A message from Beth Mai:
It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the community over the past 6+ years in my leadership at Stanton Academy. I started this community project in response to a need for strengths-based, authentic learning opportunities for neurodiverse children in our community and for others seeking a different approach to learning for their child. The goals were to support the well-being of children and to provide support to teachers and parents working through formal learning environments. It was such a pleasure to bring children together in a community that welcomed and nurtured children, many who had exceptionalities or learning needs including autism, ADHD, giftedness, specific learning disabilities in reading and writing, anxiety, medical needs, physical differences that required accommodations and more.
Over the past 6 years, I planned Stanton's year, coordinated with volunteers, developed targeted curriculum for three different age groups based on their interests and readiness to learn, planned lessons, gathered resources, communicated with parents, managed the budget, supported parents behind the scenes and at parent meetings, and more. I didn't advertise it, but all of my contributions have been free-of-charge. I see donating my expertise is a way to the betterment of our community.
For new visitors, Stanton was not a private school (despite its fancy-sounding name, chosen by the kids). Stanton was not designed to compete with public education - that would go against my strong beliefs in the importance of public education to society. Instead, it was offered as an alternative - a supplement - to support the social, emotional, and intellectual well-being of children in our community who needed more support. This past year, a decision was made to put Stanton's programs for children on hold while community volunteers committed to public education focussed on the increased need for parent and student support in public school settings full-time.
That need continues to exist and so our programs for children will not be running in the 2022-2023 school year so that I can focus on helping as many children as possible. I've missed the community and culture of Stanton and I appreciate that Stanton families understand the guiding principles behind this mission and support me and other volunteers to ensure every child can have what they need to be able to learn.
As we know, when we can plan to meet the needs of special education students, the whole community benefits. I will continue what was originally Stanton's secondary mission of supporting parents and teachers along with volunteers who join me. Thank you for your support.
Your friend and leader,
Beth
It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the community over the past 6+ years in my leadership at Stanton Academy. I started this community project in response to a need for strengths-based, authentic learning opportunities for neurodiverse children in our community and for others seeking a different approach to learning for their child. The goals were to support the well-being of children and to provide support to teachers and parents working through formal learning environments. It was such a pleasure to bring children together in a community that welcomed and nurtured children, many who had exceptionalities or learning needs including autism, ADHD, giftedness, specific learning disabilities in reading and writing, anxiety, medical needs, physical differences that required accommodations and more.
Over the past 6 years, I planned Stanton's year, coordinated with volunteers, developed targeted curriculum for three different age groups based on their interests and readiness to learn, planned lessons, gathered resources, communicated with parents, managed the budget, supported parents behind the scenes and at parent meetings, and more. I didn't advertise it, but all of my contributions have been free-of-charge. I see donating my expertise is a way to the betterment of our community.
For new visitors, Stanton was not a private school (despite its fancy-sounding name, chosen by the kids). Stanton was not designed to compete with public education - that would go against my strong beliefs in the importance of public education to society. Instead, it was offered as an alternative - a supplement - to support the social, emotional, and intellectual well-being of children in our community who needed more support. This past year, a decision was made to put Stanton's programs for children on hold while community volunteers committed to public education focussed on the increased need for parent and student support in public school settings full-time.
That need continues to exist and so our programs for children will not be running in the 2022-2023 school year so that I can focus on helping as many children as possible. I've missed the community and culture of Stanton and I appreciate that Stanton families understand the guiding principles behind this mission and support me and other volunteers to ensure every child can have what they need to be able to learn.
As we know, when we can plan to meet the needs of special education students, the whole community benefits. I will continue what was originally Stanton's secondary mission of supporting parents and teachers along with volunteers who join me. Thank you for your support.
Your friend and leader,
Beth