Michelle Rose Gilman, who is the founder of Fusion Academy & Learning Centers, an alternative private middle and secondary school, which has 17 locations in California and the east Coast, talked to Lon Woodbury, the radio talk show host on Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on L.A. Talk Radio, about her vision of transforming education and learning into just what a school can be.
Michelle Gilman
Michelle Rose Gilman is both the President and the Founder of Fusion Academy. She began her academy in 1989 with six students who were coming out of psychiatric hospitals. She holds a BS in Special Education from the University of South Florida, as well as a certification in Special Education.
The Struggle For Revolutionizing Education Into Just what A School CAN Be
Michelle began the interview on the theme of revolutionizing education into what a school can be by describing her school's alternative approach to today's mainstream education which is focused on an impersonal approach to rigorous academics.
Although conventional education talks about the concept of no child left, it fails to comprehend the requirements of each kid. By contrast, her school approached things in three different ways:
1. Enrollment is year round, and every student has the freedom to set up their own schedules. Students were also given the option to choose the traditional academic year, which started in September and finished in June. Besides deciding on when to begin the school year, pupils could also pick what time they can start the day. For instance, actors, athletes or those with special needs can start at midday if they wish to free up their mornings for other things.
2. Mastery learning is all about offering one-to-one tutoring in a setting which looks more like the teacher's living room than a classroom. Educators use creative ways to engage students in the learning project and the courses do not proceed until a youngster masters earlier skills. This system works equally well for those have learning troubles or those who are unusually gifted.
The third thing that is different is that students are taught to trust the school environment. One way this is done is through the Arts and Music Programs which is designed to foster creative expression. While the fine art studio provides a wide range of artistic mediums, musicians are assisted with student music labs and an advanced recording workshop. One more special feature is the Homework Cafe which allows students to complete all their homework at school. Homework is not a source of conflicts with parents nor a source of disappointment at having no time to play after school.
Michelle Gilman
Michelle Rose Gilman is both the President and the Founder of Fusion Academy. She began her academy in 1989 with six students who were coming out of psychiatric hospitals. She holds a BS in Special Education from the University of South Florida, as well as a certification in Special Education.
The Struggle For Revolutionizing Education Into Just what A School CAN Be
Michelle began the interview on the theme of revolutionizing education into what a school can be by describing her school's alternative approach to today's mainstream education which is focused on an impersonal approach to rigorous academics.
Although conventional education talks about the concept of no child left, it fails to comprehend the requirements of each kid. By contrast, her school approached things in three different ways:
1. Enrollment is year round, and every student has the freedom to set up their own schedules. Students were also given the option to choose the traditional academic year, which started in September and finished in June. Besides deciding on when to begin the school year, pupils could also pick what time they can start the day. For instance, actors, athletes or those with special needs can start at midday if they wish to free up their mornings for other things.
2. Mastery learning is all about offering one-to-one tutoring in a setting which looks more like the teacher's living room than a classroom. Educators use creative ways to engage students in the learning project and the courses do not proceed until a youngster masters earlier skills. This system works equally well for those have learning troubles or those who are unusually gifted.
The third thing that is different is that students are taught to trust the school environment. One way this is done is through the Arts and Music Programs which is designed to foster creative expression. While the fine art studio provides a wide range of artistic mediums, musicians are assisted with student music labs and an advanced recording workshop. One more special feature is the Homework Cafe which allows students to complete all their homework at school. Homework is not a source of conflicts with parents nor a source of disappointment at having no time to play after school.
About the Author:
Lon Woodbury, the founder of Struggling Teens, has recorded the entire interview on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to listen to at their convenience.
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