Porter Academy

What Our Kids Say About Porter Academy

Story of a Person whom I consider a Hero

By Kathryn Bennet (a graduate of Claudia Porter)

    This is a story of a lady who worked at a school.  She taught a small class at this school that was aimed at kids who needed an extra hand at school.  She taught this class for a number of years before embarking on a new adventure of starting her own school.  She had a lot of courage to leave the environment she had known for so long and go out on this new journey, because she felt she could better teach the children if she was in charge of the whole learning experience.

    This special lady has touched so many lives; those of her family and friends and especially those whom she has taught.  She has helped them to learn about themselves, about their strengths and the areas that they need to improve in.  She lets them know that they are all special people and should not be ashamed at who they are.

    She not only is their teacher, but once they have grown out of the class/school, she is there for them to give them advice or is just there for them as a friend; a person to look up to.  This lady has been a great inspiration to me.  She has been there for me ever since I grew out of her class in June 1994.  She has been there silently watching over me growing and learning.

    When I heard the news that she had started her own school, it really hit home with me that she had gotten up the courage to achieve a goal that obviously meant a lot to her.  This has really shown me that anything is possible, and now I am really able to believe this because the person that I look up to and consider my hero has achieved her goal and I now know with all of my heart that I can too.

Student Interview with David

David, this is your second year at the Porter School.  When you first came here, how did you feel about reading?  I felt left out in my other school.  I felt like everyone was smarter than I was.  They put all the kids who they thought were not very smart in a room with another teacher.

What were you reading in the Porter School?  I was starting on kindergarten level books.  I was beginning to learn phonics.  I didn't feel like I could read at all.

How did you learn phonics?  Mrs. Porter helped me to understand how I could become a better reader.  We worked on Primary Phonics and Earobics.

How much did you read at home in the last year?  I'm reading a whole lot more than last year.  I read 4,223 minutes over the summer.  I am reading Harry Potter, books about sharks, and Goosebumps.

How did this affect your tremendous progress in reading in such a short period of time?  The more I read the easier and more fun reading becomes.

How did you write a year ago?  A year ago I didn't like writing.  Now I know I have wonderful ideas and I know how to write them down.  Today I'm writing my own newspaper about the airplane crashes.

How do you feel about your work?  I was worried if I could do a good job.  When I was finished I felt proud.