Greg Beveridge is a master teacher and he doesn’t just limit learning to the classroom. About the only thing he loves more than teaching is fishing. Last August he combined them both for Discovery Academy students.
D.A. therapists, teachers and mentors selected eight girls to spend the day fly fishing at two high mountain lakes in Utah’s spectacular Uintah Mountains. Students are selected on the basis of their progress in residential living, therapy or academics. “It’s based on how well they’re doing and how much we can trust them,” Greg explains.
Beveridge, who typically teaches math at D.A., taught students the basics of fly fishing, along with environmental science and a bit of U.S. history.
He explained to the girls how area reservoirs were built after World War II by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the role the CCC played in developing America’s infrastructure. He also helped them identify each species of fish – primarily rainbows, cutthroat and brook trout.
The girls were thrilled. “At least half of them had never fished before,” Greg recalls with a chuckle. “They get a big kick out of it. We use flies that I tie myself and we teach them how to catch and release.” With eight students to help, “There’s not much time for any fishing of my own,” he says with a laugh.
Beveridge says most of the fish average about 10-inches long but students have been known to land trout as big as 16-inches.
There are no fish to take home but each student gets her fishing license as a keepsake, along with photos Greg takes of the day’s adventures.
When it’s time to head back, Greg and the other staffers treat the girls to hamburgers and French fries at the little burger joint just off the highway.
“I like to fish and I like sharing that with the students,” he says. “It’s a really nice way to spend the day.”
“Who wants ketchup?” Luda Antjuchow calls with a laugh. Her wide smile lights her face as she recalls her early days in the United States. Ketchup was one of the first English words she mastered.
Luda’s been at Discovery Academy for the past 12 years. She immigrated to Provo from the Ukraine where she worked as a restaurant manager. Her husband, Oleg, also works at D.A. as the maintenance operations supervisor.
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Arriving in America with two daughters and no English skills, Luda says she learned the language by watching television and on the job. She says it took her about 18 months before she really began understanding snatches of conversation.
D.A. Students helped her practice. “I learned ketchup and I practiced on the students,” she says with a smile. “They would talk and talk to me and I would start remembering a word. Then I would say it back to them.”
Her affection for their years tutoring is obvious. “I love these kids,” she says. “I feel like it’s my family here.”
D.A. students echo that emotion. The bulletin board above Luda’s kitchen desk is covered with notes and letters from students, some current, some graduates, expressing their love and thanks for her.
“I cook food and I enjoy it because it’s love,” she says earnestly, “it’s like home here.” She says students away from home need to feel the comfort that comes from someone in the kitchen who cares. She often makes them special birthday treats and she keeps plenty of peanut butter on hand so growing teens can grab a sandwich in between meals if they’re hungry.
Luda says she learned to cook from her mother. Each week features different kinds of foods, everything from American favorites to Italian, Chinese and Russian. She and two other kitchen assistants prepared more than 300 meals each day. A nutritionist checks in to make sure meals are balanced.
Besides doing the cooking, Luda also enjoys making table decorations for special Discovery Academy occasions.
Although her parents and a grown daughter still live in the Ukraine, Luda says Utah is home. “I feel every time love,” she says. “I think I’m very important for the kids here.”
Joshua Campbell, Ashley Johnson and Daouda Toure are Discovery Academy’s newest staff members. But they come to their jobs with a perspective that’s unique. All are former D.A. students.
Residential Director Laura Elliker says, “They bring perspective to the program, an example of going out and becoming productive in society. It’s really good for our current students to see.”
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Josh and Daouda, both over 21 years old, work as residential mentors. Ashley works in Discovery’s academic center.
“They can relate on a level that the rest of us can’t,” Laura continues. “They’ve had those responsibilities and expectations. They’ve walked that path before.”
Daouda agrees. Originally from Guinea, West Africa, he and his sister were adopted by a U.S. Foreign Service worker. When the family moved to Washington, D.C. Toure ran into trouble.
After leaving Discovery Academy in 2000, he decided to remain in Utah. “I didn’t want to go back to D.C. and back to being a thug,” he explains. Eventually, he met and married his wife. Today he’s the father of a four year old daughter and three year old son.
“I’ve gone through some things in my life that help me look at people and say, ‘Oh, you’re not a horrible person,’” Daouda explains. “I’m very laid back. I don’t judge.”
Toure says he understands the emotional rollercoaster students often experience because he’s been through it too. “I remember certain things and I can see the growth that I’ve gone through.”
