Saskatoon educator Sheila Erickson is working to close the education gap in the city by opening Road Literacy Academy for their first official government-recognized school year.
After working in education for over 15 years, Erickson realized the need for a school that relies solely on learning disabilities as dyslexia and hyperactive disorder and attention deficit (ADHD).
He decided to take his passion for teaching into his own hands and in his own home.
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“We started seven years ago in my basement with a little boy and by the end of that year we needed another teacher and it just kept growing and growing,” Erickson said.
With rapid growth, the school had to move to a larger space and meet government standards by doing a total renovation.
After all the payments, the renovation ended up costing around $ 50,000.
Roadways is not government funded because it is not considered a charity.
They operate primarily through tuition and generous donations.
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Teachers still follow the Saskatchewan Curriculum, which means they still have regular classes like literacy, social studies, and math, only with more practical and focused lessons.
The goal of the academy is to enable students to learn in a way that works for them in a space where they feel comfortable.
Assistant Principal Benjamin Johnson mentioned, “There is a great need in the community for something like our school here that helps struggling students.”
Currently, the school houses students from third to ninth grade while they take online courses for many other people, including a student in China.
Global News stopped by Conall’s Café during our visit, which is an entrepreneurial project with which students are tasked with showing them responsibility and entrepreneurship.
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“I mean, it’s school. But yeah, I’m pretty excited. I mean, it is much better than going to normal schools. They really help me learn different strategies, so it’s really fun, ”said seventh grade student Conall.
Roads must remain open and demonstrate that they are sustainable for two years in order to be considered for government funding.
Anyone who wants to donate or sign up can do so at https://www.roadwaysliteracy.com/.
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Reference-globalnews.ca