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At Dunn Preparatory, the administration
and staff believe learning is a “profoundly
unique experience,” which means
each child should be given instruction
and opportunities to observe, discern
and discover that fit their individual
learning style. Because learning is
individual, the academy says assessment
of learning must also be individual.
The academy follows a “whole child
approach” to assessment, including
formal standardized testing as well as
portfolio and practical application to
assess achievement.
Dunn Prep fol lows the Manatee
County school calendar and maintains
an affordable yet appropriate tuition
structure. More than 7 percent of
Dunn Prep families receive some
sort of scholarship funds, and the
academy accepts Mckay, Step Up For
Students and PLSA state-sponsored
scholarships.
Outside of the Box
Born and raised in Florida, Passmore has
lived in Bradenton for the last 22 years.
Before she joined WECC, Passmore
taught in Manatee County public schools
for 10 years. “I was a 5th grade teacher
at Braden River Elementary and then
a Reading Coach for Manatee County
schools,” she explains.
In addition to her current role at WECC
and Dunn Preparatory, Passmore also
sits on the Early Learning Coalition (ELC)
Board. “I love being on the Board,” she
enthuses. “I am drawn to out of the box
thinking and solutions, and Paul Sharff,
the CEO at the Coalition, has led us to try
many innovative ideas and programs that
have brought real change to the children
in Manatee County.”
For instance, she says they implemented
a pre-reading program with a “coaching”
model similar to the reading coaches in
public schools. “It is an Orton-Gillingham
based program and has had outstanding
results,” she adds. According to Passmore,
these innovations are what inspire her to
stay on the Board. “It is a lot of time and
effort to be on the Board, but when you see
real change in the community and the lives
of children, it is highly motivating.”
Even when she’s not working, Passmore
constantly has education on the brain.
“I can really geek out over the latest
brain research and what is happening in
neuroscience related to education,” she
says. “I am going to Yale with a team from
our school to become a part of a new
program that the Yale University Institute
for Emotional Intelligence is offering in
March. I am really looking forward to that.”
Considering her level of commitment
and passion, it’s obvious that Jennifer
Passmore has a real mind and heart
for education.
• For more information about Dunn Preparatory Academy, visit www.gowecc.com/dunn.
/dunn