Ben, the new superintendent of the Fort Thomas School District, proudly pointed out enlarged photographs of his sons competing in rodeos, a picture of his mother and numerous other family photos and American Indian items as he settled behind his desk to talk about education and the school district.
A Navajo and a Morenci High School graduate, Ben has spent his entire career working in Arizona. Prior to accepting the superintendent's job at Fort Thomas he was the school district superintendent in Chinle.
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"I want to do what I can to empower Native American communities," Ben said.
He would like to see the Fort Thomas School District, of which more than 90 percent of the students are Apaches, continue the progress it began last year when it was recognized by the state for significant improvement. The most recent AIMS test results from the Arizona Department of Education, however, show many students at Fort Thomas are struggling with reading and math, although writing scores are improving at Fort Thomas High School.
To help students continue learning and improving their test scores, teachers will participate in professional development. Ben said studies show professional development coupled with parental support are important components in helping kids learn.
"We'll begin to focus on what needs to happen (to improve the schools)," Ben said, adding that the main focus will be on helping kids with reading and math.
Ben will be learning as well.
"This year is going to be fact-finding for me," he said. He already learned something surprising when he delved into testing data from Fort Thomas.
"We have no kids identified for ELL (English language learners), and 95 percent of our kids come from Bylas," Ben said.
Many of those kids speak Apache as their first language, and although many speak English when they start school, they lack sufficient English skills to do well on standardized tests.
"One of the problems that we have is vocabulary," Ben said. Another is making sure children come to school every day. He wants the atmosphere at Fort Thomas schools to be positive.
"When they (students) come here, I want them to feel safe," he said.
Ben and his wife, Nellie, who is Apache, are the parents of four adult children — a daughter, Valerie, and three sons, Leon Jr., Rawley and A.J.
Comments
8 comment(s)shawn wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:49 PM:
marley wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:11 AM:
concerned parent wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:28 PM:
http://www.jeremynegotiates.com/contact.php and how he cuts down other real estate agents in the "shame" page. Maybe complaints to AZ Dept Real Estate would help. "
Louis Womack wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:21 PM:
shawn wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:48 PM:
Steve Harrop wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:26 PM:
Steve Harrop
Winthrop, WA "
Robyn Pomonis wrote on May 7, 2008 10:31 AM:
Elissa S. Stewart wrote on Nov 28, 2007 2:38 PM: