Janie Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 If you all have followed the my school saga, you know that after homeschooling my four children all the way through high school graduation, I went into the traditional classroom of a local private Christian school. Though not classical, I had hopes to influence and change that. :001_smile: After three years, the board fired the administrator. I refused to call him a headmaster. He wasn't either, in fact. He almost financially bankrupted the school (this is no exaggeration). He mismanaged so many things that we really wondered a few weeks ago whether the school would open this fall. Although the former administrator was a horrible manager, he was the type that would let you do anything that he didn't have to do. (He passed the buck like you wouldn't believe.) I took advantage of that. I introduced my passion for classical education from the beginning of my tenure there. Classical education can't help but sell itself when teachers understand it properly. The head teachers embraced it, but moreso, the admin gave me the go-ahead to completely change middle school history and English. Big start with lots of work, but it's done! We academically survived the first year and looked forward to the coming one. Achievement tests soared in one year. I was grateful for the opportunity to implement this but wondered if we would ever be able to go full-school, especially if we got a new headmaster that wasn't so inclined. Then yesterday, the elementary teachers talked to me about implementing classical history (SOTW!) and science THIS year! That's only weeks away. I've given assignments for them to read TWTM and make lists of questions for me when we return to school Aug 12. On top of all this, I got the news that not only had the board just hired a new headmaster (that quick made me nervous), the person they hired is the one who just opened a K-8 classical school at the other end of the county. Don't know the in's-and-out's of the particulars, but this man is not only an award-winning educator, he is a terrific fundraiser and speaker (both necessary contributions of a headmaster), he is a classical educator! He is not just an interim, but our permanent headmaster. Never, ever, did I expect that to happen. I am so excited that this news almost pales tomorrow's beginning of my trip-of-a-lifetime! I am just so excited. My dream for years has been to open my own classical school, which nowadays is just financially impossible. The next best thing was to teach in a classical school, which, in my area, was not feasible. The next best thing after that was to implement what I could classically into my own classroom. I never, ever really thought that we could implement classical so easily into the school AND get a classical headmaster all at the same time. God is good and can do great and mighty things in the midst of our struggles and hardships. I envision that we will now be able to move the school beyond academic and spiritual medicrity and toward academic and spiritual excellence. I've always loved what I do, but I've not always loved that I was not teaching in a classical school. Now, I really love what I do!! I am just so excited! We can really make progress with the transition now. Please join my thanksgiving to God for this journey! [Abbey, I'm sure you know who this is, or you know about him...D.Andrews, formerly at North Cross! Sam has encouraged me several times to try to work for him. But the drive was just too long.] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 That is great news! Sounds like things are working out well for you. This should be a fun year! :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 :party: Looks like you're in for an exciting year! And your students, also! I'm so proud of you. Obviously, your enthusiasm is backed by professionalism. What a terrific combination! Keep us updated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 :cheers2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Fabulous! Hope he does SOTW and not VP with the youngers--they use VP in a classical school close to me, and SOTW is imo better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Well, *we're* already doing SOTW (!) and I don't think he's going to come in and change things, except to improve what we have already. The school he is going to toggle between this year is using BJUP. That said, I think SOTW is hands down better than BJUP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I just want to say publicly that God has really worked through Janie and given our county a viable option for classical Christian education. This is SOOOO awesome, truly making our area a better place to live. Janie, you had mentioned this particular person I believe in terms of an interim headmaster, but I know that you had not even dreamed he'd be offered a permanent position. I am so excited for you, with everything going on at the school, not just the new leadership, but also with the new plans to move forward implementing curriculum for the elementary students!!! I love this place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 Kristine, what a cheerleader you are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 [Abbey, I'm sure you know who this is, or you know about him...D.Andrews, formerly at North Cross! Sam has encouraged me several times to try to work for him. But the drive was just too long.] Oh, I *do*! I went to NorthCross for 9th grade, when his (oldest, I think) daughter was an 8th grader. We were in separate buildings at the time, but had a lot of friends in common, so I did get to spend a little time with the family. And Mom had mentioned that they were involved with another school... That's so fantastic! I'm so happy for you that all things -- even this pitiful excuse for an administrator -- have worked together for good! And now you'll really be able to continue the classical changes and growth you've been working for all this time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Wonderful news! Now where exactly do you live and what is the name of the school and do you have any space next term for 4dc? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Go back to the Circe conference CDs from last year and listen to the lectures about running a classical school. It seems to me that there is a definite timeline of ups and downs that every school can expect, and try to plan for. Apparently the seventh year is particularly tricky. A friend borrowed my set to listen because she's very involved in a private Christian school and they are facing the seventh year issues. I am so pleased for you and for the families you will be serving. God bless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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