Gardner At Queens High School Of Teaching
The
Howard Gardner known for the philosophy of multiple intelligences said:
"I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the
world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to
understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better
place."
The Gardner community emerged the first year of the existance of QHST.
Mr Pugh(QHST principal) and Joan Washington (811Q principal) at that
time joined forces to create a unique program in which District 75
students would be accepted into an inclusive non judgemental high school
environment. At the on set of the program there were only 8 District 75
inclusion students and one self contained class. The following year the
inclusion program grew to include 16 students in a cross community
setting. By the third year of the program it was decided that each
community (Freire, Montessori and Emerson) would host 9 District 75
students with one SETSS teacher. These students whose instruction would
be shared by the two schools were given what we began to call "double
citizenship", they belonged to the Gardner (D75) and whichever community
hosted them. At the present time the Gardner Community has five self
contained classes and three inclusion programs at QHST.
The QHST Friends Program allows general education students to peer
tutor, help in social situations and learn to adapt and modify work so
that all students can benefit from the inclusive setting.
The Garden Club was started four years ago as a vision of students
having hands on learning experiences. At that time the club aligned
itself with the Ecology club and the 4 H club. The 4 H club has built
all the raised beds in the garden. These beds were created so that all
students including those in wheelchairs would have access to gardening.
Each year the garden continues to grow and it now produces enough to
share produce during the Summer and early Fall time. During the Summer
months the District 75 students work and maintain the garden daily.
To find out more about PS811Q District 75 Programs attached is a link to
the comprehensive plan whose mission statement is:
"The mission of PS 811Q is to promote challenging educational
experiences, with equity of opportunity and access, that will enable all
students, commensurate with their abilities to become participating and
contributing members of a multicultural society."