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MEET LARCHMONT CHARTER'S NEW PRINCIPAL
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Laura Eversz
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IT’S A RENAISSANCE time in education, said Larchmont Charter School principal Dolores Patton.
Larchmont Charter School’s new principal, Dolores Patton, has an impressive resumé. She holds three degrees from California State University: a master’s in both educational leadership and policy studies, and social and philosophical foundations of education; and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
Patton, who resides on Norton Ave. with her husband, William, a law professor at Whittier Law School, is the mother of two grown children. Bryan recently graduated from NYU; daughter Alison is a doctor.
Patton has been a teacher at the Open Magnet Charter School, L.A.’s first charter school and a California Distinguished School. In addition, she has worked with the Cotsen Foundation, an organization that coaches teachers into mentors, and as a faculty advisor for Teach for America. And, since its beginnings in 2005, she’s been on the board of Larchmont Charter School, after being recruited by founding parent Lindsay Sturman.
But when she talks about her new position at the school, her focus is on the talent that is already there, instead of what she brings.
“There’s a lot of talent at the school that is waiting to be supported and optimized,” said Patton. “The most exciting part for me is that I feel it’s a renaissance time in education. And charter schools are at the forefront of the education reform movement."
People are ready to look at how kids learn best and how programming can make learning exciting for students, parents and teachers, and develop a sense of community around their design, she adds.
Larchmont Charter, which opened in 2005 with 120 students in kindergarten, first and second grades, has grown to include 454 students through sixth grade and 22 teachers, who are housed on two campuses.
“It’s a very ‘it takes a village’ school,” says Patton. “Everyone contributes and people just love to be here. Teacher turnover is unbelievably low… there’s a real loyalty.” She’s particularly proud of the integration of arts into the school’s curriculum.
“Art, music and physical education, which are pivotal parts of the academic program, give kids another means of expression.”
Patton points proudly to the Larchmont Charter’s edible schoolyard. Children keep a garden journal and grow their own vegetables from seeds they plant. There are raised beds for every classroom, and a variety of gardens including native, five senses and butterfly. “It gives children a recognition for the fact that their food is connected to something, and beautifully prepared food shared with others is meaningful.”
The kids build the garden, are involved in cooking, and can look at what eating seasonal, healthy foods has to do with their own health, she added. “It’s a meaningful component of the academic day.”
Patton says she’s really excited about the opportunity to lead the school. “I’ll be able to draw on many of the things I’ve done over the years.”
Goals include establishing a middle school—hopefully next year, said Patton. “It’s in the development stages right now.” For now, she says she has plenty to keep her busy.
“One of the experiences I’ve had is that if I get stressed out about something, I just ask a parent for help. There is an incredibly strong parent body that gives so much as volunteers, donate materials and work incredibly hard making things great at the school. “It’s pretty wonderful,” she adds. “It’s also really nice to leave home and be at work in five minutes.”
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