Friday Feature: Safari Small Schools

Colleen HroncichDr. Teresa Sanders loves teaching. But she realized in her first year as a  public school teacher that the system doesn’t work—especially for children with special needs. She dreamed of starting her own school one day.“I started writing my vision for my school more than a decade ago,” she says. Her vision involved a wholistic, comprehensive school that worked closely with families. She would focus on children with behavioral problems who are not served well by public schools.Dr. Sanders openedSafari Small Schools on March 1, 2020 —right as COVID-19 was beginning to disrupt education. With all the uncertainty and chaos, she didn’t get her first student until the following February. But she was patient. She knew the students who were meant to be with her would find her.To ensure each child gets the right amount of attention, Safari is a “micro ‐​school” that is capped at five students. Dr. Sanders is also very careful about the mix of students she accepts. She makes sure the parents are on the same page and that the child will mix well with her other students. She currently has three students, and she’s thrilled with their progress—in terms of behavior and academics.Safari Small Schools meets in a  spare room in Dr. Sanders’ home while she converts another building on the property into a school house. The renovation process has become another learning experience for the children as they get to see the construction equipment and mat...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs