Nurturing Minds and Communities at Concordia Charter School

Concordia Charter School shines as a beacon of innovation and inspirational learning. Recently, Concordia partnered with MindPlay to preview differentiated learning at its best in the launch of their new MindPlay Reading Studio. This partnership supports the charter’s mission to provide families with high-quality educational opportunities in a caring, nurturing environment.

What does this commitment look like in practice? It means nurturing opportunities for educational, nutritional, and community enrichment.

Ms. B’s Reading Success

MindPlay’s Product and Engineering teams visited Ms. B’s Library and her intervention classes that showcase how learning can be fun. Ms. B not only provides library time for students in grades K-6, but also leads the “What I Need” (WIN) rotation. After 8 years, her dedication to reading success is evident, driven by the inspiring leadership of Concordia’s administrative staff. Concordia faculty and staff are deeply committed to their students and their community.

Mission-Focused Innovation with MindPlay

Margaret Roush-Meier, the charter’s director, emphasizes that any change must benefit the children to stay mission-focused. When asked why she chose to enroll in MindPlay’s early access program, she explained, “We’ve used MindPlay for years because it works. We don’t do fads. We believe in committing to a program that helps teach reading, and it must do it well. Other programs on the market have all the bells and whistles, but they don’t work as well at being effective.” Specifically, she believes that educational opportunities must show growth. When a reading program is adhered to with fidelity, students achieve because it becomes a core piece of the student’s knowledge and working memory. “We must stay mission-focused,” Roush-Meier asserts.

Real-World Application

But Concordia’s innovation extends beyond academics. MindPlay’s team met with Food and Nutrition Director Iris Tirado, who cultivates a community garden and ensures students receive a healthy, balanced diet. In 2023, Tirado completed a one-year Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship, honing her skills in “scratch-cook” food operations to support a sustainable program and to drive school food reform.

While visiting, they invited the MindPlay team to a composting demonstration to minimize food waste while continuously relaying their thoughts on effective reading programs.  Students clearly feel inspired and supported with the educational opportunities at available.

Concordia’s unique staff shines with talent, supporting their students in honing confidence and utilizing their strengths to the school as a whole. Concordia students determine their own futures by applying their classroom learning to “real-world” experiences.  The students shine with community spirit and exhibit a drive for excellence.

Future Mindset with MindPlay

Concordia Charter School continues to push the boundaries of traditional education by embracing innovation. They foster a unique educational environment where students and staff alike are encouraged to grow, learn, and succeed. Concordia’s forward-thinking approach embraces new educational opportunities like the collaboration with MindPlay. In doing so, they create a dynamic and impactful learning experience. As the school looks to the future, it remains steadfast in its mission to provide a nurturing environment. At Concordia, they want every child to thrive and reach their full potential. With MindPlay Reading Studio, Concordia is supported with an adaptive and differentiated learning environment that allows for individualized and personalized learning.

 

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