Page 51 - Sarita Maybin

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Pathways Academy Charter School ciously so, to her being a mother first,
and a Program Lead at Pathways.
Carol is truly dedicated to the chil-
WHERE CHILDREN COME FIRST dren; she makes sure she greets every
child, by name as they come through the
Story & Photo by Janice Carter-Booth door. She also takes care of any pending
questions or concerns from parents as
the children go to class. Her multi-task-
ing ability is uncanny. I do not think I’ve
HEN THE DOORS OPENED motto is ‘Kids First, then everything else ever seen her without a warm smile of
Win 2014 for Pathways Academy, will follow.’ Each family sits down with welcome for every one of 180 students
Carol McIntosh, who never dreamed a credentialed teacher to map out lesson through the years. I can truly vouch for
of running a school, was doing just plans, choosing the curriculum to fit the this incredible lady, and her sincere and
that. After one charter school split, and student and their learning style. Carol on top of things approach because five of
another closed, none having the same explained that there are three learning my grandchildren are going to Pathways
vision, Carol, a teacher of 24 years, styles. One being kinesthetic, which now. Two whom had struggled in public
was forced to rethink her options. means hands-on, and more mobility. Of- school. Seemingly these issues couldn’t
Starting a public charter -homeschool ten these children learn through songs be resolved. Kiri is smart, but a hands-
seemed insurmountable, but with such and movement, (acting) for instance. on type of girl, who was hard pressed
encouragement, support, and more Also, there is the visual learner, and then being in classrooms with 30 plus kids.
than a bit of a nudge from her, hus- the auditory learner, learning through For Oliver the teachers he studied under
band, David, she ventured forth into hearing the information. Families also weren’t following the very important,
uncharted waters. Low and behold up get educational funds to attend optional motto “Kids First.”
sprang this wonderful learning center, enrichment classes. For instance, this In conclusion, if there were more
Pathways Academy. year Pathways offers technology, art, people like Carol in the world, not only
acting, music, robotics, foreign lan- would it be a kinder, and more gracious
guage, science labs and some higher place, but children would have bigger
math classes, on site. Other funds go for smiles while opening their minds to all
curriculum, tutoring, field trips, and off- the possibilities, they never imagined
site vendors. The on-site classes are on existed, and at their fingertips, no less!
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If you want a great educational
Carol said, “Our whole staff is con- experience for your children or grand-
tinuing to grow and learn about differ- children, check out Pathways’ website.
ent types of curriculum and different www.pathwaysacademy.education.
homeschool models.” Pathways phone number, also Carol’s
Now for a little about the lady, that cell is 920 277 6743.
made all this possible! She was born
and raised in Wisconsin, she told me,
she loves butter, and cheese and actually
thinks they are a food group. She is a
Pathways Academy started with just die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, besides.
70 kids and three teachers. Now they When she finds the time from working
have 180 students, eight teachers, and an as Program Lead for Pathways, Carol’s
intern. It is TK- 12th with the possibil- loves to go swimming, scuba diving, and
ity for middle school, and High School cooking her favorite foods.
age children to go to Palomar College Carol has two teaching credentials,
concurrently. Educational funds for one from UCSD, for California, and one
college texts are available for those grade from Wisconsin. She homeschooled her
students. In fact, a student at Pathways, own three children, now 23, 24, and 26,
was the youngest ever, just 13, to gradu- until her oldest reached the 4th grade.
ate from Palomar College! Claire Lewis For a lot of years, Carol was a single
graduated from High School at Path- parent, so it wasn’t just smooth sailing,
ways and from Palomar College with her while the kids were growing. Then,
AA, this past June. Finding this out was sometime later, something wonderful
a real “Wow,” moment to me! and unexpected happened to Carol, She
Pathways conducts its classes across met “a most delightful man,” her words,
from San Marcos State University. Their who has taken a back seat, but most gra-

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