, if I made the daily commute. Fortunately, and unfortunately, and realistically I don't. I only see my family on weekends during the school year. It's a tough economy, and we just can't afford to make the move yet, with a house to sell, kids in school, and the wife at work, there's a lot more to consider than simply picking up and hitting the road.

Reasons aside, I was feeling a little depressed the other night when I joined the kids for dinner. As I walked in to Founders Hall, the kids were busy into their evening routines. Chef was preparing the meal, with the assistance of the instructors, and the other students were taking a little break, just chatting, reading a good book, or listening to their IPODS. Everyone seemed quite content, yet, a little feeling of sadness overcame me. Here, were all these great kids... alone at school... without their families... and far from home. I suppose my own mood didn't help the reaction I had at the sight of seeing your kids out of the setting in which I ordinarily seem them, school. In the absence of the schoolhouse, they weren't just my students, they were kids, they were somebody's son, daughter, sister or brother. For a moment, everything just seemed a little out of place.

I joined the kids and their instructors for a great meal and conversation. It wasn't until later that night that I processed the feelings I was having. I was really feeling sorry for ALL of us, the kids and I. In processing through what I was feeling, I was able to put things back into perspective.

I, found my way to SOAR, because it was where I was meant to be. Far from the ideal situation all around, being away from home, I had found a great job, a place and people who needed me and what I had to offer. I also found a place where my strengths and talents, could be exhibited, benefit derived from, and a place where I felt I had a special contribution that was making a difference in a program, and in the lives of students, families, and colleagues each day. Yes, I was away from home, but it was, and is, where I needed to be.

Reflecting upon how SOAR was just right for me, and I for it, helped me to see how my students, each in their own individual way, also needed SOAR, and SOAR benefited from their presence. Each of my students, your children, has found a place here at SOAR where "their" unique strengths and talents could be put in the spotlight, where in the past perhaps, light was only shone on their shortcomings. or how they didn't fit the traditional mold.

Your kids, like myself, have found a great place, and a great school, are forming friendships and connections with peers and staff  who benefit from what they have to offer.

At a recent educational conference I attended, I listened to a keynote speaker, a very successful educator who stated that "Schools of the future that will survive will be the ones that continually strive to meet the needs of their students." – SOAR does this, and kids benefit.

He also stated that:

The trend of successful schools is:

Customization over standardization

Personalization versus collectivism

Non- traditional delivery versus traditional

SOAR is on this track.

This gentlemen also stated that, " We need to engage in 'purposeful abandonment' of things that no longer work." SOAR SOAR SOAR

The last profound statement that caught my ear was. "Successful education has time as the variable, and learning as the constant. Every child learns, just in a different time and a different way." SOAR SOAR SOAR SOAR SOAR!

While it may seem initially that I digress, all of these things that the educational expert stated successful schools that will last DO and ARE, SOAR already is, and is getting better at it every day.

It sort of connected the dots for me. For if it were my OWN child that needed help and support, I would do everything in my power, even if it meant them leaving home for a time, in order to work with professionals who "engage in 'purposeful abandonment' of things that no longer work.", to get an experience and an education that values customization over standardization, and personalization versus collectivism.  I would, if I were in your shoes as a parent, do whatever it takes to find a place that truly believes that "Every child learns, just in a different time and a different way, " and that "Successful education has time as the variable, and learning as the constant."

So while your kids and I may be, for the moment in time, far from home, we are never alone, and we each are here at SOAR for very specific and individualized purposes.  Once I pondered  why it is each of us is here at SOAR, and what we each give and receive from SOAR,  I realized that I will look back on my SOAR experiences years from now with amazement at what we all accomplished together and how it changed us. I honestly don't believe there is any way your child won't have similar feelings at the end of their SOAR experience, and years down the road.

A Word on Student Writing from The Academic Director

I just wanted to take a moment to address some concerns that has come up a few times with regard to student writing.

Many of our students, your kids, when they get to SOAR, are reluctant writers and some just plain hate to write, either because it is difficult for them physically, difficult due to a processing problem, or difficult just due to the fact that they have not had any positive experiences with writing in school to date.

We're hoping to change all that.

Part of the way we do this is by reinforcing successive approximations at whatever our goal(s) are for your child's writing. We praise them for what they are doing well, while at the same time, making suggestions, for things that they should look at changing, editing, or revising, to make their writing better, with regard to length, content, and conventions. It's the glass half full philosophy.

The result of this may be, that the letters you receive at home, or the blogs you see posted online, may not be perfect. This is not because we are not checking, correcting or instructing, it is just that, as educators, we are making a choice, with regard to where to focus and where to place emphasis at any given moment.

For example, if a student, who has never written a paragraph before is excited about something they have written or word processed, we are going to look at the content, and point out the attention to detail in their thoughts and ideas before mentioning the several spelling or punctuation errors.

Think of it this way. If all you ever got from the boss at work was criticism for the things you weren't doing, or the expectations you weren't meeting, wouldn't your desire to deliver for them begin to diminish?

Our goal, in general, is to turn your kids " on" to school, reading, writing, math, history and science. We are, after all Success Oriented, Achievement Realized. The definition of success isn't perfection, and one doesn't need to demonstrate flawlessness in order that we say they have achieved.

My students are also always asking me with regard to their writings, " Mike, is this long enough? "
"Mike, does this sound good enough?"  While I will tell them what I think and I will give them my opinion and my guidance when needed, my answer is often, " You are the author. Do you feel it is long enough to express what you wanted to say?"

The result here will often be, that students will write what they want.  Often without external requirements being placed upon them, they will surprise.

I also don't censor with regard to content. The result being, that you may see your kids writing things, that "they wouldn't write in school." We talk about freedom of speech as well as things that are and aren't appropriate in a general sense. We talk about speech that can be harmful or hurtful towards others. Beyond that, I really don't place restrictions on our students. If I did, we might not ever see what they were truly capable of. We could be snuffing out the flame before it ever had a chance to blaze.

So, to conclude, if you see letters coming home that aren't perfect, or if you see a posted blog, where your child has written something that makes you a little uneasy, because it is not what you would typically expect from school, remember that we are not a typical school, and your children are extraordinary. We recognize that what comes home is all you see, and it is all you have to judge, That is why I felt the need to share these thoughts. If your child posts a blog, and it is not grammatically correct or totally correct with regard to use of conventions, it isn't for lack of modelling, and instructing. At the end of the " writing process" your children will  know what the things are that they need to correct, to make their writings have the best presentation possible. Once it is turned over to them a final time, it is their work, and it is their responsibility.

At the end of the day, we can model, and we can influence, but like you or I, we really can't make our students, our children do anything that they, themselves don't want to do. So they key is to turn them on to writing, to school in general, so that they develop that intrinsic motivation to, say, write, for the purpose of expressing ones thoughts, feelings and emotions, rather than writing, because it is a school assignment.

Think what motivates you to do something... anything. Where does that motivation generally come from? Generally it is from within. That is what we are trying to instill in your children.