East Prairie Project

Martin Elementary, East Prairie, MO

Doyle Elementary, East Prairie, MO

“The PassageWays experience can truly heal broken spirits and inspire each of us to be happy, safe, secure and connected to each other. We CAN feel the strength of self and support of others.”  -Mellisa Heath, Principal, Doyle Elementary

 

"We are closer and the students try harder — they have more confidence… I see the students being helpful to each other and caring more for each other’s feelings."  -East Prairie Teacher

Initiated by Paul Katnick, (Director of the Leadership Academy for Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and implemented by two principals in East Prairie, our Missouri Demonstration and Research Site is in its third year of serving 650 students per year pre-K through grade six in this small, rural town. The entire faculty of over 60 teachers have been trained in our model and have implemented our core practices school-wide, creating a significant shift in school culture. In addition, Martin Elementary purchased and implemented our Making Healthy Transitions out of Elementary School curriculum for their 6th grade and created a unique anti-bullying program with our model. In the fall of 2007 Doyle Elementary began piloting our new Kindergarten First Steps curriculum.

        I had just begun my second year as principal when my whole staff participated in the PassageWorks training. At first many teachers were apprehensive about the training. It was the fear of the unknown or unfamiliar. During the two and a half days of training, the staff began to relate to one another on a different level. The conversations went from work related to really talking to each other about hobbies, families, etc. Barriers built from hard feelings and misinterpreted gestures started to crumble through the activities that we did during the training. One of the teachers actually told her adversary she admired her dedication to her students.

        Once school began, I noticed the school year started very smoothly. It was as if we were a “family”. One of the new teachers to the building said, “I felt like I was a part of this staff from the beginning. The training helped me to get to know my colleagues as people.” This was one of the best things I have ever asked my staff to do. It brought us closer together as a team, which ultimately affects our relationships with the kids.

-Donna Turnbo Smith, Principal, Martin Elementary