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Tolbert Academy Setting a Good Example
By Denise E. Gordon, Managing Editor
Reprinted Courtesy of The Kansas City Globe |
Many of you have heard the saying, “Give credit where credit
is due.” Kansas City should be singing the praises of the
administrators of the Lee A. Tolbert Academy, a public
charter school located at 34th and Paseo in
Kansas City, Mo. Since its inception, the school’s
principal, Dr. Vivian A. Roper has demanded the highest
standards from her staff as well as her students, many of
whom are African-American, although the school’s population
continues to grow in its ethnic diversity.
I remember
interviewing Roper when she first moved back to Kansas City
to help open the new Tolbert Academy. During that interview
with Roper, I felt her passion for educating young minds.
She expressed her belief that every child can excel—often
beyond his/her own as well as others’ expectations. And
with that belief, Roper has yet to disappoint.
Recently,
while driving through the parking lot of a restaurant in an
upscale predominately white suburban neighborhood, I noticed
a group of well-groomed, well-behaved African-American young
teens leaving one of the restaurants (I’m not talking fast
food either!) I stopped to allow the long line of orderly
students many of whom were males, to pass in front of my car
on their way to board a bright orange school bus that
proudly displayed the name, “Lee A. Tolbert Academy.” The
students were probably coming from or going on a field
trip. Being an African-American myself, and a product of
public school education, I was proud of what I saw, though
not surprised.
Tolbert Academy continues to earn plaudits
among its peers in the charter school sector and in other
public education circles. Those good marks are apparently
paying off. Recently, it was reported that the Lee A.
Tolbert Academy was given a 10 year renewal of its charter
by its sponsor.
Such vote of confidence will add another
boost to the school spirit and reaffirm its instructional
leaders’ beliefs that they can effectively teach urban school
children in a public charter school setting and equip their
students to compete at a level on par if not above that of
the more privileged sector of society that often forks up
thousands of dollars each year to send its children to
private suburban schools.
Congratulations to Lee
A. Tolbert Academy founder and director, Bishop Mark
Tolbert, principal Roper, the staff and teachers and of
course, the students.
Now c’mon, Kansas City, let’s give
credit where credit is due.
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