What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Charter Elementary
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence Elementary has done plenty of growing in the last 13 years. The K-5 Public Charter now has nearly 500 students. That kind of growth year over year is a validating example of what’s right with our schools.
Dr. Jennifer Huskins in the Principal.
She explains, “We use a very rigorous liberal arts curriculum of core knowledge, and so while our students are learning to read and write, they’re also learning science and social studies.”
Huskins continues,” And our teachers work very diligently to ensure that we’re building background knowledge from science and social studies, while we’re teaching students to read. Also, when they’re reading to learn. We are a public school. We are held to the same state expectations in Tennessee and in the country. The difference is we um have the autonomy to choose our curriculum; to make changes as needed for what our students need. If a student needs um, a different reading we can actually work with that student. We create individual plans as needed for our students academically, behaviorally. Socially they each have a menu, and the first part is where they can practice writing their name.
Slone Cannon teaches first grade girls.
Cannon says,” Everybody learns differently. So, we’re able to take the curriculum that they provide with us, and make it our own for what is best suited for the needs of our children. Um versus just following verbatim. Everything that we have to do, we’re allowed to put our spins on it, to make it more enjoyable and something that our Scholars will really absorb and take with them.”
Alex Oliver is the Assistant Principal.
Oliver explains,” We have amazing teachers in this building. We do give the teachers the opportunity to teach. That is what their job is. That’s what their profession is. They are the experts. We want them to be able to prosper and flourish in their classroom. And that’s one thing that I’ve seen uh Chattanooga Charter. And this organization do is give that back to the teachers to allow them to flourish in those different Realms.”
Principal Huskins concludes, ” When it comes to their own classroom, we are a core knowledge school we chose to do that based on the research and the rigor. However, we have students during other times during the day that may receive additional phonic support, additional comprehension support. Um not just through the RTI program, but just because that is what that student needs in this moment. Just come see what we’re about we would love to show you CH Charter School of Excellence Elementary.”
