Grizzlies Academy: Striving to Make a Difference Through Education
The first thing you notice is not what's there, but what's missing. There is no playground; no monkey bars, no see saws and no swing sets. There are no basketball courts. Inside, there is no library. No banners, trophies or photo cases. No front office. No morning PA announcements.
It's around this time you realize that Grizzlies Academy is not an ordinary school. But once you get over what isn't there, you see what is there: 35 students. Three full-time teachers. Two part-time teachers. And one principal responsible for turning the lives of her students around.
In its first year, Grizzlies Academy is a school for students between the ages of 15 and 17 who are at least two years behind in school. At the helm is Dr. Jane Walters. At first glance, she is not what you might expect in the principal of a school for at-risk youth. She appears to be in her sixties, with a tiny frame, no taller than most of her students. But despite her tiny stature, when she speaks, the students listen. They listen because for many of them, the school is their chance at redemption. "Some of these kids are very gifted in one way or another," says Walters, who would later add, "and I have never had more supportive parents."
Like other schools, the usual academic subjects are taught: Math, English, Social Studies. But the students don't just learn about algebra and the Civil War. They also learn life skills. For instance, table manners. Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, the students stay after school for dinner. They are reminded of basic social principles that many people take for granted, for instance that guests take their food first. Although it may seem like something that a school shouldn't have to teach, for these students, it is. The fact is most of the students haven't had much structure in their lives. "It's been a fun experience for me," says one student, Phillip. "There's always a lesson you're being taught, and a lot of rules, it's something you have to adapt to." And adapting they are. Walters says the kids have made progress since arriving at Grizzlies Academy, but she also knows they all have a long road ahead of them.
The Grizzlies started the school with a $1.5 million grant from the Grizzlies Foundation. However, the team's involvement extends well beyond that. The Grizzlies provided uniforms for all of the students, and the team also provides tickets to home games to reward students for good grades, conduct and attendance. Furthermore, Grizzlies staff members have served as speakers at the school, and the students have taken part in a mini-basketball clinic at The Pyramid. Also, the students got a sneak peek of the Grizzlies' new home with a tour of the FedExForum construction site. "Our commitment to Grizzlies Academy extends far beyond our financial support," said Grizzlies President of Business Operations Andy Dolich. "We are dedicated to the future that lies in the hearts and minds of our young people. Our players, coaches and management will be involved in the ongoing education for the students and families of Grizzlies Academy."
In moments of candor, Walters will admit there are days when she wonders why she took the job. But when she has one of those days, it's usually followed by a day that reminds her of just why she is a teaching lifer. Her favorite story is an event that took place not long after the school began.
The school's art teacher asked one of the students to draw something that meant a lot to him.
"But I can't draw," replied the student.
"Well, let's start with what you would draw if you could," replied the teacher.
"I don't know," was the student's reply.
"Well, tell me what means the most to you," said the teacher.
"I don't know, I guess my grandmother's living room, since that's where I grew up," the student said.
"OK, perfect, so draw her living room," said the teacher.
A few hours later, Walters walked into the room and the student ran up to her breathlessly excited. She asked what he was so excited about, and that's when the student showed Walters his drawing, a beautiful rendering of his grandmother's living room.
"Look Dr. Walters! Look what I did! I can't even draw, but look what he taught me to do!" he exclaimed.
Walters takes a second to compose herself after telling the story.
"It's days like that that keep me getting up in the morning," she says.
The daily schedule is much like any school. The students eat breakfast upon arriving each morning, and then go to class for two hours. They break for lunch at noon, before going back to class in the afternoon. They also go on field trips, such as a dress rehearsal for La Boheme at The Orpheum. When talking about the field trips, Walters mentions that when she took the class to the Mississippi River, it was the first time some of the students had seen the river, a staggering fact. She also teaches life lessons on the trips. When she talked about an upcoming visit to a Grizzlies practice, she said she hoped some of the players would teach her kids a tough lesson. "I have a few of the guys here who think they're going to play in the NBA," said Walters. "When we go to the practice, a couple of the players are going to stay behind to play these kids, and I'm going to make sure they whip their butts to show them just how hard it is," she laughs.
It doesn't take long after walking into the school to realize that in most ways, it is unlike almost any other school. However, the students that attend Grizzlies Academy are very fortunate to be there. Walters and the entire teaching staff take the education and development of the students very personally, because for them, it is perhaps the biggest challenge of their careers. But even more importantly, Walters and the staff genuinely want the kids to succeed. They do everything they can to teach them academics, in hopes they will develop these bright youth into the adults and citizens they have the potential to be.