Tayla Reynolds

June 24, 2014

EDUC 350
Setting and Context: TVSD
For my EDUC 350 class, I was lucky enough to end up within the Thompson School
District and placed at Ferguson High School. I have come to learn many new things about this
district so already and continue to learn something new every day. As an educator, it is important
to know about the district and particular school in which you are applying. It is also important
keep in mind our own standards and qualities we look for when choosing a particular job or
career.
Empower to learn, challenge to achieve, and inspire to excel are the three simple
phrases are the words that the Thompson School District follow and live by. Within my research,
I come to find many interesting and intriguing facts about Thompson School District that are
considerably important when applying to teach. This school district is the sixteenth largest school
district in the state of Colorado and is spread out at about 362 miles. It has pre-kindergarten
through 12
th
grade consisting of thirteen early childhood development center, twenty elementary
schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and two charter schools throughout the cities of
Loveland, Berthoud and southern Fort Collins including Larimer, Weld and Boulder counties.
The courses offered in Thompson District include art, drama and theatre arts, health, language
arts, math, music, physical education, science, social studies, foreign language and eventually
career and technical education which is important in regards of all educators no matter what
subject. The district schools also offer a number of educational options such as International
Baccalaureate and pre-IB programs, core knowledge programs, and advanced placement which I
think is great for a variety of learners.
While breaking down the districts demographics, research showed that district
enrollment was 16,226 students for the 2013-2014 school year. The student body is 75.3 percent
white, 19.6 percent Hispanic, 1.2 percent Asian, 0.9 percent Black or African American, 0.6
percent American Indian, 2.2 percent two or more races and 0.2 percent native Hawaiian or other
Pacific Islander. What I found really unique is that noted on their district website, they have a
nondiscrimination policy, which I think is very important as an educator because it is something
that I do not personally tolerate. Additionally, what I found to be very unique about this
particular school district is their help Thompson Education which is a nonprofit organization to
help assist and enhance educational opportunities within the district. The board of this foundation
consists of community members and district representatives in which volunteer time to help
manage projects, initiatives and funds under the Thompson Education Foundation. That is a very
important piece to know while accepting a job because educators are receiving additional
assistance with students when and if the need arises, and help me as a teacher able to do my job
more efficiently. Particularly as an agricultural education major, my biggest concern is whether
or not the career and technical education is designed as an agricultural program or something
such as industrial arts or welding. Otherwise, I think this would be a great district to be a part of
not only because the district accommodates their students and teachers, but the community is
greatly involved and the district is reasonably successful in all areas.
To narrow things down that much more, it is important to look into and study up on the
school within the district in which you are applying to, which in this case is Ferguson High
School. Ferguson High School is located within the city of Loveland in Larimer County. The
mission statement of Ferguson is Fostering a diverse learning community, Honoring personal
potential, Supporting and practicing responsible citizenship. What makes Ferguson so unique is
that it is a smaller learning community with small classes and is an alternative school for students
who do dont find a traditional school successful. Students that are sophomore and older are
accepted into Ferguson in which has high rick populations and help students meet their
individual needs with six week hexter and fifty minute classes. The classroom is structured to be
smaller with one-on-one learning. Ferguson has a hand full of special offerings such as housing
the Phoenix Center, SOARS, a Keystone/Capstone class and several other learning opportunities.
This school also offers a teen parent program and is a place where the students have more control
over their success with a flexible learning environment. There are also career fairs, health fairs,
music, art, foreign language, video and field trips offered to the students as well. It I important to
Ferguson that the school has a close family environment thats individualized, personalized, and
supported by the staff with a strong PTO program as well. As a future educator, I think that if
someone was looking for a great teaching opportunity that is not a traditional school, Ferguson is
a great opportunity and a school that could greatly influence a new teacher.
Finally, the last observation needed when applying for a job is learning about the
individual classroom. I have been fortunate to learn the demographics about the classrooms from
personal experience. I have observed that the classrooms are very small with number ranging
from seven to fifteen. The classes have a variety of gender and ethnicity that have students that
are willing to learn. The climates of these classrooms are reasonable positive. The students have
a desire to learn yet without feeling overwhelmed and pressured and what Ive seen, appreciative
that they are able to get the extra accommodations that they need. The culture of this classroom
is quite unique because it isnt a traditional high school; there are high expectations, but they are
still reasonably different. The focus on the particular class that I have been helping with these
last few weeks has been horticultural based. This class structure allowed the students to be
outside and interactive, yet working within the classroom on computers and figuring scale
drawings. From experience and having discussions with some of the students, they really enjoy
being able to do hands on activities out of the classroom, which is one of the main goals there are
Ferguson.
All in all, after researching and being within the district and Ferguson its self, I think its
a very beneficial and well-structured program. Personally being an agricultural education major,
it would be harder job for me to find something as fitting as far as classroom placement. For any
other majors, I believe that it could be a very ideal and successful job.