Concord Academy, a small school with a big heart, prepares students with learning differences for lifelong success.
Founded in 1983, Concord Academy is celebrating 40 years of educating students in a unique learning environment from 6th-12th grade.
Concord Academy is a special gem in the education arena with a commitment to lead its mission through paving a way where every student, regardless of their differences, is equipped to lead a thriving path, even in their life after Concord.
Cece Palazola (Photo: Memphis Parent)
Cece Palazola joined Concord Academy as executive director in 2019, during what turned out to be one of the most challenging times in education – the COVID-19 pandemic! Palazola and her team wear many hats as a small school, and she has seen her share of roadblocks but has jumped right in to face them because of Concord’s promise to students and families. She works to balance casting the vision for the school alongside day-to-day operations: business, finance, HR, and community relations, to name a few. Palazola is fortunate to have a mighty staff who often work outside of their official roles to ensure the school’s success.
Palazola is charged with ensuring teaching and learning opportunities lead to the success of students with learning differences - academically and socially. “Understanding how individuals learn has always been intriguing to me, and supporting students with learning differences quickly became a passion,” says Palazola. “I started my career as a special education teacher in the Memphis City Schools District, and later developed curriculum to lead learning programs for nonprofit organizations. I feel like I’ve come full circle in this position, combining my leadership experience with what I’ve learned about education into one role.”
Concord embraces a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) culture that is important for teachers and students in their learning environment. Palazola believes that leading with empathy and understanding is key. “Embracing differences opens our minds and hearts to the idea that everyone brings some value to our community,” says Palazola. “Our students help create the culture and we commonly see them advocating for themselves and for each other. In creating a safe and caring learning environment, emotional safety is as important as physical safety. We have a behavior analyst and counselor on staff who assists students and has regular check-ins with teachers to address students’ mental and behavioral health.”
Concord puts student success at the forefront in a unique learning space, setting themselves apart from traditional classrooms. “Our staff is committed to success for every student, and that looks different for each individual child,” says Palazola. “Listening to the student and their family is essential to finding a way to understand their specific needs to create an effective learning plan and support system. It may sound strange, but our students need structure and flexibility at the same time.”
All of Concord’s teachers have a Tennessee educator license with an endorsement in special education. “We serve students with a variety of learning differences and styles, so a one-size-fits-all approach would never work at Concord,” says Palazola. “Each student has a unique history and needs that have not always been well supported in other learning environments. Teachers must know their subject matter and have a deep understanding of how disabilities can affect learning as well.”
Concord is a place where students are encouraged to discover their strengths and find workarounds for the areas where they’re not as confident. This is supported through a structured transition program. “All Concord high school students engage in a curriculum that includes classroom activities, simulations, and real-world experiences designed to prepare them for the transition to life after Concord,” says Palazola. “The process of self-discovery leads to more competence and confidence in our students, helping them understand that a learning difference can sometimes be an asset in a life or work situation.”
Courtney Bowman, a 7-year employee at Concord, began her role as a high school teacher, and later became the transition director. Bowman has a great challenge for ensuring students are not only successful during their years of adolescence, but post-high school and adulthood as well. She is tasked with exposing students to real-life experiences and coordinates events such as college fairs, career exploration, workplace and college tours, internships, and mock job interviews for seniors.
Concord focuses on three key areas of student development: academic, social/emotional, and transition into life after high school. “Our well-trained special education teachers set personalized academic goals for each student and work closely with them toward success in the classroom,” says Bowman. “Our high school transition program teaches students to understand their differences and be a self-advocate. Classes also provide financial literacy, adult-living skills, and etiquette for workplace success.”
A wealth of resources is utilized to equip students during their transition period. Students take a Career Interest Assessment at the beginning of each year to help them see their strengths and get an idea of which careers might be a good fit for them. “All students are required to perform community service as part of the Concord experience,” says Bowman. “We require service hours so that students may develop empathy and leadership skills and see how their actions can have a positive impact.”
Other opportunities offered to students include planning, cooking and cleaning skills (even laundry), pre-ACT, team-building field trips, in-school clubs, and intramural basketball games.
Bowman is not only part of the Concord Academy team but is also a parent of a thriving former student that has excelled in transitioning from high school to adulthood. “I was a Concord parent before I was an employee, and I could not be more grateful for Jake’s experiences here,” says Bowman. “As Jake got older in public school, the differences between him and his grade-level peers became more pronounced. By fifth grade, he was being bullied daily. Enrollment at Concord in sixth grade was immediately different. His classes were very small, and the students were completely accepting. His teachers were able to provide more one-on-one help while holding him accountable for performing to his abilities. I truly believe that a great deal of the success he is experiencing now is because of his time at Concord.”
The Bowman Family (Photo: Courtney Bowman)
Jake Bowman, 2018 graduate, attended Concord Academy in middle and high school. Jake completed TigerLIFE at the University of Memphis in 2020, a diverse program for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, offering a curriculum designed to help young adults succeed in obtaining and maintaining employment and live independently as citizens in Memphis and Shelby County.
Jake has excelled in so many areas, including working at Whitmor, Inc., but he has also overcome large obstacles along the way. “I have Williams Syndrome and have had lots of surgeries,” says Jake. “The hardest one was when I had my spine fused because of scoliosis. It took two surgeries and two weeks at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and it was a painful recovery. I had physical therapy, and it was really hard. I had to learn how to push through the pain because I knew I would never get better if I gave up.”
Jake and his mom attest to how Concord helped shape him into the person he is today. “Concord gave me lots of one-on-one help,” says Jake. “My teachers wanted to learn about me and my disability so they could help me deal with my problems and be successful. At Concord, I learned that not everyone will be a bully and I can trust people to help me.”
Jake shares one of his favorite memories from Concord: “A family friend was stationed in Afghanistan, and they flew a flag over their camp in honor of me on my birthday because of the things I’ve overcome. I didn’t know about it until they came to school the next year and presented it to me in front of everyone. I was so honored, and I keep that flag in a case in my bedroom.”
Student life at Concord for Jake included good and bad days, but he remembers having a lot of fun. “I made some really good friends that I still talk to,” says Jake. “We went on some amazing overnight field trips in high school and did lots of projects in class. I was chosen to greet students who were visiting and show them around, and I loved helping at all our fundraisers.”
When asked about his biggest dream or goal in life, he added “I just want to be happy and independent, and help people as much as I can.”
To learn more about Concord Academy, visit concord-academy.org.