1. Alternative Education programs are highly personalized.
2. Alternative Education programs have close links with the community.
3. Alternative Education programs include strong support for the teachers.
4. Alternative Education programs offer a broad and diverse curriculum.
5. Alternative Education programs involve the students outside of the school as well as inside the school.
He then said: "If we all did that there would be no need for the alternative."
I have had the opportunity to work part time in an Alternative Education environment for the last three years. I can vouch for the success of the first commonality: highly personalized. One might assume that 'highly personalized' suggests that the curriculums are personalized to fit the individual student's needs, strengths, and interests. I am suggesting that 'highly personalized' means that the 'person' comes first - "Person-first education". The principal who hired me shared the motto: 'Accept and then Expect.'
I want to share a beautiful poem that learning specialist, Rebecca Manzanares, shared with the students at their June 2014 graduation. The following words are Becca's closing comments to the class of 2014.
We recently lost an American icon, former Poet Laureate Maya Angelou. For my congratulations speech, I thought about borrowing one of her pieces; however, I decided it would be more of a tribute to her for me to write my own poem about the class of 2014.
Before I share it with you, I have to preface it with an explanation of the title. I was in our backyard last week, talking with our neighbor's five-year-old daughter, when she asked me if a branch on the ground was a star stick. After fumbling around for words, I had to admit that I didn't have any idea what a star stick was. She immediately grabbed a couple of branches and began breaking them apart. Then she handed me stick after stick, telling me to look at the site of the break. To my surprise, each one had a perfectly formed star inside its core, I couldn't help but smile at the surprise image. Right away, I thought of y'all; I thought of the hidden talents and beauty in each of you. I thought of the strengths that people may not realize you have, and I thought of the smiles you have brought to our faces, often in unexpected moments. I decided to entitle my poem, Stars in Sticks. If you look under your chairs, you'll find your very own star stick to remember us by. I hope you like my tribute to y'all and everything you are.
Stars in Sticks - The Class of 2014
You are the brave
Not fearless but facing fear
Head on, walking into the storm
Knowing full well the challenges
It entails.
You are the strong
Not without weakness
But understanding
That strength grows with every
new step forward.
You are the tough
Not making lemonade
With the lemons life has handed you
But throwing them back
And demanding the better you deserve.
You are the determined
Not the smooth, easy-goers slipping and sliding through
But those facing unseen obstacles
With tears and grace and power
And pride.
You are the fun
Not the mindless giggles of the carefree
But the hearty laughter of the survivor
Who alone can appreciate
The true value of joy.
You are the beautiful
Not the shiny, glittery shallow exteriors
But the deep down worn warmth
Of soul and spirit
Crafted by fire and time.
You are the accepting
Not the "we will tolerate differences"
But the "we will stand up and embrace and fight for"
Everyone and anyone on this crazy Ferris wheel
Of humanity.
You are the stars
Not the brazen and blazing night sky, obvious to everyone
But the hidden amazement, the unexpected brilliance, the true wonder of this world
Requiring effort and intent to recognize and view
Like stars in sticks.
On behalf of the staff, it is our wish that you continue to shine in your very own way. Congratulations, Class of 2014!