He also says he has a better understanding of how D.A. staff feel. “It’s a lot harder than they thought,” laughs Laura Elliker. “Some of the people who supervised these young people as students are now their co-workers. All of us feel a tremendous sense of pride in them.”
Daouda says, “Everyday when I go to work I’m ready for the new challenge. I might be helping the next president, the next senator, the next doctor. Especially now that I’m a father it’s a hundred times more important to me. I love it!”
Welcome to “In the Loop”, – the quarterly newsletter for Discovery Academy. We’re pleased to offer news and information to enhance your family’s DA experience. In the coming months you’ll see updates on programs, information about our staff, relationship helps and parenting tips from respected authors and speakers. We welcome your contributions as well. Please give us your feedback at editor@discoveryacademy.com
By Elizabeth Ellison, President Cornerstone Education Loans
When children need specialized educational help most parents have two major concerns. First, which program is right for their child and secondly how should they pay for it?
While I can’t tell you which program to pick, I can offer you some guidelines on how to finance your choice. Here are some points to consider:
Consider the Options
Many times families in crisis are so concerned about getting their child help that they don’t think clearly when it comes to considering their financial alternatives. This is completely understandable but can end up costing you financially.
Difficult as it sounds, try to stay calm. Don’t let your rush to find funding cause you to make an unwise decision. Parents often do a little homework and explore all their financial alternatives.
What Should a Broker Provide?
At Cornerstone, our mission is to help parents obtain affordable, personally tailored loans for their child’s needs. We gather the information, submit the documentation, and follow up daily with the lender until the loan is completely funded. We remain in touch with parents and the school so that both know exactly where we’re at in the loan process.
You should expect the same from your broker. He/she should return your calls promptly and make certain any questions you have are answered completely. I tell parents there are no dumb questions and to call me as often as they need to. After all, we’re talking about their most treasured possession – their child.
Smart Money
It’s generally wiser to finance your child’s schooling through an education loan than to clean out your retirement accounts or stocks. Those options can result in some hefty tax penalties.
Likewise, borrowing against your house is usually not your best long term option. Education loans do not require collateral and interest rates are often comparable to a home equity loan. Also, there are no pre-payment penalties for paying off your loan before its due date.
Education loans usually offer tax benefits as well. Check with your tax advisor about specific tax advantages that may apply to your situation.
Who Can Qualify?
Sometimes families make the mistake of thinking education loans are only for the very wealthy. In fact, I’ve worked with families from all different financial backgrounds.
If your credit isn’t high enough to qualify for a particular loan many times a co-borrower helps. If there are troubling items on your credit report those can sometimes be explained or even removed with the proper documentation. Generally speaking, a credit score of 645-650 will be enough to secure funding with no major derogatory marks.
I Can’t Afford a Loan
Many parents look at the amount of tuition programs require and think, “I couldn’t possibly afford it.” However, an education loan can often put the program you want well within your reach.
My job is to detail the loan and calculate the monthly payment so parents know exactly what they’re getting in to. There is no guess work. When tuition is amortized over many years it generally becomes very affordable. Also, in long term cases loan payments can often be deferred for months, making repayment more convenient.
I Applied but the Lender Said No
If you’ve already tried to find funding on your own and been turned down, don’t give up. I work closely with the top three educational lenders: Prep Gate, Key and Sallie Mae. Often times I can review your application and help you clear up trouble spots.
My experience has taught me which lenders will probably be best for which families. A personal phone call from me to the loan officer can help us to understand what, if anything, can be done to rectify the denial.
Occasionally parents have simply failed to include a key piece of information that, once supplied, can move the loan into approved status.
I look for every lending opportunity available so the child can be placed.
What Kind of Documentation is Required?
For most families, all the loan officer will need is proof of income and residency. Occasionally, lenders require proof of citizenship. In rare cases, the lender will need a statement of your assets and liabilities.
How Long Does it Take?
Cornerstone can usually secure a conditional approval in 24 business hours. Many programs will proceed with admission based on that decision. On average, a formal approval will take 5-6 business days from start to finish.
No Surprises
While shopping for funding, parents should be sure to ask their loan officer to detail all of the costs associated with their loan. Typically, the broker will charge an application fee. Less reputable companies will try to tack on bogus fees for services that should be free.
As a mother and a financial services professional, I believe every child has gifts and abilities that are uniquely theirs. My job isn’t really about arranging loans, It’s about allowing parents to concentrate on placing their child in the best possible learning environment, knowing their financial concerns are being attended to.
