From academics to activism: helping students reach their potential; the HSEE challenges educators to improve academic delivery and become activists to help our students

Leadership, May-June, 2002 by Steve Olsen

Each year we also hold a Continuation and Alternative Education Summit that brings together teachers, administrators, counselors and classified staff to hear keynote speakers. Most importantly, the summit provides the opportunity for teachers countywide to share successful practices in the educational setting.

Finally, we all know the key to having our students succeed is having teachers that truly want to be in an alternative educational setting. It takes a special person to understand the students we see every day. Not only do our staff members need to teach the standards, prepare students to pass the HSEE and improve the school's ASAM, but they must be counselors, disciplinarians, friends, advisors and mentors. Each person on the team needs to help students overcome weaknesses and mistakes and find solutions to their problems.

Becoming activists for our students

We have challenges but we also have the opportunity to improve our continuation high school programs by changing our academic delivery system, and, as administrators, by becoming activists to assist our students. With hard work and compassion, our NASDAQ start-up stocks will make all of us a wealthier people.

Steve Olsen is principal of Chaparral High School in Ojai. He was the 1999-2000 ACSA Continuation and Alternative Education Options Administrator of the Year and is serving his fourth year as mayor of the City of Ojai.