At last week’s Mayoral Forum at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, Catalyst staff member and alumni mother spoke on her life-changing experience at Catalyst Charter Schools. Here’s what she said:

 

Good Evening,

My name is Mrs. Myers.  I am the proud parent of a Charlie Myers, an alumni of Catalyst Circle Rock. Catalyst is a proud charter public school and we have 520 students grades K-8. I was always dissatisfied with the education I received in Chicago. When it came time to send my son to school, I vowed not to send him to a public school.  My husband and I chose a private school that was in this very building. When I learned that school was closing, we were ready to move on. But then we were told that the school was becoming a charter public school and our son would be in the lottery for that school. Right before school started in the summer of 2008, Charlie was offered a seat off the school’s waitlist. We accepted.

I used to think I was here by default.  But I now understand it was a planned agenda but not my agenda.  Choosing Catalyst Circle Rock for my Charlie is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.  The level of education Charlie received here and the numerous programs he was exposed to was great. They partnered with me and my husband and together, we pushed him and challenged him. From this school, he attended one of the city’s top private schools. Today, he is a sophomore at Bradley University.

But THE plan continued. First, I was a volunteer at Catalyst. Later, I became an employee. Now, after 8 years of being a Catalyst employee, I understand the plan. Here at Catalyst, I have the opportunity to participate in the dreams of others.  And I’m grateful to Catalyst for giving me that opportunity.

Thank you for being here with us this evening.