for Education Research. While that training is geared for preparing
students for the Math Olympics, Erdogan said, "we actually get
their concept in many different areas, such as after school tutoring
programs, academic clubs for high-achieving students and our
curricula."
AnexampleistheAdvancedMathandScienceProgramforgiftedand
talented students, which prepares students for possible competition
in the International Mathematics Olympiad, International Olympiad
in Informatics, International Physics Olympiad, International
Biology Olympiad, Intel Science Talent Search and Utah State
Science Fair.
It is not easy to find high-caliber science teachers who fit the school's
programs, while also meeting NCLB standards for highly qualified
teachers, admits Erdogan.
"It is hard to find highly qualified math and science teachers in
the USA. For me, I hire teachers from different countries. If you're
looking for someone who is high qualified, but they don't have
teaching credentials, they have to take many steps so they can be
coined highly qualified by the state standards. We have to follow
some sort of processes; that's fine, but not accepting some candidates
as highly qualified teachers is hard for us."
6 of his 18 teachers are from foreign countries. Assuring that
candidates from non-English-speaking countries will be able to
communicate with the school's students is important. Candidates
must first prove their English proficiency to their consulates, and
they are interviewed in their home countries or by telephone by
school staff. "Although this is the case, there have been problems
with these teachers communicating with the students at first, but in
a couple of weeks, they overcome this problem easily," said Erdogan.
Recruiting successes are clear, he added, pointing to one teacher who
received a gold medal at a national science competition; another won
a national computer-Olympics competition and yet another received
an award from the president of his home country in recognition of
his teaching performance. "We really try to hire very intelligent
people from other countries to help bring success to our program,"
Erdogan added.
Parental involvement also is crucial to Beehive's success, he said.
Parents are strongly encouraged to volunteer for 30 hours per child.
"Our parents are so much involved that most of them exceed the
limits. In every part of the school, you can see our parents. They do
the cleaning. They organize field trips. They organize fundraising
events. They take care of our library. They organize our lunch
program. They serve."
In addition, teachers each year are urged to visit every student's home
to touch base with parents and students outside of the academic
environment. The home-visit program, while voluntary, aims to
promote partnership between parents and teachers, encourage
parental involvement, help parents understand the school's
educational policies, explore each student's learning style, understand
the emotional and social needs and behaviors of students, and
identify changes in students' interests and concerns.
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