Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Kukler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michele. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Connections School of Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) organization providing high school education and community engagement opportunities for youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. Connections is the brainchild of a fierce group of parents and educators who dreamed of a school where neurodiversity would be celebrated and relationships would be the foundation for learning. In August 2016, we opened our doors for the first time with a class of six students and have 18 students enrolled for the upcoming school year. In addition to our school program, we engage more neurodiverse youth in the Atlanta area through our Friends of CSA program, which consists of weekly lunch outings and recreational activities such as kayaking, zip-lining, rock climbing, and fishing. We are a standout program in Atlanta because of our belief that all students are capable of learning and deserve unlimited opportunities to reach their potential. Rather than focusing on “behaviors” to fix, we spotlight our students’ strengths and encourage self-advocacy. We believe this is why we’ve been able to grow our student body each year entirely through word of mouth. Our students look forward to coming to school knowing they are safe, respected, valued, and seen as whole human beings with gifts to offer the world. Connections is more than a school though. We are a connecting point for families, friends, educators, aspiring professionals, and community members who are looking to embrace neurodiverse individuals and perspectives in their lives. A critical part of our mission is to educate the greater community on acceptance and inclusion of individuals who think, relate, and communicate differently. We are a little school with big dreams!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest obstacle yet has definitely been our switch to virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic! The relationships students have with their teachers and each other is critical to the learning process, and Zoom classes just don’t offer that same personal connection. Our teachers do more than deliver content; they co-regulate, meaning their warmth, coaching, and calm presence helps students regulate their emotions and bodies so they are in an optimal state for learning. The teachers also utilize alternative methods of communication and hands-on activities to engage the students in classes, both of which are difficult to implement virtually. Some parents are feeling frustrated because they are missing out on work in order to support their teenager with online learning. Some of our families have been impacted financially and are worried about paying tuition. Connections operates almost entirely on income from tuition, so we, like every other organization right now, are having to plan for different financial scenarios. We are fortunate to have a solid and supportive Board of Directors, teachers who love their jobs and are all returning for the new school year, and students and parents who value the education we provide and will ensure our community continues to thrive!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Connections School of Atlanta story. Tell us more about the business.
At Connections, we prepare neurodiverse youth to become engaged, productive and valued members of their communities. We utilize a project-based approach to learning and focus on real-world applications of the academic content. We are fully accredited, and our students can earn all the credits they need for a high school diploma if they desire one. We are in the process of designing a transition program to support pathways to college, vocational studies, internships, employment, and adult living arrangements. In addition to the core subject areas, we provide yoga, art, music, theater, and STEM classes. We have a fantastic outdoor education program that culminates each year with an overnight camping trip.
We are known for our unwavering belief that all people have the innate desire and potential to learn. We know our students are constantly taking in information from the world around them, so we like to say, “learning doesn’t have a look.” Whether you speak with your mouth or communicate with an alphabet board, whether you sit down at a desk or bounce at the window, and whether you look at the teacher in the eyes or curl up under a weighted blanket, we will talk to you like the young adult you are, we’ll teach you something interesting and meaningful, and we will help the rest of the world see your strengths and intelligence.
We are most proud of our community partnerships with The Paideia School and Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). Each year, dozens of high schoolers from Paideia connect with our students through academic coursework, collaborative projects, online video chats, and social learning opportunities such as four square, kickball, bowling, swimming, talent shows, and chess! Paideia students also join us for our annual prom, summer camps, and other after school activities. Students who have graduated from Paideia have shared that their time with Connections students was one of the most impactful experiences they had in high school and helped shape their future. There is often a waiting list for Paideia students to participate in courses and joint programs with Connections! The Paideia students were especially important to us during the transition to online learning. They joined in on our virtual prom and talent show, and some students organized weekend Zoom game nights to continue the connection and friendships with our students. Our partnership with Paideia is truly life-changing.
We are also tremendously grateful for our strategic partnership with MODA. The team at MODA provides for us an on-site art, design, and technology education program that inspires creative thinking, facilitates the development of problem-solving skills, and promotes collaboration. Our students take field trips to the museum for each exhibition, and Connections hosts community events at MODA. The program reflects the shared priorities and values of both of our organizations, including education, inclusion, creativity, and civic engagement.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We were tremendously lucky to find our school home at the historic Inman Park United Methodist Church. We were about to sign the rental agreement for another location when the Inman Park space became available. I’m so thankful we changed directions! The church personnel are wonderful and supportive of our students and mission. We are next door to public transportation and have multiple parks and endless restaurants within walking distance, which has been critical to our community engagement. Our space is cozy and quirky and a perfect fit for us. When visitors come to our building, they often say, “it doesn’t feel like a school!” We love that sentiment because it’s not an institution to us, it’s our home in the sense that we feel safe and loved inside those walls. Man, I miss being there! I miss hearing the Marta rolling by and the church bell ringing throughout the day.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1017 Edgewood Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
- Website: www.connectionsschool.org
- Phone: 404-602-9404
- Email: info@connectionsschool.org
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