In last week’s edition, I started detailing the Randy Boyd-funded University Assisted Community School at Pond Gap Elementary. We continue this week with a focus on the programing that occurred during this pilot UACS.
I stated one of the goals of the UACS staff was to invest in a curriculum that would not be a duplication of the day school. This required creative development of appealing and engaging instructional programs that would meet the other goals of impacting student motivation and increasing short- and long-term student success.
A few of the favorites to accomplish these goals: Circus, music, cooking class and the garden.
Circus: Jake Weinstein and his wife, Lisa, brought in credentialed teachers trained in circus art to produce skills and create positive self-concepts for the students. When I met Jake and Lisa, they had recently returned from the Middle East, where many of their students were blind. I remember seeing Jake as the moral conscience of our staff as he brought out everyone’s potential: both student and teacher. The jaw-dropping acrobatics performed by the students gave visitors and families insight into new dimensions of the importance of self-concept.
Music: Rhonda Mostella, called Ms. Rhonda by all, was not your traditional music teacher. Hard to describe how she brought out the involvement of every student with excitement and participation, but she did. Two outstanding performances were a black adaptation of Cinderella and a performance at the lighting of the Christmas tree at the invitation of Mayor Madeline Rogero.
Cooking Class: Many of our families knew only microwave cooking. Creative thinking and a Dow Chemical grant for $25,000 resulted in a Cornell graduate being hired to teach healthy eating and creative cooking. Not only did the students love this class; they loved the food.
Garden: An organic garden was one of the first programs put into place. The garden had its own water tower. We had several managers who were certified in garden management. A teacher suggested that putting your hands in dirt was calming, so the garden became an integral part of counseling sessions. Pastor John Unthank, who recently passed away, distributed vegetables from the garden to families living in the food desert in Knoxville. This was one of the many ways the Pond Gap UACS was involved in the community.
There were many other programs going during these days including basic services. One of the earliest services we offered was free washers and dryers to families. The Knox County food services department worked with us to serve dinner to the students who participated in the after-school program. Their families were invited to dinner as well to encourage the time together and assist with the evening meal for the family.
We had special programs like the Circus performance, and people pay special interest in our pilot program at Pond Gap.
The Knoxville Opera under the direction of Maestro Brian Salesky came to Pond Gap at least six times. Every performance and interaction was well received by both Pond Gap and the opera company.
Knoxville First Lady Chrissy Haslam visited the program.
State Rep. Gloria Johnson has been a strong supporter with several visits since the inception, including organizing a visit to Memphis with Feroza Freeland and Dareen Basma followed by a return visit with 18 people from Memphis to Pond Gap. One of the 18 thought Pond Gap was a “really neat private school.”
We will continue with the UACS history as well as its present. … See you next week.
Bob Kronick is professor emeritus University of Tennessee. Bob welcomes your comments or questions to rkronick@utk.edu.
