SSIS – New Leadership Brings New Innovations
BY EDNA SHERRELL
Dr. Sherika Evans
Dr. Sherika Evans loves her job. Her role as principal of the Suncoast School for Innovative Studies – SSIS gives her the chance to meet the needs of children, while positively affecting their parents and families. She knows the critical role school plays in the family environment, and the community. And she is excited about how SSIS can give children – and parents – the attention they deserve. Since her May appointment as principal of SSIS, Dr. Evans has focused on an environment for growth, on every level.
“I care about my students, and I care about my parents, too. I am listening to my parents and addressing the needs they have right now. I want to cultivate a true community school, where both my parents and my students feel as much at home here among my staff, as they do within their own neighborhoods.”
Prior to her appointment as principal, she served three years as assistant principal, then SSIS Interim Executive Director. She wants to see students in grades K-8 ready and willing to imagine their next moves. Plans are underway for clubs, programs and learning opportunities that speak to the development of the whole child. Looking through the parent-lens, Dr. Evans says, “As a parent of three school-aged children, that is what I look for.” SSIS students will get reading, writing, arithmetic, field trips, “Marvelous Mondays,” “WOW Wednesdays,” and more. Kindergarteners can look forward to learning centers at the campus on School Avenue. Middle schoolers can get ready for leadership opportunities and expanded sports teams at the campus on Wilkinson. Dr. Evans is ready to embrace the 2019-2020 year with all the innovation needed to meet the needs of her community. Dr. Evans philosophy of educating children begins with school meeting as may needs as possible.
Her vision of SSIS’ future is simple: “A school that is willing to become what families need – a place with extended days to give parents more time to work without worrying about finding a sitter, a place where children are practicing for soccer, football, and cheer-leading within the security of the school grounds, a place where parents are using computers to take online courses in the late evening knowing that their children are being looked after in a classroom next door.”
She brings a unique perspective to the principal’s office: Dr. Evans looks through the lenses of parent, teacher and top administrator as she searches for ways to make the SSIS experience a broad learning experience. Raising three school-aged sons keeps her and her husabnd, Coach Kenny, busy. They know the demands of parenting, and balancing school with “everything else.” She thinks of the type of encounters parents want for their children, and the things that will make children excited to come to school every day. Dr. Evans says, “I believe most families are looking for a place where their child feels socially comfortable. They want to find a place where children are free to be themselves, learn, and grow, but not be bullied. They want a place where they know the staff really knows their child, and their family. They want their child looked after and seen for the unique individual he or she is. Parents know to truly teach their child, you must first reach their child. The perfect school would be filled with caring and understanding teachers and staff, who are able to help children learn despite any perceived obstacles.” Parents search for the “perfect fit” for their child’s education. Dr. Evans’ years of interacting with elementary school children gives the definition in simple terms: “Simply put from the view point of a child – a place where they can have friends, learn, and play. I know this because I have asked many of my students and my own children this question.” She believes this simple answer holds the key to true learning and engagement for the elementary student. It will take an innovative approach, and Dr. Sherika Evans is ready for that. She states, “The words “Innovative Studies” are embedded in our school’s name. My vision for my kindergarteners and the rest of my students requires a very innovative approach indeed…. We are going to follow best practices and common sense. We will let the children learn through play. My kindergarten classes will be filled with learning stations that allow students to use their imaginations to create worlds of fancy that involve interacting with other students. The entire elementary school will reap the benefits of 3 recesses per day.” In today’s climate of high-stakes testing, ideas like three recesses are almost revolutionary. Dr. Evans continued,
“I said it – recess. Children need to move. They need to interact with each other, just as much as they need to practice reading, writing, and arithmetic. SSIS students will learn just as much about caring for their environment and each other as they will learn about the strategies that can be used to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Also, with classes in music, dance, and drama, my students will learn multiple ways to express themselves, while building confidence and self- esteem.”
SSIS is a K-8 school with two campuses. Grades K-5 are located at 845 S. School Avenue, while grades 6-8 are schooled at 4311 Wilkinson Road. Both facilities offer transportation, school lunches, and programs dedicated to appropriate age groups. Like all Sarasota County charter schools, they follow the district calendar and curriculum, but offer differences that suit students and their families. For a school tour, registration or more information, call Dr. Evans at (941) 953-4433 at the elementary school, or (941) 342-0963 for the SSIS middle school.
