Can the new Montezuma-Cortez High School lead to additional community involvement and greater academic success?
“Change is good,” said veteran social studies teacher Raymond Harriman. “I think the kids are really going to respond.”
While the answers remain unknown, the new two-story 152,000-square-foot, cutting-edge facility is poised to have a huge impact on both students and the community.
“School and community go hand-in-hand,” said Harriman.
While preparing his new classroom for the first day of school recently, Harriman was excited about the possibilities that could result from the modern schoolhouse. He remarked that the school’s FrontRow lesson capture software program could serve as a catalyst for more civic engagement.
“I think the new school could serve as a fuse to encourage more community involvement,” he said.
In addition to the FrontRow – which allows classroom lessons to be recorded and viewed online by students and parents – each classroom also features stand-alone Wi-Fi. That digital capability will offer additional learning opportunities, said Harriman.
“Instead of relying on a text book, which provides limited information sometimes, we can now access the worldwide net, which is an amazing source of information,” said Harriman.
English teacher Kim Allen liked the technology too, but she said she was most excited about the classroom windows. Disputing the idea that students may tend to daydream, Allen said that allowing students to view the outdoors should lower classroom anxiety and disruption.
“The natural light helps with headaches and concentration,” said Allen.
Allen, also an assistant with the theater department, Allen said she could barely contain herself regarding the new contemporary 450-seat performing arts center, designed as a multipurpose space for musical, theatrical and speaking events.
“The auditorium is beautiful,” she said. “It’s going to help us bring our performances up to the next level.”
As for raising the academic bar, career-technical education teacher Lori Mott was excited about leading the fire-emergency course in her classroom, which includes 10 bunker lockers – complete with fire helmets, suits and boots – as well as an ambulance.
“We can provide a more real-life scenario,” said Mott. “This is a tremendous improvement over what we had.”
At the old school, for example, the ambulance was stored outdoors, meaning it was inaccessible during the winter. Student safety was also an area of concern.
“Now, it’s much more of a learning tool,” said Mott. “Plus, it’s a lot safer.”
Inside the ambulance, which was donated by Southwest Memorial Hospital, cameras allow students to view lessons in real time from desks.
“Everything in here is state of the art,” said Mott. “I really think it’s going to motivate students to get the most out of their education.”
As anticipation builds for the first day of classes inside the new building on Aug. 26, Harriman, Allen and Mott agreed: They can’t wait.
“The first day of school is always exciting, but the new building just enhances that enthusiasm,” said Harriman.
tbaker@cortezjournal.co
