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While most of us know that bigger is not necessarily better (despite our collective love for Costco and Big Sky country), it’s also true that small is not the solution to every challenge. In the case of a school, a small community of learners offers the possibility of deep relationships, responsive teaching, increased individual attention, and academic achievement–but these experiences are not forgone conclusions. To reap the rewards of a small school environment, students must have the opportunity to work with top-notch faculty. Good news: the growing CFP team is nothing short of stellar! As certified professionals, Clark Fork Prep faculty have the expertise to engage students. Our teachers’ many years of classroom experience mean that students will learn from folks with deep knowledge of their subject matter and varied pedagogical experiences. From AP course preparation to curriculum development to differentiated instruction, CFP instructors know their stuff. The other piece of effective teaching is knowing kids. To reach the wide range of abilities, aptitudes, and attitudes of teenagers, teachers must recognize what each student needs. The best teachers know how to deliver developmentally appropriate instruction today and have a thorough understanding of students’ future requirements. Having helped shepherd hundreds of teenagers toward adulthood, CFP teachers know just how to meet kids where they are while leading them toward graduation–and beyond. It’s nice to feel seen and heard; for many, it’s reassuring to be more than a number. But for real transformation to occur, students need quality, effective, experienced teachers–individuals who have the skill to coax teenagers into productive conversation, to model analytical thinking alongside empathy, to teach the art of authentic listening. These experiences come about when excellent educators get to work in small environments. It’s not just the number of kids in a room–it’s about who is in that room with them.
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