Learning & Instruction
Many students come to Eastside Academy because they have not found meaning, value, or success in a traditional school. They are not seeking a school that simply repackages traditional instruction with fewer students in the room. They are hoping for – and they deserve – a different approach to learning.
Our Teaching Philosophy
Eastside Academy leverages the very unique opportunity for a student’s learning to be supported by their counseling, and vice versa. These two pillars of school life work in tandem, aligning in real time to provide real world opportunities to develop stronger habits and skills.
At Eastside Academy, we are designing a unique approach that reframes the reason for learning. We do not simply learn to memorize information, take a test, check a box, and move on to the next thing. We learn because it helps us know ourselves better, to discover our unique gifts and develop those gifts in pursuit of our true purpose. We learn because it helps us better understand the world around us and how we can solve today’s problems. We learn because it helps us understand each other, building stronger and healthier relationships.
With these priorities at the foundation of our learning and instruction, the classroom at Eastside Academy takes a different shape. Learning at EA aligns with state standards and expectations, but our approach asks students to take a more personal role in what they learn and how they demonstrate that learning. We try to provide flexibility so that students can take personal responsibility and include their own voice in the learning process. We want students to be active participants in their education.
This approach to learning presents tremendous opportunities for growth in our students. It can also challenge them in new ways. Recognizing a need for support, our licensed therapists work with students to build the skills and resilience needed to for success.
EA's openness was the first aspect that attracted me to the school. I loved seeing the way staff interacted with and supported students, and I wanted to also be a part of that change in students lives. Typical school settings often leave staff and students unable to fully connect; you get caught in the rush of trying to complete every task as a checklist, which is not what education is meant to be. I love being able to serve in a school setting where I can focus on each student's individual needs and growth, and I am able to grow alongside my students as I continue to learn from them and show them God's love.
