Smithland Elementary School

A lot of amazing teachers and faculty, they care so much. BUT the special education classes are just below mediocre in that they are not actually teaching the kids to their disabilities, just pulling them along with busy-work or activities. Lower grades are absolutely amazing, around the middle of 3rd grade the academic support just sort of falls off and it's just SOL's and teachers going too fast.

My son has autism. He did well at Elon Rhodes, Stone Spring, and Bluestone. Unfortunately, when the school district transferred him to Kiester over our objections, things did not go well. The crisis team was good, but the two teachers of his grade had no interest in preventing crisis from occurring. My son's performance went from remarkable to disappointing. His interest in school disappeared. Despite several meetings with the teachers and the full team, the teachers repeatedly exacerbated what should have been brief expressions of autistic frustration. Then they began suspending him for his behavior--three times in two weeks.We couldn't make any headway with the teachers, and the school district refused to move my son to another school. We decided that home schooling, despite the challenges for my son and for us, was a better choice. I would never send him back to Kiester. The teachers didn't listen and the administration, which seemed to listen, still failed to take action.

The school has been amazing to work with. We've been through learning disabilities, speech therapy, dealing with bullying, and dealing with mental health issues, and through it all the school has been amazingly supportive and willing to work with us to find a lasting solution. The diversity is amazing, and test scores can't effectively measure the learning my children are doing in terms of what it means to be a citizen in a diverse world. I can't imagine sending my kids to any other elementary school, period.

The racism in this school is unbelievable. The staff only cares about the test scores that a child can provide them. They care nothing about the safety and inclusion of their students.

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Teaching at Cornerstone does not feel like a job. It is a ministry, and I love it! Cornerstone is unique in the fact that a child’s heart and their relationship with God are of highest priority. Students are prayed over, shepherded, and guided more than just told to straighten up and follow the rules. I love the grace of God in the process. Because our focus is on each student’s relationship with God more than their grades it affects the atmosphere of the whole school. My favorite part of teaching at Cornerstone is the family atmosphere. Teachers, staff, parents, and students care about one another. This fosters a relaxed atmosphere of care rather than stress and competition. And learning takes place as well! The school is certified by ACSI.I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in grade school, and have always enjoyed working with young children. Watching the “lightbulb” moments and seeing their progress in all areas brings me great joy. The most important lesson that I want my students to take with them from their time with me is that everyone makes mistakes and that’s OK. We learn through making mistakes whether that’s in learning to write cursive or read or in our relationships with one another. We need to admit our mistakes, ask for forgiveness, give forgiveness, and move on. I make a point to point out my own mistakes as well!