A former public school teacher finds fulfillment in her Ohio microschool
Jan 17, 2025
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Melanie Leone, a former public school teacher with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, now runs the Anchor Center for Learning, a microschool in Ohio. She shares her journey from public education to founding a school that embraces student autonomy and personalized learning. Melanie discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, her experiences with educational transformations, and how community engagement has been vital for her school's growth. She highlights the importance of adaptability in education and reflects on her fulfillment as a founder.
Melanie Leone's transition from public education to founding a microschool reflects her commitment to personalized, student-centered learning that fosters autonomy and creativity.
The success of Anchor Center for Learning underscores the significance of community involvement and adaptability in creating effective educational environments for diverse learners.
Deep dives
Melanie Leone's Journey in Education
Melanie Leone's educational journey spans various roles and experiences, beginning as a public school teacher and later serving as a child care center director. Her initial years exposed her to the disparities in the education system across different states, revealing significant inequalities in resources and teaching quality. Transitioning through positions, she often questioned the rigid structures of public schooling, which she felt reduced students to mere data points rather than recognizing them as unique individuals. This path ultimately led her to embrace an educational philosophy that values student autonomy and personalized learning, culminating in the establishment of her own micro school, Anchor Center for Learning.
The Impact of Reggio Emilia Philosophy
Leone's educational philosophy is heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes the importance of listening to children's interests and fostering their innate curiosity. She advocates for experiential learning and project-based activities, where children are encouraged to explore topics deeply and express their learning creatively. This philosophy contrasts sharply with traditional schooling, where rigid curricula often stifle creativity and individual expression. Leone's experience implementing Reggio Emilia principles in her previous roles ignited her desire to create an educational environment that is not only child-led but also adaptable to the needs of various learners.
The Birth of Anchor Center for Learning
Founded in September 2023, Anchor Center for Learning offers a three-day multi-age micro school model designed to prioritize student autonomy and engagement. Beginning with twelve students, the program quickly expanded to thirty-two, attracting families seeking personalized education solutions. The success of the program is rooted in its focus on individualized learning and collaboration, particularly beneficial for children who may struggle in traditional settings. Leone emphasizes the importance of community and parental involvement, noting that successful learning environments are built through partnerships between educators and families.
Vision for the Future of Education
Leone envisions a transformative shift in education toward more personalized and flexible learning models like micro schools. This movement seeks to dismantle the one-size-fits-all approach that characterizes conventional education, providing diverse options tailored to the varied needs of students. By emphasizing creativity, autonomy, and community, she believes that personalized education can significantly enhance student engagement and achievement. As the landscape of education evolves, Leone and others in the micro school movement expect to see greater collaboration and innovation, enabling parents to choose educational paths that best suit their children's unique talents and interests.
Melanie Leone is a former public school teacher with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Over the course of her career, she’s worked in multiple states and spent five years as a childcare center director which changed her philosophy of education. In fall 2023, she founded Anchor Center for Learning in Stow, Ohio as a three-day-a-week, multi-age microschool that emphasizes student autonomy, academic personalization, and a sense of wonder.
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