Falon Speaks, Secretary

Falon Speaks, Secretary
American Renaissance School Board of Directors

"My name is Falon Speaks and I joined the American Renaissance School {ARS} Board of Directors in September 2020.

I grew up in Statesville, NC and attended Statesville Senior High School. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Journalism from UNC Charlotte. I worked at an environmental engineering firm and non-profit agency before returning to UNC Charlotte to obtain my Master of Education (M.Ed.). I taught Kindergarten in Iredell-Statesville Schools before taking time off to stay at home with my first child. I became the Director at First Presbyterian Church of Statesville Preschool in 2014.

My family and I are members of First Presbyterian Church, and we live in downtown Statesville. My husband’s name is Clay, and we have two daughters, Harper (10) and Hattie (6), both who attend American Renaissance School. We also have a three-year-old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named Freddie and a one-year-old chocolate Labrador named Ozzie. I feel very honored and blessed to have been led to this role on the ARS Board of Directors."

What do you like best about ARS?

"American Renaissance School is a downtown community school that actively cultivates supportive relationships between teachers, students, and parents. These relationships are the heart and soul of our community. ARS enables students with diverse backgrounds to bring their own personal experiences, feelings, and beliefs into our classrooms. We have continued to partner with local businesses in our downtown Statesville community for many years and I love that our community partners serve to educate our students about being good citizens. Our role in the community is important to ARS and we strive to help children reach their fullest potential as citizens and students. I love that our curriculum is intrinsically interdisciplinary and project-based, and it highlights real life experiences at every grade level. I love that ARS views the arts as being innately important forms of learning and they give opportunities for expression in all children."

ARS Board of Directors:

Public charter schools are different from traditional public schools in a number of important ways. One of the main differences between public charter schools and traditional public schools is in the way governance is structured. Unlike traditional public schools, public charter schools are governed and operated by the Board of a private non-profit corporation. Board members are recruited or elected volunteers that are responsible for governance, budgeting, fiscal oversight, curriculum, operating procedures and strategic planning at the school, among other responsibilities. The Board holds the school's charter, receives grants and funding, and is responsible for sound administration and oversight. The Board works closely with the Executive Director and has a direct impact on the ultimate success of the school.

Learn more about the ARS Board of Directors here.

About ARS:

American Renaissance School is a K-8 public charter school in Historic Downtown Statesville, NC.

Our mission is to ensure a standard of academic excellence by providing a nurturing environment that allows each child to reach their fullest potential as students and citizens.

Our vision is to be the best choice for education in North Carolina. Our board, administration, staff, and teachers, with parental and community input, have identified our core beliefs and core values, which in turn are reflected in our strategic priority areas. These guide our daily operations at all levels.

Learn more about ARS here.

Originally posted by American Renaissance School via Locable