How the Culture at ReGeneration Schools is a “Window of Opportunity” for Students
Katherine Burton, ReGen Parent and Teacher
Ms. Burton, a 7th and 8th grade Math teacher at CICS Avalon, not only educates ReGeneration Schools students but also enrolled her own child in a ReGen school.
She brings a fresh perspective to the ReGen model as both an educator and a parent. We recently sat down with Ms. Burton to discover exactly why she chose ReGen for herself and her family.
Becoming a ReGeneration Teacher
Ms. Burton started working with ReGeneration Schools at CICS Avalon in 2018 as a 7th and 8th grade Math teacher.
Before teaching middle school Math, Ms. Burton taught 11th and 12th grade, giving her a thorough understanding of the expectations for young adult students as they reach higher education. She applies this knowledge every day as she prepares her students for high school success.
Ms. Burton loves teaching the ReGen model to her students. She especially loves how the ReGeneration Math curriculum stands out among others, since it helps students process higher level materials – such as fractions, decimals, and real-world context word problems – at an early age.
Through this curriculum, Ms. Burton is preparing students, helping them develop a clear understanding of fractions, decimals and algebra, a prerequisite for many of the advanced Math and Science classes important for college acceptance.
Why Choose ReGeneration Schools?
As Ms. Burton considered a move to ReGen, she had the opportunity to observe teachers and students in the classroom to see for herself the kind of culture ReGeneration manifests. She admired the focus and camaraderie students brought to their learning.
According to Ms. Burton, when she started her work with ReGen, she realized the curriculum was brilliant, that she would be able to help students really prepare for high school Math, so they wouldn’t be intimidated once they got there.
Now that Ms. Burton is a ReGeneration teacher, she sees first-hand the difference that she makes in students through her work.
Ms. Burton believes the ReGen culture – both nurturing and structured – provides students a learning environment that effectively balances work and fun.
Because this kind of foundational education teaches students that both joy and hard work can exist in a classroom setting, she believes they are prepared for future success in more independent learning environments.
According to Ms. Burton, “It is very fulfilling and rewarding to see the work students produce due to my teaching.”
In her opinion, structure creates a successful learning environment, and ReGen uses this structure to the advantage of its students. Students are expected to discuss and explain Math concepts in addition to applying formulas to solve a problem. Through interactions in the classroom, students achieve a higher level of understanding using the ReGen model.
The Benefits of ReGen as Seen by a ReGen Teacher and Parent
Ms. Burton wanted her daughter, Journee, to experience the same benefits as her ReGen students, which Ms. Burton believes will carry her daughter successfully through her middle and high school years.
“Journee notices her own growth from being at ReGen. Her Reading level has now improved, and in Math she is constantly improving by recognizing and correcting her own work.”
Ms. Burton has several friends who have enrolled their children in a ReGeneration school. While she does not actively recruit parents, she does tell them about the structured and nurturing environment ReGen crafts and how she believes her own child has benefited from the program.
Students learn and challenge each other here. Teachers act as facilitators for the incredible learning opportunities within ReGen’s walls.
Enrolling in a ReGeneration school, according to Ms. Burton, is a “window of opportunity to not be left behind.” From her perspective as a ReGen teacher and parent, ReGeneration Schools supports students in their earliest years of education to help propel them forward toward lifelong academic and personal success.
We thank Ms. Burton for her support and dedication to our ReGen family. It is our staff that makes our work possible, and we are so glad to offer the ReGen experience to her own child as well.
