Together We Rise
Every person sees the world differently and offers a unique perspective based on life experiences. When people of different abilities, backgrounds and interests come together in an environment that fosters both connection and individuality, everyone wins. It is our responsibility to foster this atmosphere of inclusion for our children, starting with early childhood education. Inclusion takes a team, and it is modeled every day at The Rise School of Austin. The school’s powerful combination of a diverse community of learners and a curriculum tailored to meet each students’ unique needs makes The Rise School a leader in providing quality early childhood education in Austin.
The Rise School is a unique preschool in East Austin where children and teachers can celebrate their individuality and offer their talents and gifts for the benefit of their classroom family. “We are all unique expressions of a common energy. Each person contributes to the whole,” states Dr. Becky Bailey, founder of Conscious Discipline. “It has become widely accepted that the standardized competitive factory model is not an effective learning model, and so we must begin undoing decades of programming and reinvent our schools. We must create a new model for building school cultures, one that accepts differences, builds unity and brings all children into the fold as caring, contributing members.” Providing an education that is both intentionally inclusive and individualized takes a dedicated team, which Rise provides through the use of a unique co-teaching model.
Co-teaching is a collaborative approach to education in which one classroom has multiple teachers that work together to meet the needs of each student in their classroom. In a co-teaching model, children benefit from the expertise, perspective and experience of not just one teacher, but a team of highly skilled professionals. A co-teaching model can also reduce the student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized instruction. Teachers are able to focus their efforts on quality instruction because they have the support of colleagues who share responsibility for the education of their students.
Rise has a unique co-teaching model that features 3 teachers in each classroom of 12 students, combined with support from physical, occupational, music and speech therapists. “It is our co-teaching model and collaboration with therapists that allows us to teach the way students learn versus falling victim to a ‘one size fits all’ mentality” says Meg Bethune, Executive Director at The Rise School.
The teaching and therapy teams work collaboratively to assess each child’s developmental, educational and behavioral progress, and tailor the curriculum to meet each child’s needs. Classroom learning centers are set up so that every student is able to participate in the same activity, while working on the skills that are appropriate to help them achieve their individual educational and developmental goals. Regardless of whether a child is gifted, traditional, or developmentally delayed, teachers are able to create a learning environment tailored to each student’s unique needs. The bar is set higher for every student. This approach allows children to see the best in both themselves and in others, which fosters a community where every child can reach their full potential.
Co-teaching also provides for the continued learning and development among the teachers. As stated by Natalie Martson of the National Education Association, “A wonderful aspect of co-teaching is that it allows you to take risks, learn from each other, and grow as professionals.” At Rise, the teaching staff have the opportunity to work together to refine their instructional delivery and approach to learning to meet a wide range of needs.
The co-teaching model and collaborative approach at Rise allows all staff to benefit from the expertise of professionals in each domain of development which provides an optimal learning experience for all children. Children come together to learn from not only their teachers, but also their peers. The unyielding celebration and encouragement of every child’s differences, strengths and individuality in order to better connect children with their peers and the world around them makes The Rise School a place where all children shine.
Contact
512-891-1682
riseschoolaustin.org
4800 Manor Rd Building J
