Learning and Growing

Last week Ms. Jessica Logan (4 th), Mr. Charles Svoboda (Board President), and I traveled to Hoboken, New Jersey to meet with other Christian urban administrators. We spent time learning about how to build community, fund raise, design responsive classrooms, and utilize effective reading techniques. In addition, we visited a total of four schools in New Jersey and New York City. Each school had distinct and effective ways to teach children. We were amazed at how clearly we understood a school’s mission by simply walking through hallways and observing in classrooms. In speaking with other administrators, I understood that they too face the daily challenge of offering the best education they can to their students.

When I left, I realized two important things about the work we do here at Freedom. First, we have an awesome opportunity to learn how to better educate our students. Second, that opportunity must be cultivated through meaningful conversations as a school community answering the questions, “Who are we as a school?” and “How can we best serve the needs of our students?” In order to answer the second question, the staff and I are currently reading Understanding a Framework for Poverty, by Dr. Ruby Payne. Dr. Payne asserts that poverty is not simply a lack of money, but a culture which impacts children in many ways. In addition, we are taking a year long look at reading instruction. We began by identifying critical needs in struggling readers, discussed what students should know about reading in each grade level, and examined how our own reading experiences shape our instruction. In addition, teachers have visited schools and teachers whose mission and instruction either match that of Freedom or whose curriculum can offer us rich learning opportunities. Thus we have visited a total of six different schools with more to follow.

I believe now is the time for all of us to answer the question, “Who are we as a school?” We must engage in conversations about why we send our children here and what we desire from this experience. What is so thoroughly exciting is that the Lord is an intimate and active part of this process, and can open our eyes to envision and dream about our future as a school. Please be praying about how you can be a part of this exciting process as the Lord helps us grow. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for encouragement. Thank you for entrusting your children into our care.

In His Hands,

Odetta Fields