This is a two part series with the second series coming tomorrow. I know that schools are important to know about and understand for many people moving to a new area. Today I am taking us on an interesting journey of the first of two very incredible schools in Colorado Springs. What makes them so important? Who they are and what they stand for.
What started as a Teen Center in an old Goodill Building on the West side of Colorado Springs has grown into its own. Colorado Springs's TESLA Educational Opportunity Center is an incredible school that gives far more than it gets. We often hear about the top schools for sports, etc. in the state but don't hear about the schools that really make a difference. TESLA is a school for kids who just don't do well in traditional schools. Specifically those kids who have been kicked out of other schools in the area find TESLA as their last option. For more information about TESLA and what is available here click on the following link to access their home page. http://www.d11.org/tesla/
One often unknown program but powerful and life changing is the Nueva Ventura Program, run by Director and Assistant Principal Kathy Stultz. Nueva is partially based on the idea that "all kids learn just not the same way on the same day" W.M. Spady. Kids here find opportunities and support to overcome personal challenges. There prorgram base and structure is completely focused on empowering each student to succeed achademically and behaviorally. Here is the website for more information. http://www.d11.org/tesla/Nueva_Ventura_homepage.htm
TESLA is a landmark for Colorado Springs because it offers the reminder every day that kids are not given up on and success is possible. For example, every November,Ms. Stultz offers students the chance to watch documentaries written and produced by women for week. That Friday the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival (http://www.rmwfilmfest.org/) brings the filmmakers to TESLA for a Film Makers Forum with the kids. More than one filmmaker has said it was a life changing experience. I believe this to be true for the kids as well.
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