My name is Adam Gerlach. I have been a 6th grade teacher at American Preparatory Academy for the last 6 years. (with one year at Legacy Prep sandwiched in there) I have been often amazed at the differing levels of education available to our children, and have also been disheartened by the lack of education that many of our children are getting on a daily basis. I want to create a school that people can say that their children are receiving the best education available. I am tired of hearing people say that the school that their children attends is "Ok".
I am currently teaching at Glendale Middle School, (one of the worst performing schools in the state) my teaching partner (Anthony Sudweeks) and I have been able to turn the 6th grade around completely this year. The 6th grade is currently outpacing the rest of the district in levels of performance and proficiency. Part of the reason that we have been able to do this is due to using research proven teaching techniques and research based curriculum. We have been able to group our students into achievement levels and help each and every student on their own level. These levels have ranged from Addition to Pre-Algebra in Mathematics; and Decoding/Letter Recognition to Novels in Reading. All of this educational disparity exists within 270 6th grade students. The typical behavior problems in the 6th grade have been reduced to a minimum. The student confidence and achievement is higher than it has ever been.
I believe that by using the same methods and Curriculum that we can deliver the best education to families in the Farmington, Utah area.
The school would be based upon:
Core Knowledge Sequence
Researched based Curriculum
Reading Mastery
Saxon Math
Shurley Grammar
Explicit Fast Paced Instruction
Character Development
Individualized Achievement Grouping
Data Driven Instruction
Well said Adam. My name is Anthony Sudweeks. I taught at American Preparatory Academy (currently rated the number 1 charter school in the state) and now teach at Glendale Middle (3rd worst school in the state). I'm really excited about developing a world class public charter school in Farmington. Using the proven strategies and methods that Adam described, it’s entirely possible to build a school that is truly worthy of our children. Our public school system is the victim of a 25 year experiment of a failed educational philosophy that preaches against mathematics, memorization, and against all real intellectual growth. The school Adam and I envision would be one of academic rigor and college preparedness.
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