To Whom It May Concern:
I currently work at Alex Sanger as a teacher, and my daughter is attending there as a kindergartener. I have been extremely pleased with the education she is receiving, and am also very pleased with the faculty and work environment. She loves her teachers, and comes home energized about learning. We have a gorgeous school garden, active art and choir clubs, and a plethora of other opportunities for growth outside of the classroom. The building is clean and neat. Learning is going on around every corner. The teachers are so excited about what this year holds.
I have not seen a focus on testing beyond what is normal in any public school. The fact of the matter is that standardized testing is here to stay. Any public school, including charter schools, will be held accountable to these tests. We will continue to struggle to ensure that all students succeed. We do not choose who walks in our classroom doors. Yes, students that have less resources and support from home will take some extra attention from their teachers. I have seen teachers buy students clothing, take them home after school, take them Trunk-or-Treating, buy their school supplies, and feed them in class when they have gone hungry. I could go on for quite a while listing all the selfless acts I have seen displayed by the faculty of Sanger. I applaud those teachers who put in the effort to reach all students, not just the middle-class children. I do not feel like my middle-class daughter is being neglected because her teachers may have to give those less fortunate a little extra love. My child gets plenty from home. It is okay if she shares resources and attention with those at school.
Any school in America, public or private, will have at least a few parents who are not satisfied. I find it sad that the Dallas Morning News thought it newsworthy that a parent decided to home school their children. Singling one school out based on the word of a few parents was disrespectful and damaging to all of the students and teachers who currently attend Alex Sanger. Public education is often times portrayed in a negative light, and articles such as this one only add to the misconceptions. At every school I have ever worked at I have seen parents withdraw students by choice, usually because of a personal grievance. This is hardly front page news.
There has been no mass exodus. In fact, enrollment is going up because people see the good that is being done at Sanger, and want to be a part of it. I have been teaching long enough that I have many different schools to compare Sanger to. This is one of the most vibrant and encouraging places I have ever worked. I enjoy coming here each day and so does my daughter. My daughter could have gone to our neighborhood school. Instead I chose to bring my daughter to Sanger. After touring Alex Sanger at the end of last year, I knew we had found our new home. I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
I encourage you to come to Sanger, talk to the parents, look around, and find out the real story.
Sarah Rose
