I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT..

One week ago Thursday we finished our first full school year at Mighty Oak Academy. One of the main things we talked about with our students and our staff throughout the school year is our goal of fostering a sense of school family. School family infused everything we did, how we taught, how we loved the kids, how we handled melt downs and arguments, everything. And just like in a real family we had our ups and downs throughout the year, but when it came time for the final day of school, I was unprepared for the kids’ reactions to leaving for summer break.

Nathaniel on the left getting ready for our school Derby celebrations.

My first indication that this was not a normal, run out the door, barely wave to your teacher excited for summer break reaction was Nathaniel coming upstairs after his 3rd grade class was dismissed for the last time. He had his arms wrapped tight around him with tears streaming down his face as he plopped down on the gym steps and took in a sob. Nicole, our school administrator, and I were at the front door waiting to greet the students and say goodbye and wish them a happy summer. We both went over to Nathaniel and asked what was wrong. Nathaniel had struggled all year with regulating his emotions, so my first thought was, someone had said something to him, or he was upset because he felt someone was cheating at a game we had played earlier in the day for field day. While he gasped for air between sobs Nicole continued to try to figure out what had happened. “I…don’t…want….to…leave…schooool!” he cried finally through sniffles and buried his head in his arms.

Jacob posing with his "trophy" for winning our derby day races.

Nicole knelt down to comfort him. I turned to greet other students leaving, wiping tears away from my own eyes. A few minutes later one of Nathaniel’s classmates, Jacob, came upstairs looking for his sister Jocelyn from our 4th/5th grade class. His eyes were red and he was also sobbing that he didn’t want to leave school. He turned to go to the back door where his mom was waiting to pick him and his sister up. Before I knew it, Jocelyn came to the front, also crying. “Thank you… for giving…me all the…opportunities to learn and grow this year,” she said through gulping sobs. I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. I pulled her to my side in a hug around the stacks of projects and papers she was carrying to bring home. “You’re welcome,” was all I could manage.

Jocelyn giving a presentation on their field trip to Bellarmine University.

It was certainly not the emotional reaction I was expecting from our students on the last day of school before summer break. Normally kids would be eager to go, excited to start their summer adventures, not sobbing that they don’t want to leave. I thought back to the start of the year, and in particular, about those three students. There wasn’t a day that went by, where Nathaniel didn’t have either a run in with another student, a melt down over having to do schoolwork, or walk out of class when he was frustrated. There were many days I would hear Nathaniel say, “I hate this school, I don’t want to go here anymore!” Jacob on the other hand would try everything he could to get out of class. Most days he would have a litany of health ailments he was convinced required his mom be called, and he go home. His, throat, stomach, arm, leg, hand, everything just hurt, with this indiscriminate ache, that magically went away for P.E. class and came back after lunch when it was time to do math. Jocelyn has a big personality, and there wasn’t a week that went by there wasn’t some disagreement or hurt feelings, or sense of offense that caused her to declare she hated this school and was not going to come back the next day.

There were more tears on the last day from students than just Nathaniel, Jacob, and Jocelyn, but these three stood out as the most surprising change in attitude and emotion regarding school. It was clear to me after witnessing their unexpected display of emotions that unbeknownst to our teachers and staff, we had created the sense of family we were looking for. Even while going through the day to day and loving the kids through their melt downs, and outbursts, they felt safe at school, they felt loved at school, and they were not ready to leave that environment. It was probably one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed in all the years at Love City. All the hard days of the school year were worth it, Love is winning.

FISHFRY FRIDAYS!

We are now two weeks into running weekly fish fry's only on Fridays in the old Porkland BBQ space, and it has been amazing to still be able to see the community come out in force. We've updated and streamlined our menu, keeping some favorites and making the menu easier to do just one day a week. Be sure to remember to stop by this coming Friday!

MIGHTY OAK IS HIRING!

Our enrollment is doubling next school year and we are expanding our staff to be able to serve all our student's needs. We are hiring more teachers for additional classrooms next year. Below is a summary of the teacher job posting. You can find a full description of the teacher job, as well as links to all of the additional jobs we have open. If you or anyone you know might be interested in joining the MOA staff this year, please forward them the job posting. All postings are also on Indeed.

TEACHER JOB POSTING AT MIGHTY OAK ACADEMY

The Teachers report to the Instructional Coach and are responsible for leading their own instruction as well as collaborating on a teaching team to facilitate learning across multiple elementary classrooms. Teachers are tone setters for the school and responsible for high quality instruction, culture building within and across classrooms. Teachers will also need to be able to deeply integrate academics, socio emotional learning and health in our classrooms daily. Mighty Oak Academy is a new school, and as we learn and grow, we respond and adapt to the needs of our students and staff. This year we will have teachers working on teams across 2-3 grade levels to address different subjects, integrate project-based learning and adjust classes to skill level rather than grade level.

Some highlights from the job responsibilities:

Annual, weekly, and daily instructional planning tailored to the needs of each child
Instructional delivery in large group, small group, and individualized formats
Collaboration with other teachers to practice skills and jointly problem solve
Partner with instructional support team, behavioral support team and other related service providers to provide personalized supports for students with identified needs
Create a safe and enjoyable educational environment that encompasses project-based learning.
Use the school’s social emotional learning techniques for encouraging the social emotional development of children that builds a healthy, safe, loving school environment.
Manage classrooms effectively so that children feel loved, safe and want to learn.

Some highlights from the job qualifications:

You have a bachelor’s degree
You have a minimum of 3 years of experience as a classroom teacher and hold deep and diverse instructional competence
Your work demonstrates a practice of creating transformative classroom culture for all kids. You take proactive steps to build an equitable classroom practice
You have a parent- and family-centered mindset
You recognize the multidimensional needs of children and families, because in your own way, you’ve been trying to weave education, health, and family support services together for your students

For the full job posting and to see all our other open positions please click on the following link:

Job Postings at Mighty Oak Academy

PARTNER WITH US

At Love City we believe in time, talent and treasure.

If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.

Please consider partnering financially with Love City. We are looking for sponsors for students at Mighty Oak Academy as well as partners to help fund construction of our new preschool. Click the button below to donate today.

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I wasn't expecting that..