Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Dunlap.
Hi Don, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Mars Hill North Carolina, about halfway between Asheville and Johnson City TN. It’s in the very backwoods Madison County (we “piped the sunshine in and the moonshine out” as it was a haven for moonshine in the day). Mars Hill is home to an excellent private music school, and tuition for local residents was discounted by 75% – since I wanted to be a Band Director, it was a no-brainer for me to attend there. After graduating with my Bachelors of Music Education, I was unable to find employment (there was only 1 band director position in the whole state that year) so I pivoted and did odd jobs, ending up in the management program of a Wendy’s franchisee, where I worked for several years in various restaurants in western North Carolina. I found a position as a Manager for Rose’s Stores, a regional discount retailer, and worked at several of their store in Western North Carolina as well. I then started working as a manager for Hertz Rent-A-Car starting in their Charlotte NC operation. Since I was obviously deep into management, I wanted to formalize my experience by getting an MBA degree to enhance my credentials and promotability. Upon receiving that degree, I was promoted to the newly created position of Fleet Manager for the Hertz area in Atlanta in early 1995 (including the airport and city locations there as well as Montgomery AL, Chattanooga TN and Augusta GA) to get it ready for the impending Olympic games in 1996. After a couple promotions into the regional office, my wife of 16 years died in an accident, and I ended up leaving and starting a convenience store in Covington GA thinking I would run the store side and my teenaged son (an aspiring chef at the time) could run the food side. He really didn’t have the discipline at the time, so I sold the business and started teaching business at the alternative school for our county, staying there 19 years. During that time, I joined the Chamber of Commerce thinking that would be a rich resource of quest speakers and such for my students. I participated in the Chamber’s Leadership Henry program, developing deep connections with local business, community, political and faith lears over the next many years. During that time, I served on many boards of directors of many non-profit, business, and community organizations; one of which was the board of Our World School. In January of 2022, I resigned all of my boards so I could run for County Commissioner (with the blessing of my Principal and the Superintendent). While that campaign was unsuccessful, it was very much a learning experience for me being the candidate and not just the guy running the sign team for another candidate, which had done a few times in the past. I mentioned that I might be interested in being the Executive Director of non-profit, being the person executing the mission and vision of the board rather than just having a seat on the board. The fopnder of the school saw that and mentioned the Our World’s Executive Director had left to start her own educational consulting business and asked if I’d be interested in the position. I was indeed, and after making sure I didn’t burn a bridge with my Principal and Superintendent (they were very encouraging actually) I started in this position in September of 2022.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. It seems like nothing is easy for me. My father committed suicide when I was 16 which was pretty weird, leaving me and my mom to care for 33 acres and cows, chickens, turkeys, and a huge garden. We ended up selling it and she move to New York to be closer to my brother while I moved into the residence halls at school. My brother died shortly thereafter. Not being able to find a job in my chosen field and having to pivot to business management, which I knew nothing about, was a challenge. When I decided to get my MBA, I had to take all kinds of undergraduate business classes before I could even enter the MBA program. Having my wife die while my son was about the same age I was when my dad died was pretty challenging, and I was the proverbial dad that was always at work and left the child rearing top my wife. My son ended up dropping out of school, leaving home, and moved to Florida to stay with his aunt. He ended up growing up, moving back to this county, and runs a local printing business. There have been myriad other challenges, but I guess they have all strengthened me and made me more resilient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
School Overview
Our World School (OWS) began as a conversation between the original Executive Director of Our World at H.O.P.E. Park (the 501(c)(3) organization that operates the school among other special needs things in the Southern Crescent of Metro Atlanta), one of the current parents here, and the founders of the non-profit at the founders’ office at C&C Fence in McDonough GA. The parents and Executive Director expressed the numerous conversations they had had with parents of special needs students in the Southern Crescent about the need for a special needs school here. The special education department in the local public school system was not able to really serve the students and their educational outcomes were poor. Large class sizes, inadequate resources, inexperienced teachers and staff, poor development and implementation of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), lack of grouping by grade or ability level in a classroom all contributed to the problem. They sold the need for the school to the founder and the board of directors and work on the school began.
Starting in 2016, Our World School paired with Able School in McDonough, renting space on their campus (which was inside a church campus). They assisted with curricular resources, payroll services (which we reimbursed), and accreditation assistance (with the Georgia Accrediting Commission). We had 9 students in this initial year. After this first year, we moved to Relevant Church in Locust Grove GA who allowed us to use three Sunday School rooms and their auditorium. Increasing rent costs and the need to move out classrooms into a storage building to make room for church activities made this a challenging home for us. During this year we began the process of becoming able to participate in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship – a blessing for our parents and a way to help the school get on a firmer financial footing (a process which was completed in September 2018).
Our World School found a commercial building (our present site) and purchased it in time to start the 2018-2019 school year via a temporary Certificate of Occupancy. We started in this building with 5 classrooms and 22 students. In 2020 we had 25 students, 35 in 2021, and 46 starting the 2022-2023 school year. These were the three years significantly impacted by the pandemic – while we had several closures from following the mandated guidance, we were able to keep the school open most of the time. During the initial years in this building, we had a lot of transitions in Educational Directors and teachers.
The original Executive Director of the non-profit left in the spring of 2022 to start her own educational consulting firm, and the board brought on a former board member to be its second Executive Director in September 2022. He added a behavior therapy firm to our existing occupational and speech vendors and brought our current Educational Director onboard in March of 2023. We purchased and began using IEP software during this school year. Over the summer they revised class structure and composition, adjusted teacher pays to mirror the public-school salary scale, increased paraprofessional pays well above the local public schools, added devices to make the curriculum more interactive, and revised the IEP process to ensure it was done properly and with fidelity. These changes have resulted in a happier staff that truly enjoy coming each day.
