Gables Academy & Blueprint Education Partnership

One of the favorite parts of my job is meeting new people.  Especially when those people share the same passion I have in life… helping students succeed.  Gables Academy in Stone Mountain, Georgia, (about 20 minutes east of Atlanta) is a small log cabin private school setting for 20–25 special education students. Gables is committed to meeting every need of these students and offers a bit of educational southern comfort to students who have had little success in other educational settings.

I traveled to Gables with the newest member of the Blueprint Education Distance Learning team — Brenda Baer.  Brenda has worked as the Special Education Coordinator for Blueprint for the past year, but her focus was on three charter schools and two alternative schools. In July, Brenda took over as the Distance Learning Director.  And, Gables is her first curriculum partnership.  “I instantly felt at peace at this comfortable, tranquil learning environment,” Brenda commented about Gables Academy.

Several Blueprint Education team members have been in conversation with Dr. James Meffen of Gables for several weeks.  Dr. Meffen was looking for an accredited curriculum that was flexible enough to meet the wide range of learning needs that his students have.  Brenda and I visited Stone Mountain to train Gables Academy teachers on the ins and outs of how to use Blueprint Education’s print based curriculum. This was Brenda’s first curriculum training and she stated afterwards, “I have a good feeling about this partnership…the staff asked good questions and understand Blueprint’s educational philosophy.”  I could not agree more.  Blueprint believes that all students are capable of success – NO EXCEPTIONS.  Upon arrival at Gables Academy the welcome sign says Every Child Can Succeed. Looks like a match made in educational heaven… 

Co-written by Jennifer Blackstone and Brenda Baer