by Erika Surkin
The Concept School offers students with average and above intelligence a chance to excel. What makes TCS so successful? It is the people, the caring staff who, first and foremost, get to know each student as an individual. That relationship drives the education surrounding the students and allows them to find their way. The “concept” of The Concept School is the close-knit community of students, staff and parents, all working together to guide each child in finding self esteem, individual talents, and the most effective learning style to achieve the goal of college and a successful career. It is also the multifaceted “concept” that surrounds a student with support: learning profiles, accommodations to academic level, curriculum, independent study, incorporating technology into the learning process, student/staff relations, daily social skills integration, problem solving and self advocacy, peer leadership and mentoring. Having the dedication to a small school environment certainly helps. It preserves the close-knit community atmosphere and allows for adaptation. But, it is the people involved and their resolve to provide a quality, personalized education that makes TCS so successful. The qualities that the administration, teachers and staff bring to work everyday shape the programs and determine the quality of the interaction with the students. In examining these qualities it is possible to gain a better understanding of the TCS experience.
How does the staff accomplish this nurturing environment?
They are optimistic. They have confidence in their ability to build a better school and that their students will succeed. They know that providing children with mild social and/or academic issues with the right education will help them go on to be successful adults.
They are not afraid of change. The administration looks for opportunities to improve how the school works on a yearly basis — like scheduling Language Arts and English back-to back to allow teachers more time to work on challenging curriculum, as well as fully integrating course materials. On a daily basis, teachers are empowered to adapt. It is expected that a teacher will pace lesson plans to student achievement. And, it is not unusual for a hands-on-experience to enrich a lesson plan, so that students can get a more complete grasp of the material.
These teachers are persistent and focused. They have a vision of what the school can accomplish for its students and strive to make it possible. They have no false illusion that they are creating the perfect school for every student. But they have moved mountains since 1972 to make a better school for their students.
They have imagination. They can see better ways to manage the school without having realized them yet. They employ imagination on a daily basis to thwart the turmoil generated by any middle or high school aged child. They are blessed with powers of patience and observation. They realize that a healthy social component has to be in place for an education to blossom. To make that happen, even within the safe environment of TCS, they observe an individual’s social and educational development and encourage the development of naturally occurring, beneficial relationships.
They have a passion for their work. It drives them to work and buoys their optimism. Seeing the investment that their teachers make in them, students see the potential in themselves and take on the role of mentors to their peers. The energy generated in the classroom opens the doors to curiosity and learning.
The spark that drives TCS is the teachers’ bias for action. They put their ideas to work. They make good use of their optimism, their willingness to change, their persistence and focus, their imagination, patience and powers of observation. Ultimately, the beneficiary of these qualities is the graduate. But with the success of the TCS student — families, teachers and the prospects for the future are brightened.
To find out more about TCS, attend an Open House or arrange for a private tour by calling 610-399-1135.
