The Arts are Alive in Marco Schools

The best part of having “a history on Marco Island” is my knowledge and appreciation of the continued excellence of the teachers, students, administrators, and parental support on Marco Island and at Lely High School with whatever classes, sports, activities or artistic endeavors students choose to pursue. It’s not that every child is proficient at everything they try, that’s not the point. It’s that they have the encouragement and opportunity to participate in different directions and if they realize that’s not the path for them, they have plenty of additional challenging waters to dip their toes in.

I visited our local schools including Tommie Barfield Elementary, Marco Island Charter Middle School, and Marco Island Academy, when allowed to resume visits, and it was exhilarating to say the least. Witnessing happy students, engaging teaching and positive leadership is like nourishment for the soul.

Due to the prolonged COVID delay, when I visited Marco Island Academy (MIA), it was my first visit since the building had been completed and students had returned to classes, although I visited twice when it was staged temporarily. It’s a beautiful design, security features are state of the art and students and staff are so proud, as well they should be.

Because some of my former students from Tommie Barfield Elementary, now in high school, were performing Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid,” on the MIA Rhine Stage, I just had to attend the performance. The entire cast was so talented and the energy was contagious. Judging by the size and enthusiasm of the audience and the laughter and applause, it was a great hit. Including Dean of Students, Kevin Ray, added a touch of humor and reality. He stated that because there were no applicants for the role of King Triton, he stepped up. And, with no formal acting experience, was a star!

This was an interesting performance. Besides the MIA high school students, there were younger students from Tommie Barfield Elementary School that had roles suitable to their ages. You can imagine that they added quite a few chuckles, oohs, aaahs and “adorability appreciation” from the audience.

Principal, Melissa Scott, was showered with compliments after the show about the stage, the props, the acting, the new Rhine Stage and of course the singing. Music directed, choreographed, and designed by Mr. Christopher Dayett brings a level of professionalism to the drama department at MIA with his 15 years of experience, awards and musical credits.

It was such a breath of fresh air being with teachers and students and witnessing all the great academic and artistic successes that abound, despite Covid. Thanks to the Principals at each Marco Island school, we traversed each campus with the purpose to observe the great accomplishments by students, teachers, staff, and parents.

There were so many outstanding classes, projects, displays and examples of creativity at each school.

At Tommie Barfield Elementary School (TBE), Principal Allyssa Ledbetter, Assistant Principal, Dana Franklin-Riashi and Literacy Coach, Molly Skudnig explained the progress that students are making with goal-setting strategies as a result of their implementation of the “Leader in Me,” a Stephen Covey program for use in schools. I was so impressed by the goal-setting charts by individual students, the class goals and their recorded results. However, “Setting” the goals isn’t the end of the process; each student has learned to articulate what strategies they need to improve and begin the steps to accomplish their goals.

They are very candid about their progress. When I asked, “How can you improve?” students admit, “I have to spend more time on my reading,” or “I have to practice my math facts more,” or “I’m not working as hard as I should and I need to change that…because I’m not making the progress I want.” “How do you know that?” I asked. They pointed at the goal sheets, which reflected the progress of all the students in their class. Ahh, I get it.

I kept wishing that I had that kind of goal-setting instruction beginning in elementary school. My parents were very loving, but “in the dark” about how to help us with our educational progress. Their most in-depth inquiry about school was, “Did you get your homework done?”

I am amazed at the goal-setting charts outside classrooms, in hallways, and in cafeterias, how they are visited by students and how conversations are forthcoming. It’s fun to listen to them encouraging each other and sharing strategies that work for them. This is the mutual cooperation and support that promotes progress and success, without the competition. There are some key words and definitions that are learned and adapted as part of the Stephen Covey, “Leader in Me,” program including: “Begin with the End in Mind,” “Think Win-Win,” and many more slogans, which resonate with students and staff.

As we walked the hallways of Marco Island Charter Middle School, Principal Michelle Wheeler proudly showcased artwork in various mediums while we heard the sounds of band students practicing. A visit to an exhilarating Spanish class allowed me to refresh my Spanish (un poquito) and several other classes had students and teachers engaged in quality learning. Teachers and students demonstrated mutual respect, as did Mrs. Wheeler, during our tour of the school. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I’ll return again to witness the creativity and excellence.

Our area schools are meeting and enhancing the needs of our students and I am so proud of the dedication and expertise that our teachers, staff and students are demonstrating. Respect and kudos to all. While Covid plagued us, there were still many challenges, but the strength and perseverance of our educators and parents have raised the bar.

Jory Westberry is an active educator and advocate for quality education. She presently serves on the Marco Island Historical Society Museum Board and the Collier County School Board.