My City December 2022

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MYSTORY

We want every student to find themselves and be exposed to what’s possible.” DR. CHERY WAGONLANDER

All MMC grads are expected to complete the State of Michigan Mer it Curriculum requirements, approved College Readiness Curriculum, a minimum of 15 college credit hours and either 100 hours of community service or a minimum of 40 hours of career exploration, internship or clinical experience (or a combina tion of two that equals more than 70 hours). Some students graduate with an associate degree from MCC or the maximum of 60 transferable college credits – it is all up to the students. “Every MMC enrollee is a college student,” says Wagonlander. “It is not a choice. Students who graduate with college credits are more likely to attend and finish college.They are invested in the opportunity.”

In addition to the standardmiddle college requirements,MMCman dates a student take a class in the fine arts. “We want every student to find themselves and be exposed to what’s possible,” saysWagonlander. At the end of their journey, students take a graduate survey answering questions about self-efficacy –How do they view themselves? “We have 95% self-effi cacy rates and students say they feel prepared for the future,” says former MMCPrincipal,Margaret Green. “It’s one of our favorite outcomes.” There are three other big ways that MMC sets itself apart from tradi tional high schools. For one,MMC students attend high school for a fifth year. “When looking through the data, we found that some students were dropping out after their freshman year of college and realized that some were not socially ready for it.They needed just one more year,” explainsWagon lander. Each student’s educational development plan is designed to include a fifth year. For many, the final year includes community service, internships and college courses, all free of charge. Next,MMCundergoes con stant adjustments that help tailor curriculum to alleviate student need. “We listen to our teachers and counselors as to what students are struggling with

each year,” says Green. “For example, if they are coming in with low reading levels, we adjust to help fix the issue.” How they address student needs is also unique. “Our teachers design the cur riculum,”Green states. “It’s not hand ed to them fromabove.”Wagonlander says with a smile, “I’ve learned to say ‘yes’ over the years I acted as principal and it has led to some amazing lessons and dedicated teachers.Our Puppet Theatre, for instance – I would have never guessed it would work so well.” In an effort to bolsterMichigan’s middle/early college movement, Wagonlander established theMichi gan Early/Middle College Association (MEMCA) in 2005 as a local affili ate of theMiddle College National Consortiumwith the purpose of increasing the collegiate and post-sec ondary success and completion rate ofMichigan youth.The groupmeets annually to share best practices, con cerns and new student trends. Since its creation,Wagonlander has worked as executive director continuing her mission of helping establishmiddle colleges throughout the state.This past November,Wagonlander officially retired from the position and handed the reins toMargaret Green; howev er,the dedication tomiddle college education continues forWagonlander as she offers advice and suggestions for direction toGreen andMEMCA.

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IN 2019, DR. WAGONLANDER RECEIVED THE GENESEE COUNTY FOUNDATION’S “EVERYDAY HERO” AWARD.

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