Return to FREIRE: AN INSIDE LOOK
*This interview was conducted via email.
From your view, who are the students at Freire? What do they want from schooling? Their lives?
Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The majority of them have come from low income backgrounds and schools that have not sufficiently prepared them for our rigorous standards. They are sweet and loving kids who, for the most part, want to do their best and become something. They want to get out of Philadelphia and go to college. There are a handful who don't have dreams for college but I am of the belief that not all students should go to college (it's not for everyone!)
There are some students whose parents are college educated or have gone back later in life. They send their kids to our school because they have dreams for their kids to go to college after high school and not mimic the way they have gone through life.
What is it like to be a counselor at Freire? What roles do you see yourself as having at the school?
I absolutely love my job. I feel very valued and I know that teachers respect what I do every day. I meet with students all day, call parents, monitor things in PowerSchool, schedule parent meetings, and talk to students about career, college, and how they can get involved and be a more well-rounded student. I keep meticulous records and also work with a lot of data and spreadsheets.
(Freire's website on PowerSchool: "Freire manages its student records via PowerSchool, a password-protected online database system. Parents/Guardians may access PowerSchool from home or work to monitor the progress of their student." http://freirecharterschool.org/?page_id=56)
From your view, who are the students at Freire? What do they want from schooling? Their lives?
Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The majority of them have come from low income backgrounds and schools that have not sufficiently prepared them for our rigorous standards. They are sweet and loving kids who, for the most part, want to do their best and become something. They want to get out of Philadelphia and go to college. There are a handful who don't have dreams for college but I am of the belief that not all students should go to college (it's not for everyone!)
There are some students whose parents are college educated or have gone back later in life. They send their kids to our school because they have dreams for their kids to go to college after high school and not mimic the way they have gone through life.
What is it like to be a counselor at Freire? What roles do you see yourself as having at the school?
I absolutely love my job. I feel very valued and I know that teachers respect what I do every day. I meet with students all day, call parents, monitor things in PowerSchool, schedule parent meetings, and talk to students about career, college, and how they can get involved and be a more well-rounded student. I keep meticulous records and also work with a lot of data and spreadsheets.
(Freire's website on PowerSchool: "Freire manages its student records via PowerSchool, a password-protected online database system. Parents/Guardians may access PowerSchool from home or work to monitor the progress of their student." http://freirecharterschool.org/?page_id=56)
Freire is a bit different in that we have a separate department for our students who have a need for social/emotional counseling. They are a family therapy team so I don't do much of that. This is outside the traditional idea of school counselors, and my title is Academic Advisor.
As the 9th grade counselor my role is unique from all of the other advisors. I monitor my students' progress and evaluate them 5 times a year to see if they are creating good habits and have good, positive academic behaviors. We do this through a process called "green shirt evaluations" and students can earn their way out of their uniforms and their mandatory 7th class which happens twice a week after school called Skills Center.
What are the teachers and administrators like at Freire?
Teachers and administrators alike are all dedicated working professionals who care deeply for the well-being of our students. It is clear every day that they want our students to succeed and follow their dreams. Our teachers are some of the hardest working people I know and I am proud every day to work beside them.
As the 9th grade counselor my role is unique from all of the other advisors. I monitor my students' progress and evaluate them 5 times a year to see if they are creating good habits and have good, positive academic behaviors. We do this through a process called "green shirt evaluations" and students can earn their way out of their uniforms and their mandatory 7th class which happens twice a week after school called Skills Center.
What are the teachers and administrators like at Freire?
Teachers and administrators alike are all dedicated working professionals who care deeply for the well-being of our students. It is clear every day that they want our students to succeed and follow their dreams. Our teachers are some of the hardest working people I know and I am proud every day to work beside them.
How would you describe the neighborhood/community surrounding Freire?
Working in center city is a privilege. I think it truly offers our students a good perspective on what life is like in the "wealthier" part of their city. Often times it can feel like they are in an entirely different city. As freshmen, students can't go out for lunch. This is another benefit to making it through our school and getting to 10th grade (which is harder than you might think with a 75% passing grade).
Any other comments about your experience at Freire would be great!
I will reiterate, I absolutely love my job. I feel valued and supported every day. The kids make every negative worth it (and there are days that make me rethink everything). Kids are my medicine and can always be the bright and shiny part of my day. Even when I'm delivering bad news, I know that if a student wants to make a change and improve their lives, they will.
Working in center city is a privilege. I think it truly offers our students a good perspective on what life is like in the "wealthier" part of their city. Often times it can feel like they are in an entirely different city. As freshmen, students can't go out for lunch. This is another benefit to making it through our school and getting to 10th grade (which is harder than you might think with a 75% passing grade).
Any other comments about your experience at Freire would be great!
I will reiterate, I absolutely love my job. I feel valued and supported every day. The kids make every negative worth it (and there are days that make me rethink everything). Kids are my medicine and can always be the bright and shiny part of my day. Even when I'm delivering bad news, I know that if a student wants to make a change and improve their lives, they will.
Image Credits:
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-public-colleges-with-the-lowest-average-graduat/images/10-best-public-colleges-lowest-debt-at-graduation.jpg
http://freirecharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/DSC00198-300x225.jpg
http://homesincentercity.com/philaskyline.jpg
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-public-colleges-with-the-lowest-average-graduat/images/10-best-public-colleges-lowest-debt-at-graduation.jpg
http://freirecharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/DSC00198-300x225.jpg
http://homesincentercity.com/philaskyline.jpg
Return to FREIRE: AN INSIDE LOOK