Owensboro Innovation Academy graduated its first senior class Sunday. Sixty of the original 80 students who enrolled in the New Tech Network school completed their courses.
Jon Richard is one of the teachers who has been instrumental in teaching project-based learning (PBL) to his colleagues at OIA and within Owensboro Public Schools. PBL focuses on students immersing themselves in hands-on projects as a way to actively learn the subject matter.
Richard said he was very excited when four years ago, as a teacher at Apollo High School, he heard both districts wanted to create OIA. But he was also terrified.
“I had no college classes that trained me for this, prepared me for PBL,” Richard said. “I have gone to training and have coaches who work with me.”
The taking-chances mentality of Richard is exactly what the 60-person senior class was willing to do as well when they enrolled as freshmen at OIA.
At first, Richard said, the students wanted to challenge everything, so he and the other teachers showed them the specialized standards and how the curriculum corresponded — even though it seemed so different as project-based versus traditional.
“We get to do big things so our expectations continued to grow,” Richard said. “Students want to do better and go big — they have a ‘we’re gonna figure it out’ attitude.”
Richard said he is always impressed with the OIA students and their competitive nature, saying that half of them want to be the best, but at the same time, they want to collaborate.
“The buy-in is really high,” Richard said. “There will never be a group [like these seniors] with as much charisma.”
Because of the innovative approach to learning at OIA, Richards said these students matured very early and found confidence to say, “If I can do this, I can do anything.” The students learned soft skills, which so many in the community who visit, interact and partner with OIA communicate to the staff.
“We are lucky and we are thankful to the community for being so willing to work us,” Richard said. “We are always looking for community partners to help us grow and prosper.”
Principal Beth Benjamin said this class really is her family.
“Everyone here is a risk-taker,” Benjamin said. “I always tell them I’ve never been a principal without them. I started day one with them and they have taught me.”
The students’ voices were heard in every aspect of creating the school climate — from dress code to behavior to how to greet visitors to the school, Benjamin said.
“They helped set the framework for what to expect,” Benjamin said.
Of the 100 students per grade level accepted each year (50 from OPS and 50 from Daviess County Public Schools), Benjamin said there have been some who figured out very quickly that OIA was not what they had imagined and returned to their home school, but that is a minority.
“All three home schools are fabulous to work with and make sure we get all of the information we need,” Benjamin said. “The transportation departments for both have also been wonderful. They make sure our kids get here and to other locations. Sometimes it is like Grand Central Station.”
When Anna Marie Atkinson receives her degree from OIA, it will not be her first for this year. Or her second. She has already graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Brescia University, and this week, she received her an Honors diploma from Owensboro High School for maintaining a 4.0-grade point average.
Atkinson plans to continue at BU to earn her Master’s degree to become a palliative care and pediatric care social worker.
Four years ago, she decided to attend OIA because it was different from the norm and she was intrigued with the direction the school would be taking with the hands-on approach to learning and the idea of facilitators instead of teachers or professors.
“We have been able to set certain standards and expectations. We have been able to create the bar…and raise the bar,” Atkinson said.
The teachers at OIA believe in their students and their creativity and student input is really valued, she said.
Atkinson said that she is shocked at how big OIA has become since she began four years ago as it now occupies both floors of the Centre for Business and Research building.
“The attitude, culture, and physical environment of workspaces, including furnishings that OIA facilitators, staff, and students created are major differences between a traditional high school and OIA,” Atkinson said. “The environment is open and furniture is bright, multipurpose, and school colored. The students have a desire to learn, which is why they applied to this school. The culture of OIA as a family is caring, warm, and honest. When you walk into OIA the first thing you will notice is the artwork displayed every and anywhere, along with student projects, and presentations.”
Benjamin said it is hard to believe it has been four years, but she is glad that OIA has led to iMiddle, Owensboro Public Schools’ middle school innovation academy.
Benjamin said that nothing is ever stolen at OIA, something she prides the students with.
“You trust them. They all have to work together,” she said. “You know people for who they are. Discipline is minute. It’s not my world.”
