You understand the reading lesson. It's more fun,'' she said through an interpreter. Extra work required But independence also means extra work. Running a school requires expertise that the education-minded people who start charter schools often lack. Two teachers handle nearly every aspect of operating the Frederick Douglass Math and Science Academy in Minneapolis.
Emotions run high in the kindergarten and first-grade room.
Teacher Christine Deal kneels to comfort two arguing girls, hugging one and softly speaking to the other. The teachers must also run the school's board, buy supplies, answer the phone and maintain partnerships with community groups. Still, teacher assistant Alicia Kennedy has worked with seven teachers in the three years she's been there. Even more-established charter schools have a hard time figuring out how to do everything a school district does. The Metro Deaf School's board of directors fit around a circular table in the school's library for the February meeting.