Walking into the classroom of Mike Myers-Schleif, social studies teacher at McKinley-ALC, you’re greeted with a bright welcoming smile. His classroom is decorated with historical figures such as Nelson Mandela. However, two walls are decorated with photos of students. One wall consists of students that have graduated and have kept in touch with him throughout the years and one wall of MAAP STARS (Minnesota Association of Alternative Program Success, Teamwork, Achievement, Recognition and Self-Esteem). The student division of MAAP.
Myers-Schleif is very proud of his MAAP STARS wall. He has a framed photo of students from every year.
“It’s great that kids can walk up to this wall and see themselves represented,” says Myers-Schleif. “They see students that have done this before. Sometimes they even see other kids they know and exclaim, ‘Hey, I know so-and-so.'”
The option for students to attend McKinley, Myers-Schleif believes is a great opportunity. He believes that it is a way for them to find success and graduate from high school, which is why he is passionate about fighting negative stereotypes.
According to MDE (Minnesota Department of Education), in 2015 there were nearly 55,000 students enrolled in alternative programs across the state’s 239 locations that provide alternative programming.
“One size fits all is not the concept here,” explains Myers-Schleif.
He believes that alternative learning is a way for students to find success and graduate from high school, which is why he is passionate about fighting negative stereotypes.
While Myers-Schleif was a student attending St. Cloud State University, he was given the option to choose Apollo, Tech and McKinley to do his field experience before student teaching.
“It took me no more than five seconds to not choose McKinley. I, myself, had those negative stereotypes, so I passed on that opportunity,” explains Myers-Schleif. “I interviewed at McKinley in the fall of 1997 and it took me about a week to learn this is an awesome place to teach. Classes are smaller. You get more one-on-one with the students which allows you to get to know them better. So, when we [Myers-Schleif and MAAP students] go to the Veterans Affairs Health Care System, I want the community to know how awesome these kids are.”
Last week a former student of Myers-Schleif, who graduated about five years ago, reached out to him. She knows Myers-Schleif’s students go to the VA every year for Valentine’s Day. The students typically make cookies and decorate the room for the veterans. She is currently an outreach person for her current employer and wanted to offer services to help support the program and its partnership with the VA. However, she personally wants to attend to help decorate because she enjoyed it so much as a student.
The majority of the visits to the VA correspond with holidays. Students decorate the cafeteria in building four. Others do crafts and some do adult care. And, there is always bingo!
“Because we build such close relationships with kids in school, so many of our students want to stay in touch with us and come back and continue working with the service project,” shares Myers-Schleif.
Some vets don’t get to visit with teenagers and vice versa very often, which is why the veteran connection project is so successful. The project is in its third year.
Students set interviews with vets in a series of three different interviews throughout the year. The first interview, students asks about their vet’s childhood. The second interview seeks information about the vet’s educational experience and background. Lastly, the vets are interviewed about their military experience. The veterans are very willing to share their wisdom with the students.
“It’s about relationships,” explains Myers-Schleif. “We like to start with the same group of students throughout the year with the vets.”
Building on relationships and the success of his students doesn’t go unnoticed. Myers-Schleif is MAAP’s 2017 Staff Member of the Year.
Nominated by his mentor Kathy Lyerly, a retired McKinley teacher, who in retirement still volunteers with the VA service learning project, wanted Myers-Schleif to be recognized for his 19 years of dedicated work to alternative learning.
“When I started teaching here, I worked with Kathy closely. It is so important for veteran teachers to take the time to mentor young teachers,” explains Myers-Schleif. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. In doing so, I try to help out the younger staff coming here.”
“I’m very honored and humbled. There are hundreds of thousands of teachers out there that are deserving. I’m just honored to be recognized as one of them,” says Myers-Schleif.
Congrats Mike!