A look back – 8 years of excellence
I just listened to the podcast of Dr. Karla Brooks Baehr’s last interview with WUML/Sunrise on June 10th (still playing catch-up after the blog problems). I’m still a little melancholy about seeing her leave Lowell, but I think we were so lucky to have her for 8 years. She, however, is always upbeat and optimistic and indicated that just as she had been able to build on the work of her predecessor, George Tsapasaris, who was instrumental in getting the new schools built in Lowell, her successor, Dr. Scott, will be able to put her stamp on the Lowell schools. Karla is most proud of what has gone on inside the classroom and how that experience has changed since 2000, so that students are more active in their learning, helping each other learn, discussing what they are learning and responding to lessons in more sophisticated ways. The Freshman Academy is another highlight of her legacy. Created in 2003 to deal with the overcrowded high school, they use a team approach to help students through the critical freshman year, intervening to support those who are struggling or at-risk. In a few years, they have managed to cut the failure and absentee rates for freshmen in half! When asked what she felt was left unfinished during her tenure, she noted the need to make more effective use of technology, both to support teaching and learning and to support parent and community involvement with the schools (yes!) She also said that a renewed focus on Science was needed, especially since she had had to dismantle the program at the elementary level in 2003 due to budget cuts, and she hoped that there would be an effort to rebuild the Science program at all levels. Once again, we thank Dr. Baehr and wish her the best for the future as we look forward to great things from our new superintendent, Dr. Chris Scott.