Advanced Technologies Academy

I’m desperately hoping that the CLOSED information about this school gets changed ASAP! I am so passionate about this institution, and I think that parents and student need to know!
P.S.
ATA is short for Advanced Technologies Academy!
I began my Substitute Teaching career (let’s be truthful, this is NO career, it’s a «simply in the meantime» kinda gig) three years ago at the request of my highly educated, teacher of a mother after many-​a-​job hunts came up as dry as the desert we reside. My very first day on the job was subbing for my mom’s class (she teaches World History AP @ ATA), and I was flabbergasted by these children. WHAT CHARACTER… SUCH A DESIRE TO LEARN!!! I thought to myself, «Oh heak yeah, this is what teaching is all about!» It was such a good day, and it inspired me to take more jobs at other schools!
=)
That SMILE could only last so long… I was quickly disturbed by the utter lack of moral, ethical, & educational responsibility students at other Middle and High Schools had. DISTURBING!!! These children at other schools feel entitled to everything. «You owe me this!» and «I deserve a better grade!»…where I come from, that S**T doesn’t fly! YOU EARN IT, plain and simple! They think that a money tree will blossom in their yard one day and that learning is a futile concept (we all know that they didn’t use the word FUTILE though!), but you get the idea. It’s a ridiculous notion and it makes me both sad and scared for the future of these children. Now, this is not to say that ALL other schools are bad and that teachers and students don’t care… that’s simply not true. It’s just that ATA is like this hidden gem of a high school and at the end of the day, if I haven’t spent my time subbing there, something just doesn’t feel right.
I want people to know about this institution and I want them to understand the depth of GREATNESS that this school embodies! ATA’s mission statement reads:
The mission of Advanced Technologies Academy (A-​TECH) is to empower a diverse student body by teaching academic concepts and technological skills and by instilling in students the importance of effective, responsible application of their knowledge to succeed in a highly competitive, technologically changing world.
Yeah, yeah, YEAH… you’re probably thinking, «Lots of places attach a „Mission Statement“ to their building or website, but how many actually ad hear to it?»
THIS PLACE DOES! There are core values at this school that drive the student and teachers alike to better themselves and the people around them. Hell, these people INSPIRE ME! There’s a genuine LOVE of LEARNING in this building and a desire to go off and take on the world. These kids have the moral fortitude to do what’s right and at the end of the day, they understand the GIFT OF FREE EDUCATION THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING!
(sigh)
Let me continue this tangent a moment longer…
~These children are producing the HIGHEST Advanced Placement scores in the state!
They are receiving full ride scholarships to IVY freakn’ LEAGUE COLLEGES!!!
~They are ambassadors for business and travel the world on school holidays!
~They are National Merit Scholars!
=)
This year I will watch my FIRST group of students walk across the stage as they receive their diplomas… and I feel like the proudest mother ever! Well, maybe not mother because I’m only ten years older than this group, but definitely a proud sister! =)
To me, this is the ideal high school situation…
~Small class sizes (16 to 26 ppl)
~High achieving students
~Teachers that LOVE their job
~And opportunity to become something GREAT in an environment that wants exactly that for you!
I don’t know much, but I do know this, and I make sure to remind my students:
YOU ARE GIVEN ONE OPPORTUNITY AT A FREE EDUCATION AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RETAIN AS MUCH OF THAT AS YOU CAN!