4 minute read
Relationships: The Key To Success
Relationships: The Key To Success
Contributor: Justin Neel, Principal, Caddo Hills High School
Can you remember your favorite class or subject from high school? I’m pretty sure it had more to do with the person teaching the class than it did with the actual subject. The teacher was able to cultivate a passion and desire from you about whatever topic they discussed in class because they knew you and your classmates. They worked hard to develop a strong professional learning relationship that withstood tough conversations, rigorous assignments, and fair grading. From it all you emerged stronger, wiser, and dedicated in your pursuit of your personal success.
For many students in our great state they find joy in school because of the people that work in education. They are inspired and impacted by their teachers, coaches, and administrators. Together they forge bonds that last well beyond that graduation ceremony and with just a glance at the grocery store or smile in the parking lot they pick up right where they left off. The need for positive professional relationships within our school system is vital to the future of our state and national economy.
Caddo Academy is education built for our students. Our focus is simple, we strive to create an engaging learning environment for all students, no matter their academic ability. We believe that every student has greatness at their core and with the right relationships we can foster a positive learning environment in which every student can GROW into their calling. Starting this school year, we have implemented the Leader in Me curriculum during a dedicated period daily on our campus for grades 7-12. This Leadership period focuses on the seven habits of highly effective people. Our staff and student leadership have been equipped through training and have implemented programming this year. This focus for social and emotional learning will build the foundation needed to carry out the mission of Caddo Academy.
Caddo Academy is not stopping at just engagement, we also want to expose students to their potential career paths and expectations after high school. We are building synergy around our current and expanded career and technical education programming, as well as, partnering with two regional community colleges to offer students as many career and technical pathways as possible. Through a 1.25-million-dollar charter school sub-grant funded by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center we have been able to transform our campus into a hub for career and technical programming offering 11 career pathways on campus and even more through our partnerships. We are investing in equipment, high-quality instructional materials, and resources that will give our Indians access to the same programming as larger schools. We are ensuring that our students zip code does not determine their potential.
Our desire is to empower students to make the best decision for them to become Life Ready. We desire to see Caddo PROud graduates that possess the skills and determination to evolve in our ever-changing workforce. By starting the first entrepreneurship and community leadership focused high school in Arkansas, we hope to instill a growth mindset in our students that creates the jobs of the future while maintaining our core belief in community.
This investment and innovation Caddo Hills School District is making in Caddo Academy is all about building and maintaining strong professional relationships between our staff, students, families, and community. We hope to engage learners every day, expose them to their potential futures, and empower them to make the best decisions about their future. Our community is focused on helping every student become life ready. We realize that money and programming alone will not make the necessary changes to impact student learning and growth that we desire to see. Our staff is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and community to better prepare our Indians. It’s always a great day to be a Caddo Hills Indian and at Caddo Academy the Education is Built for YOU!
