Sierra Crest starts semester with four new teachers

With four new teachers, its presence on the federal watch list and a major review coming this year, Douglas County's only charter school has its work cut out for it.

But Sierra Crest Academy Principal David Brackett is confident the school's teachers will make a difference this year.

"We have the tools and assets to move kids forward," he said. "People like teaching here. If they didn't, they wouldn't be here."

With 63 students, it doesn't take the school's math instructor, Steven Klekar, to determine there are a fraction more than 12 students per teacher, a level that would be considered low under state-mandated classroom size reduction for much younger students.

"It's unreal how low the student teacher ratio is," Brackett said.

School starts later than other secondary school students, who are in class by 8 a.m. But the acaedmy's school day lasts until 3:30 p.m.

"Research shows that if you give them more time to sleep, you see higher achievement levels," Brackett said. "These students are not going to bed early."

Often students have parents working 9-5 jobs with vacations that don't coincide with traditional dates when school's out. Rather than have parents take their children out of class, Brackett said they encourage them to use the teacher collaboration days, so that students don't miss instruction.

"We have a more flexible schedule, because we want them to be here," Brackett said.

The school year is 167 days with an extended vacation period for Thanksgiving.

The school operates on a modified block schedule with core academics taught on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and language arts, electives and physical education on Tuesday and Thursday.

"During the first week of school we focus on citizenship," Brackett said. "We work to develop kids as members of society. We teach them how to behave and how to interact."

Students are also able to attend Western Nevada College courses.

Brackett said the ability to use college courses that translate as electives at the charter schools is an economical use for both.

"I can get a kid into a French class at the college for a lot less than it would cost to pay a French teacher," he said.

There were about 30 seats available at the school last week. The charter caps the school at 80, but Brackett said the building can handle 96, which he said is the magic number.

"With 96 students I could hire two teaching aides, and then you could watch this place shine," he said.

But the school is facing some challenges this year, including the charter renewal process.

Brackett said that Douglas County provides a great deal of support to the school in professional development.

The school's presence on the watch list for annual yearly progress was due to attendance issues, not academic. Brackett said the school is targeting those issues this year.

"We follow all federal and state guidelines," he said. "We also follow some of the district's parameters, but our charter does offer some flexibility and freedom."

However, the school also offers some of the same benefits as the county's traditional schools.

"We offer the same security as a brick and mortar school," he said. "You can't foster a relationship with a computer. But, if someone needs to recover credits, we have the same software as the ASPIRE program."

The school has a 12-1 student teacher ratio with five full-time teachers.

Anyone who would like to enroll their student can do so by calling the school at 783-9002 or visit the school's Web site at www.sierracrest.org.

The school is a tuition free public school serving grades seven through 12. The school had its first graduating class in 2008.

• Returning full-time math and physical education instructor Steve Klekar has been in education for 13 years. Before teaching he was an electrical engineer and engineering manager in the aerospace, automotive and semiconductor industries for 18 years. Klekar teaches renaissance physical education.

• High school science instructor and Dean of Students Ian Baines has a bachelor's degree in geological sciences and recently completed his masters in secondary science at North Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

• High school English and social studies teacher Mark Harris has a bachelor's degree in American studies at Yale University and a master's in teaching from Boston University. He moved to Nevada from Wisconsin.

• Middle school social studies and computers instructor Deron Knarr grew up in Ohio and was director of the Dayton Heat Wrestling Club and served on the coaching staff of the USA Nevada National Wrestling Team coaching staff in 2005. He has a bachelor's degree in secondary education, social studies from the University of Nevada, Reno.

• Middle school English and social studies teacher Anne McLaughlin is a Washoe County resident who has taught all subjects at the elementary level.

• Special educator Kathy Storke Peltier is a Carson Valley native, who taught for the Washoe County School District for 31 years before retiring in 2003. She has worked for Sierra Crest Academy since it opened. She holds bachelor's, master's and educational specialist degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno.

• Paraprofessional ninth-grade advisor Alisa Kuniya has a master's degree in fine arts at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. She lived in rural Japan teaching English for three years. She moved to the Carson Valley and went to work five years ago.

• School counselors Mary Wolery and Lance Crowley are returning for the year. They have worked with adolescents for more than 20 years, Wolery as a school counselor, and Crowley as a juvenile probation officer.

• Office administrator Shannon Stodieck is a native Nevadan and a member of the pioneer Carson Valley family. She has worked in the medical equipment industry and for Bently and General Electric. She has an associate's degree in office administration from Western Nevada College.

• School secretary Donna J. Unsinn moved to Gardnerville in 2007 with her fiance and daughter. She went to work for Sierra Crest Academy in April 2008.