Marva Collins
Our school is not the only Westside School in the world, nor is it yet the most famous. That recognition likely belongs to the Westside Preparatory School of Chicago. How that school became famous is something we know, respect, and honor.
Its fame arose through the extraordinary success of its students, most of whom scored way above their grade level in standardized tests used in the public system in Chicago, and only used at Westside Prep to demonstrate to a doubting bureaucracy that its dismissive (fearful?) criticisms were unfounded.
It was an independent school, with fees only what each family could afford, in a significantly impoverished and distressed neighborhood, because its founder wanted no constraints on curriculum or pedagogy and so refused any State Board of Education grants. Years later, such Boards of Education may well have felt relief when the founder of the school, and, for all its early years its only teacher, was asked by President Reagan of the USA to join his Cabinet as Secretary of Education but declined because she wished to continue teaching.
This force of nature whose school grew from eight students in her home, to 200 in another humble building later (and with 800 students on the waitlist!), was Marva Collins. The reason the school grew in such numbers was the success of the students and incredible marketing force that grew from thrilled, and amazed, parents and former students.
Clearly, there was magic in this lady, and methods that worked with all her students. What they were can be found in detail in several books, movies on YouTube, and articles easily discovered on Google. Interested readers may best begin by reading 'Marva Collins Way'.
For now, though, I share with you the essence of this lady's success:
She was truly well-educated person herself.
She had an unshakeable belief that every child should succeed.
She knew that children would learn only from teachers who truly cared for them, and so insisted on respectful manners and behaviour, and kept them free of fear of failure, humiliation, and poor self-image, the better to ensure a school that was a psychologically safe place for all.
She insisted on frequent reading and writing, through which children learn about their world and how what may seem separate matters when taught in subject silos, readily connect in thinking minds.
It may be that not every teacher can be as effective as Marva Collins but I, for one, do not believe that. I do believe that every teacher should be encouraged and supported to aspire to, and reach, her standards.
Just as enrolment was critical to the sustainability of the eight-student Westside Prep, so it now is to our Westside School, and just as the parents became the market force for Marva Collins, spreading the good word of outstanding effect, so I hope you will not only re-enrol your children, but spread your good words to friends and associates whenever you have the opportunity.
As you do that, our teachers will continue the work so warmly praised recently by the Ministry Inspector, while caring sincerely for each child, and for each other.