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Amanda Dickson, radio co-host of Utah’s #1 rated morning news show, visited Discovery Academy in November to talk with students about her work as a broadcaster and about some life lessons she’s learned over the years.
Dickson, who starts her day at 3 a.m. each weekday, told D.A. students, "I don't know what a perfect life looks like, but I do know what a happy life looks like, and it's a mess!” She added, “Stuff happens, but we can still be happy."
Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree and Jurist Doctorate degrees from the University of Utah. She joined KSL’s morning show in 1993 and left briefly in 1996 to practice law. She has five children and step children ranging in ages from toddler to teens.
Construction crews are hard at work on the new academic center at Discovery Academy. The $3-million center is being built just west of Discovery’s current facility.
The building is specifically designed for learning, featuring nine “smart rooms.” These rooms will offer students the latest computer technology with lecture and presentation applications as well.
“We’re creating a learning environment that rivals any program in the nation,” says Brent Hall, Discovery Academy’s Executive Director. “Our students will have an opportunity to learn in a classroom setting that links them to the very best education has to offer.”
The academic center is scheduled for completion in June 2008.
by Linda Kavelin-Popov
Caring parents wonder how to protect their children from the alarming trend of violence. Whenever I hear of another teen on teen murder, my heart goes out to the parents of the victim and parents of the perpetrator, perhaps with a deeper compassion for the weight of their loss, made heavier by guilt. I find myself thinking, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
These are troubled times for parents and children, with powerful influences impacting young minds. Our children live in a multi-media world promoting celebrity at any cost, images merging heroism with violence, and sexuality that is both rampant and trivialized. A British survey of a thousand 13 year-old girls shows that by a 7 to 1 ratio, lap dancer is considered a more desirable profession than teacher. Peers tape each other for You Tube beating up other students or even in the act of murder. What can we do to turn the tide, to bring out the best in our children -- the virtues of their character?
Awakening Idealism
Between ages 12 to 24, a strong emerging virtue is idealism – the need to make a difference, to be somebody. When there is a failure of hope, a loss of meaning, or misplaced value on the use of power, idealism can turn into violence. Yet, there are simple steps we can take to transform bullies into leaders and help our children develop virtues like idealism, kindness, and service.
Five Ways to Raise Kind Kids
These virtues and strategies can greatly amplify your power to awaken your children’s character.
- Show your LOVE
Your influence is directly proportionate to the quality of your relationship. Be present in your child’s life. Spend time having fun. Go hiking or watch a video together. Sit on their bed at night and ask them about their day.
- Express your CONFIDENCE
Speak the Language of Virtues: Language can discourage or inspire. Your words are weighty, so weigh your words. If you use shaming words like lazy, stupid, or mean, you reinforce that behavior. If you speak words like helpful, kind, or courageous, children develop authentic self-esteem. Find a virtue you can honestly acknowledge: “It took Courage for you to talk to your teacher.” “It was Reliable of you to bring the car back on time.” “You sure are Creative with that hairdo.” (and skip the sarcasm!)
- Model RESPECT
Recognize Teachable Moments - Get rid of shaming, blaming labels. Use virtues words when correcting behavior. “Son, you need to be Reliable about bringing the car back on time. I’m counting on you.” “Son, you know you need to be Reliable if you want to use the car. You’ll have to take the bus tomorrow.”
- Be an ASSERTIVE leader
Children need us to be fair and firm, not reacting out of helpless anger. They need a parent they can trust to Set Clear Boundaries with educative consequences. Set a few family ground rules about things like curfew or name-calling. “We are trustworthy about safety. We come home on time every time.” “We use kind names in our family. We solve problems peacefully.” If one child calls another a name after the boundary is agreed on, they restore justice by helping clean their sibling’s room or naming three virtues they see in them.
- Call on your COMPASSION
Become a world class listener. Offer Companioning by asking “What?” and “How?” questions. “Why?” puts people on the defensive. If a child rants about a teacher hating them, ask “What’s happening with your teacher?” or “What gives you the idea that your teacher hates you?” Help them discern what virtue they need to resolve things and offer to support them to work it out.
Give your best to your children. Your love and encouragement are the greatest gifts you can give. As four-year-old Billy said when asked “How do you know someone loves you?” “You know someone loves you by the way they say your name. Your name is safe in their mouth.”
Linda Kavelin Popov is author of The Family Virtues Guide and The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide, co-founder of The Virtues Project ™ , and an international speaker on personal and global transformation. www.virtuesproject.com. See www.paceofgrace.net for a list of virtues definitions.
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