Pathways Program Instills Passion for Learning within Students
In its seventh year, the Pathways Program at Murray Elementary is a free K-3 school program run by visionary founder Sharon Kovalevsky. Based on the Reggio Emelia Approach to education, Pathways’ philosophy is encapsulated by these four principles:
- Multi-age Learning Environment: Mixed age classes provide the opportunity for all children to nurture, mentor, and respect others for their unique strengths and talents.
- Parent Participation: Parents work in the classroom 1.5 hours/week per child, participate on a committee, participate in evening parent meetings, and drive or chaperone on field trips.
- Mutual Respect: “There aren’t any barriers between students or teachers based on gender, age, or anything else,” explains Kovalevsky. Everyone has something to contribute, and everyone has something to learn.
- Student Interest: Pathways students and teachers view the world as their classroom. Projects and events are student-driven. For example, when the news had stories about water on Mars, some students suggested that the class research and report on Mars. In another instance, when one student found some interesting rocks, the students were inspired to report on geological phenomena.
When students have a party at the school, they become accountable for creating the menu, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the food, and planning the games. Kovalevsky notes that this approach teaches kids how to learn and how to apply what they have learned, as they follow their passion. Other projects that students work on at Pathways include writing and publishing their own newspaper, learning Spanish, and providing community service. While students are encouraged to pursue learning about the topics that interest them the most, students are still required to meet all California and DUSD standards.
One of the misconceptions about Pathways is that the program serves only gifted children. Pathways offers a program that is enriching for students at all points of the learning spectrum. Graduates of the Pathways Program are instilled with the values of collaboration, flexibility, independent thinking, adaptability, and accountability that allow Pathways students to develop invaluable social skills and succeed throughout their academic and professional careers.
Another common misconception is that only K-3 students living in Dublin can participate in the Pathways Program. Unlike similar programs such as Focus in San Ramon and Discovery in Pleasanton, approximately 15% of Pathways’ students actually live in neighboring cities.
The future for the Pathways Program and their students is incredibly bright with the program seeking to add grades 4 and 5 for the 2010-2011 school year. If you’d like to learn more about Pathways Program, please visit their website or email Sharon Kovalevsky at KovalevskySharon@dublin.k12.ca.us.
9:44 AM on December 23rd, 2009
Both of my kids were in Pathways from K~3rd. It was a life-changing experience. The kids develop a level of confidence and flexibility that rarely happens in regular classes.
The other benefit is that parents are actively involved. I became a better parent, and a better person from my participation in Pathways.
It’s not right for all kids, but many kids thrive in this sort of alternative environment.
Feel free to contact me if you want to get details.
10:54 AM on August 11th, 2010
Do you know any student at Pathway who started in the regular Dublin school system and transferred to Pathways in second grade? If so, how did the student do? I’m trying to get a sense on how the transition would be for my son? Thank you.
3:20 PM on December 23rd, 2009
This is a great example of parents working together with a local public school and the school district to improve Dublin education. Rick Boster, Principal Murray Elementary, posted some additional details regarding the Pathways program in response to a recent OneDublin.org posting: http://onedublin.org/2009/12/14/charter-school-should-be-a-local-decision/.
9:01 PM on December 23rd, 2009
I was a student in Pathways for four year, kindergarten – 3rd grade. Now I am in 6th grade. The Pathways environment helps everyone be very close and sweet to each other. In the program you learn to be hardworking and get along well with all of the different ages of kids. It was so much fun going on all of the field trips to different places. I enjoyed being a part of the Pathways program.
12:42 PM on December 26th, 2009
I love that they used a photo of my daughter on this web site because she LOVED her time in Pathways…and is a better student because of all the responsibility and attention teachers gave to her.
4:41 PM on December 26th, 2009
Pathways and Mrs. Kovalevsky are absolutely wonderful. Thank you for writing such a positive piece on this program, John. I hope they will be able to expand into grade 4 and 5 soon.
11:52 AM on December 31st, 2009
What a great piece! I am so Happy that my son is in this program, he is doing very well and I think that the move was the best thing that we have done for him. I would be even happier if the Pathways program is expanded to include 4-5 grade!
5:44 PM on August 11th, 2010
Pathways has had many students join in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade and this year we are excited to expand to 4th & 5th grade! Reflecting on our students who come from other environments, every one of them have been successful.
Students enjoy the extra activities we do including; Spanish, gardening, field trips, art, cooking, student led science, writing for their own newspaper. Students make friends across all grades and they like their parents working in the classroom.
Academically, Pathways is very successful, consistently moving students from proficient to advanced, and from basic to proficient levels on the STAR tests each year.
We try to make students daily lives fun & appropriately challenging. Oh yeah, and they actually learn important stuff on the way!