Woodlawn Community Academy

I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my early years helping to establish this school - a place I poured nearly four years of my life into, including two years unpaid, to help lay its foundation and create an environment where students and families could thrive. My family also sacrificed, volunteering their time and resources to help get the school off the ground - from building the original website to setting up the computers and technology. Sadly, none of those contributions were ever acknowledged.Over time, the environment turned toxic, and I was eventually forced out by the very people I had worked alongside. The co-founder, with a hand-picked board, claimed full credit for what was built through collective sacrifice. It was deeply disappointing, especially from those who claimed to share Christian values, to see history rewritten, sacrifices ignored, and conflict handled through passive-aggressive behavior instead of honest conversation and grace.I'll admit - in the middle of it all, there were hard feelings and words exchanged on my part too. The situations became emotionally charged and unsettling, and certain scenarios were created where I was made to look like the sole problem. It was confusing, disheartening, and ultimately relayed to the board in a way that cast me in the worst light. Looking back, as believers, I truly wish there could have been a sincere attempt to work through those issues, but that opportunity was never allowed.Despite all of this, I have forgiven everyone involved. Carrying bitterness only weighs you down, and I've learned that God can use even painful experiences for growth. That school has since closed, and though it was a hard chapter, it shaped me. I later went on to start a second private school with another teacher who also walked through that same toxic environment. That new chapter lasted a blessed 11 years.Now, I'm back in public education, working as an ESE teacher, enjoying my time before retirement, and thankful for what those experiences taught me - about leadership, partnerships, and the importance of humility, honesty, and integrity in both faith and work. I may not have been publicly credited for those early sacrifices, but I know what I helped build, my family knows, and more importantly - so does God.Sometimes He allows us to walk through hard seasons to prepare us for better ones, and for that, I am grateful.

My child began attending WCA in his 5th grade. He recently graduated from high school and works part time and attends SPC. We loved the small group settings for important subjects like reading, writing, math, and spelling. The student folders were helpful as we were able to see how our child was doing each and every day. Our child was diagnosed with mild autism, OCD, and is hearing impaired. We are proud of the school and of our child who overcame many of his issues as the stress and pressure was diminished once we began at WCA. We were extremely happy to volunteer at the school and chaperone any field trip. We tried the public school and Montessori learning environments and it was just too unstructured, overcrowded, and too busy with our child that needed more guidance and support.