Thank you, Mr. Bentley, for filling in during our time of need but also for being a Christian leader to our students during a time of trial. 91Ô­´´ really is a family. Sure, we have our moments of pettiness and difficulty but we also have our moments of love and caring for one another. Our students love our teachers and our teachers love their students. Praise be to God!

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So this group of families began meeting in someone’s house with moms filling the role of teacher.  Slowly the group began learning what worked and what did not.  Strong-willed people had to learn to work together to make this happen.  They used borrowed facilities, bought supplies at auctions and crammed into spaces that were too small, all in hopes that someday there would be a school they could pass on to their community.

This group grew.  They added families much smarter and better looking than their own and steadily they have seen the school develop into what you see today.  God has blessed us with 12,000 square feet, 115 students, a soccer field, classrooms, playgrounds– and with you teachers.

This year’s teaching staff is the best collection of minds and hearts that this school has ever seen.  The board could not be more excited about each and every teacher on our staff this year! We have gotten to know each of you over the years through classroom interactions, interviews and from afar through your students.  The board wants you to know that we see you as brothers and sisters in Christ working shoulder to shoulder with us in an effort to make a lasting change in our culture.

Please know that the board and administration are here for you and we want to empower you to share your love of God, your love of learning, and your love for each student every day.

Additionally, the board wants you to continue to grow in your knowledge of what we are trying to do here at 91Ô­´´.  I’m talking about a better understanding of what it means to be classical, what it means to be Christian, and understanding how we are helping families to name a few. I know you are busy, but please participate in the bigger picture of what is going on here as well.  As I asked our parents at orientation, read the Nightstand Articles, attend the board meetings, and communicate with us.

We know that teaching at 91Ô­´´ can be a challenge, and we know that teaching at 91Ô­´´ requires a huge sacrifice from each of you.  The board wants you to know that we are doing our best to support you and keep the mission of our school as we continue to grow and learn.

I was taught that when someone gives you a gift or does something special for you that I should say thank you.  On behalf of the board…Thank you for all you do for 91Ô­´´ and on behalf of the Sowell family…Thank you for all you do for my children.  I am looking forward to an incredible year at 91Ô­´´!

The post A Message to Our 91Ô­´´ Teachers appeared first on 91Ô­´´.

It is my privilege to serve 91Ô­´´ as chairman of the board. I know I speak for the whole board when I express my sincere appreciation for MaryAnn Bentley’s service as administrator of our school.  Her presence on our school campus is proof that God has been faithful to our school in its early years.  She has been a blessing to the board as a great source of leadership, knowledge, and experience as well as being a blessing to our families as an educator, organizer, and friend.  Over the past four years, MaryAnn has helped to transition 91Ô­´´ from a somewhat informal collection of families to a thriving, growing school.

Having worked directly with MaryAnn on multiple projects and in a wide variety of school situations, I can say that she is truly a pleasure to work with.  MaryAnn always has a smile when times are tough. She often shares a story from her years in education and wisdom that can only come from a great mother.   For this rookie school board chairman, I deeply appreciate her calm approach and I’m sure this school year, and my life, has been better for it!

Her experience has proven to be invaluable to the board and her new role as fellow board member will allow for her continued involvement and input.  Additionally, MaryAnn’s new role as Placement Director will help our students find God’s direction for their lives and have even greater success in the pursuit of their goals.  MaryAnn has sacrificed greatly for 91Ô­´´ and her love of learning and the students has led to many great accomplishments.
During her tenure as 91Ô­´´ school administrator, she has endured the building of a new educational wing, formalized many school processes, grown the enrollment significantly, watched many seniors go to the colleges of their dreams, led times of devotionals and singing, disciplined students when needed, and prayed with students and families in times of trials and blessings.  MaryAnn has worn too many hats to count!  We are thankful also that Farrar will continue to serve the school as our Spanish teacher. Yes, we have been blessed to have the Bentleys at 91Ô­´´, and I look forward to many more years of serving the school together.

Mrs. Bentley’s mantle of leadership will be passed on to Mr. David Bryant, our current Academic Dean, who will become the administrator in June. The board is grateful that Mr. Bryant and his family are a part of our school.

On behalf of the 91Ô­´´ school board, and from the very bottom of my heart, thank you MaryAnn for your impact on the lives of our students, our families, our school and our community.

Sincerely,

Mark E. Sowell, DPM
91Ô­´´ Board Chairman

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