The
National
Alternative
Education
Association
(NAEA)
named
Independence
Nontraditional
School
as
the
first
school
to
be
designated
an
Exemplary
Practices
Model.
The
school
received
this
honor
based
on
its
utilization
and
implementation
of
the
NAEA's
exemplary
practices
to
develop
a
model
for
other
nontraditional
schools
within
this
country.
"This
recognition
is
important
as
it
serves
to
illustrate
the
great
work
our
students
and
those
who
serve
them
do
in
all
aspects
of
teaching
and
learning,"
said
Dr.
Robert
Eichorn,
principal
of
Independence
Nontraditional.
"It
exemplifies
what
we
see
in
our
students
and
one
another
each
day."
The
practices
are
woven
into
the
school's
foundation,
most
notably
its
vision:
We
develop
integrity,
intellect,
and
ingenuity
in
everyone.
Guided
by
this
vision,
staff
work
to
develop
individualized
plans
and
offer
streamlined
support
that
ultimately
better
help
foster
student
success.
"The
teachers
here
are
the
best
that
I
have
ever
had.
I
have
gotten
more
help
in
my
time
at
Independence
than
I
have
ever
received
prior
to
coming
here,"
said
Jayda
Jones,
a
10th
grade
student
at
Independence.
"I'm
comfortable
here
because
of
the
relationships
the
staff
creates
with
the
students.
I
know
I
can
go
to
my
counselor,
administrator,
or
teachers
and
get
the
help
I
need
when
I
need
it."
Independence
will
be
recognized
at
the
NAEA
national
conference
in
St.
Louis,
Missouri
in
October.
Staff
are
also
invited
to
present,
as
they
continue
to
set
an
example
for
other
nontraditional
programs
that
are
still
growing
their
educational
practices
and
support
for
students.
"With
[the
recognition]
comes
the
responsibility
then
to
collaborate
with
these
other
[nontraditional]
schools,
providing
support,
resources
and
best
practices
and
being
a
liaison
in
a
collaborative
manner,"
added
Dr.
Eichorn.
