Teachers in Mansfield Senior High’s Freshman Academy share their thoughts during a weekly professional book study.
Freshman Academy teachers at Mansfield Senior High are engaged in a group effort to relate better to students who have unique life situations.
Each Thursday they gather for a discussion of Dr. Stephen Peters’ book “Do you know enough about me to teach me?”
“I thought it important that we better understand the clients we serve so that we can build stronger relationships with our students,” said Assistant Principal Lori Crum who directs the academy.
Among the students in Peters’ book is Marvin, whose single mother works two fulltime jobs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“The only adult he sees is at school, if he goes to school,” Crum said. “The book mirrors many of our students. Some of them deal with problems we couldn’t fathom at that age.”
The goal of the book discussion is to better recognize individual students’ circumstances and needs and become more proactive.
“Sometimes we bring assumptions or preconceived notions to the classroom,” Crum said. “Often we base our approaches on the way we were educated. But those days are gone.
“Through this weekly discussion I believe our team will develop new understandings and approaches to reaching kids who really aren’t prepared to learn when they come to school.”
The Freshman Academy, located in classrooms on the lower level of the high school’s south wing, was implemented in August by Principal Dr. Jose Hernandez. Freshmen have a more challenging academic schedule and a faculty dedicated solely to them.
Hernandez said that environment will ease the transition to high school and improve the graduation rate.
The Freshman Academy faculty includes:
English – Ms. Snyder and Ms. Bowman
Math – Ms. Scott, Ms. Karpiak and Ms. Munoz.
Science – Mr. Perl and Mr. Evans
Social Studies – Mr. Beasley and Mr. Logan
Special Education – Ms. Belcik, Mr. Dean and Ms. Swartmiller
Guidance – Ms. Hirst