Last week I traveled to Duplin County to visit James B. Kenan School of Engineering in Warsaw. This high school is one of ten statewide targeted to focus on science, technology, engineering and math as a way to improve academic performance.
I had a chance to meet with teachers, students, parents and administrators about the school and the changes it has undergone. Teachers told me how the interactive teaching method used in the school, where classrooms are filled with discussion and hands-on learning, has helped them reach students in ways they never thought possible. Students told me how they had lost interest in academics before this new approach to teaching and learning drew them back in. Parents told me about the hope that they feel for their children as they learn new skills and gain confidence.
As a member of the State Board of Education and a longtime advocate for public schools, this was an exciting visit for me. It showed me what is possible when we look for innovative ways to reach students. It also showed me that these pilot schools are doing a great job of preparing students to compete in the global economy, by arming them with skills that will translate into jobs.
Continuing to strengthen our public schools is both a passion and a priority of mine. I look forward to seeing more success like I saw at James Kenan.
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