Academies in Action: The Promise of a New Year

Each month, we take a moment to learn from the educational leaders who bring the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out. This month, we asked our academy leaders to respond to this prompt: Looking ahead to 2022, what is your fondest hope for the graduation candidates who will come to your academy to pursue their dream of a high school diploma? Here is what they had to say.

In 2022, our hope is that our graduation candidates develop skills both academically and personally to help them own their success. We want our GCs to realize all of their potential in life, feel successful reaching their goals, and experience all of the opportunities that are available to them when they have their diploma in hand. We want the GCs to know that we are here for them in every aspect of life, not just the academics.

— Alison Hansen, Director, Bethel (WA)

We want our GCs to launch 2022 strong and empowered. Equipped with feedback on their previous year’s performance, each GC will be invited to set measurable goals (short and long-term), develop an action plan with our staff to attain those goals and refine their habits of practice to be even more successful at accelerating their progress toward graduation. Each New Year brings renewed possibilities to change and I wish for each GC a year of health, happiness and unprecedented growth.

— Wendy Thompson, Director, Clark County (NV)

In 2022, I hope the GCs of Escambia County embrace the New Year with positive attitudes and perseverance. I am so proud of our team and their dedication to motivating and encouraging the GCs daily. We support every learner who comes to our academy socially, emotionally, and academically. It is our hope that every one embraces each small step they take toward the big graduation goal. Every step matters. There are opportunities and new beginnings that will follow graduation, so don’t give up.

— Maria Jacobs, Director, Escambia County (FL)

For 2022, my hope is that every GC learns to take full advantage of the opportunities that are afforded to them at LAA. I want each GC to fully know and experience that failure is not an option here. We want to capture their spirits and empower them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

— Dr. Jacinta Bryant, Director, Lowcountry Acceleration Academy

This past year renewed our faith that good things can come from the worst of times. Young people all over the world are becoming advocates for various global problems and raising their voices on issues that matter. My hope is that we can call on our GCs to rise up, own their success as they become high school graduates, and continue to spread love and self-care as we all work together to create a better future.

— Gina Montagnino-Fiske, Director, Miami-Dade (FL)

As we look forward to 2022, my hope is that each GC feels supported, known and successful at SAA. I hope that each GC knows that he or she can come to us with questions, concerns and challenges and our staff will walk alongside them. They are not alone.

— Monetta Ruskin, Director, Sarasota (FL).

In 2022, as in every year, I hope that the GCs who walk through the doors of SLAA truly learn to understand their worth. So many of our young people come to us defeated in a myriad of ways and our mission is to help them realize that they are so much more than their past setbacks. Acceleration Academies really is a place of hope, a place where our GCs can finally be successful.

— Paige Latham, Director, St. Lucie (FL).