EV Alternative Program Offers Casual, Comfortable Learning Environment
If you don’t know their tales of troublemaking and truancy, it’s hard to appreciate what sweet success Shane Toy’s 17 students are enjoying this year.
“I wish you could have seen a couple of these children in class last year,” he said. “So far, three and half months into the school year, I’m happy, happy with the progress I’ve seen.”
Toy teaches East Valley School District’s alternative program for middle school students. Some of the youngsters began the year doing only third grade-level work. Others are right at grade level. But they all are working. And they have overall a 90 percent attendance rate - a staggering improvement for many of them, Toy said.
Math, science, social studies, reading, language arts and physical education - Toy teaches it all.
As he leads a visitor into the room, he pauses at the door.
“It looks a little more relaxed than a normal classroom,” he warns.
He’s right. The back wall is lined with three couches. Great spots for the kids to read.
The middle section of the room, filled with desks looks like a mini-tornado hit. Desks are anchors for books, papers and coats. Not one is occupied.
And the children?
They’re working at tables or computers on two sides of the room. The tables are conveniently close to reference books and the six computers - six! - are almost all busy.
Some students are working on an expository paper, a how-to paper. Others are working on a project that involves traveling the United States, on paper, that is.
The students are candid about why they’re in the program.
“Last year I never did my work,” said Ryan Moglia, 14. “I was in trouble, in the principal’s office every day.”
Another student Ben Smith, 13, when asked why he’s in the program, answers quite literally: “My mom bribed me.”
In a class with 32 students last year, Smith found it easier to goof off with his friends, than to get his work done.
Both boys say that in Toy’s class it’s easier to learn. They credit both the smaller class size and Toy’s style.
“He let’s us do more things,” Smith said.
“He’s a nice person. He pretty much let’s us do anything we want if it’s appropriate,” Moglia.
Toy seems to have that traditional teacher’s gift of eyes in the back of his head. He nudges students on in their individual projects, praises their work and asks for progress reports.
“I’m big-time impressed with the work you’ve done since Friday, Ryan,” Toy said, after checking Moglia’s project.
Toy said he’s convinced that their small successes now will snowball.
“They do have more one on one teacher contact time. We’re talking about 17 children. If you can get them turned around, that’s a big number.”
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