Our World School started the 2023-2024 school year with 45 students (currently at 56) and are looking forward to moving into a new (to us) school building at 400 Lake Dow Drive in McDonough over the summer; where we will start a new chapter.
Our Mission and Vision and How It Influences What We Do
At Our World School, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for students with special needs, fostering a community where every individual is celebrated for who they are.
Mission and Vision:
Our World School is committed to empowering students with special needs to reach their full potential. We envision a world where differences are embraced, and each child’s journey is guided with compassion, respect, and personalized attention.
Educational Approach:
At Our World School, we recognize the diversity of learning styles and tailor our teaching methods to meet the individual needs of each student. Our curriculum (Unique Learning System) is designed to foster cognitive, social, and emotional development, promoting a well-rounded education.
Dedicated Staff:
Our passionate staff is devoted to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. They undergo continuous training to stay abreast of the latest teaching methodologies and therapeutic techniques, ensuring that each student receives the best care and guidance.
Therapeutic Services:
Understanding the importance of consistent development and progress, Our World School offers a range of therapeutic services. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy are seamlessly integrated into our school’s educational plan to address the unique needs of our students.
Inclusive Community:
Our World School values the importance of an inclusive community. We encourage open communication and collaboration between teachers, parents, and students to create a supportive network that extends beyond the classroom.
Extracurricular Activities:
Beyond academics, Our World School provides a variety of extracurricular activities to enhance the students’ overall experience. From adapted sports programs (Sunshine League Baseball and Cheerleading) to our Coffee Shop, 4 H club, and male’s mentoring group, we believe in fostering talents and interests that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Parent Involvement:
We strongly believe in the partnership between school and home. Regular communication, parent workshops, and involvement in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process ensure that families are actively engaged in their child’s educational journey.
At Our World School, every child is a unique thread in the vibrant tapestry of our community. We welcome you to explore the boundless possibilities that our school offers, where differences are not only accepted but celebrated. Together, let’s embark on a journey of growth, learning, and inclusion.
School Statistics
Our World School currently has a total of 56 students. Out of the 56 students, 19% are in our Elementary Grade Band (Kindergarten-2nd), 26% are in our Intermediate Grade Band (3rd-5th), 25% are in our Middle School Grade Band (6th-8th), and 28% are in our High School Grade Band (9th-12th). Our students can remain enrolled at Our World School until their 22nd birthday.
According to our demographic data, 59% percent of the students at Our World School are African American while 43% are Caucasian. 3% of our students are Hispanic and 1% are Asian. Our school consists of 88% of students that are male and 18% that are female.
Board of Trustees
The Our World School Board of Trustees is composed of ten members with the necessary skills, experience, and commitment to effectively govern the institution and support its mission. These members come from various vocational backgrounds including a Financial Advisor, Marketing Consultant, Business Owners, the Executive Director, and Parents of students that attend Our World School. Positions include the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-Chairman. When selecting members of the Board of Trustees, qualities such as commitment to the school’s mission, relevant experience in education or special needs advocacy, financial acumen, legal expertise, fundraising ability, diversity, and connections within the community, are considered. Trustee positions are advertised through professional networks. The prospective members are presented to the full board for approval. Discussion and deliberation take place prior to making a decision regarding the prospective members’ service on the Board of Trustees. To ensure that members of the Board of Trustees understand their roles and responsibilities, Our World School holds training such as the one held by Ms. Gillispie (GISA) during one of the regular board meetings. A Governing Board Handbook was also created to provide additional guidance to members. At Our World School, we want to ensure that the Board of Trustees is composed of dedicated individuals who are committed to advancing the school’s mission and supporting the needs of its students.
Employees
Staff:
Currently, Our World School has an Executive Director, Educational Director, nine certified teachers, ten paraprofessionals, and two long-term substitutes.
Building Leadership Team:
The Building Leadership Team (BLT) is composed of the Executive Director, Educational Director, a teacher leader from each grade band, and a paraprofessional representative.
Strategic Plan Overview
Major Goal Areas:
• Curriculum and Instruction
○ Enhance Curriculum and Instruction
■ At Our World School, we will increase the percentage of students that score proficient in the areas of Mathematics and Reading on the End of the Year Unique Learning System Benchmark Assessments.
○ Implement Individualized Education Plans
■ At Our World School, we will increase the percentage of students that make progress on the majority of their IEP objectives in the areas of Mathematics and Reading/ ELA.
• Parent and Family Engagement
○ Increase Parent and Family Involvement
■ At Our World School, we will establish a Parent Committee to ensure that parents have a voice in shaping school policies, programs, and practices. We will collect feedback from parents and use this feedback to make necessary adjustments and better meet the needs of our students.
○ Increase Parent and Family Engagement
■ At Our World School, we will implement a comprehensive communication plan to improve parent-school partnerships and communication. We will organize parent engagement events to actively involve parents in their child’s education.
•Technology Goals
○ Improve the Integration of Technology in the Classroom
■ At Our World School, we will develop a long-term, sustainable technology plan that will maintain a technologically advanced and inclusive learning environment. We will organize targeted professional development sessions for teachers and staff to enhance their proficiency in utilizing technology for special needs education.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am just delighted to have folks hear about us!
Pricing:
- 17,500 Tuition
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourworldschool.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourworldschool
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054961005143
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/our-world-school
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCPR2jCzBT7kub7Qf54LvVg
- Other: https://youtu.be/KLP6FxuUlv8?si=_X5E0Y1cyRW-poQ5
Image Credits
Mr. Kevin Baker
