teacher mentor/ dealing with school

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Verbal,
As Jane has pointed out this is a busy time for school staff to talk about anything. Having a plan laid out with timelines and needs shows all involved that you have a good idea of what needs to be done and have put a lot of effort into your idea. You might try making a packet that the Principal and other teachers could look through at their leisure. Our team actually approached the school district many years ago with a plan to turn the team into a class. It was well prepared and had the input of some teachers for a class plan and showed the number of hours the average student added to the team. The school board was so impressed they granted the request and now we meet all year long and the students receive a grade for their work. If your principal needs some additional input, Wildstang is available to answer questions and I can communicate with him/her via email to get the ball rolling if you need to.

[JohnBoucher]

Our team has been run without a teacher/mentor. It is a parents group, that formed a 501(c)(3).
Find a company to sponsor, find work space, apply for the NASA grant. That should get you through the first year. Let the principal and school board know what you are doing. Make them aware that this will no at virtually no expense to them. A win-win for all.

I am surprised that a New Hampshire school would not be jumping at a chance to have a team started.

Good Luck

[Shelbo]

Trying thinking outside your box:

Our county has an education intiative group, made up of influential people in the county. They helped lay the foundation for our team. A few big businesses in the area provide grants to the team to cover regional entrance fees. Mentors are from local employers. The community college gives us a workshop and one of our mentors became an adjunct professor to fill that teacher gap; he donates his adjunct salary back to the team- He also won the Woodie Flowers at Philly this year Love You Mr. B! The only thing our school districts give us is during competition season they count our absences as a field trip as opposed to an excused absence. Basically the team is a patchwork of pieces that all come together when we need it to.

Shelbo's Mom