When teacher Audrey Fann’s fiancé visited the campus of LFSCSA, he was peppered with questions like: “Do you love Ms. Fann?” “Why do you love her?” and “Are you sure you love her?” “The kids grilled him,” she laughs, recalling the encounter. “They were really checking him out!” Ms. Fann witnesses this spirit of inquiry everyday in her first grade classroom. The contrast with her previous stint at an LAUSD public school is palpable: “The environment is warm and welcoming, the kids are happy, and they’re really hungry to learn.”
Ms. Fann’s path to Los Feliz Arts was indirect. Before obtaining her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Ms. Fann was offered a job she couldn’t refuse: doing public relations for the hair care company where her mother is Vice President of Legal and Insurance Affairs. Two years of globe trotting and rubbing elbows with celebrities left her with an even bigger prize—a husband-to-be, who was a member of a rock band coiffed with her firm’s products.
After completing her studies at Grand Canyon, Ms. Fann was hired by Columbus Avenue School in Van Nuys. Three years later, while still working on her master’s degree, she was hired to write the kindergarten curriculum for LFCSA’s original charter application. She realized that the fledgling school might offer a refreshing change. “The way we were teaching didn’t allow us to be creative. What excited me was that the [LFCSA] Charter was child-centered—it valued the children for who they are and for their differences.”
A meeting with LFCSA’s Principal Karin Newlin convinced her to make the jump: “I felt like I was home, even though educationally it was nothing I’d ever heard of.” Principal Newlin recalls: “I knew she was getting her masters’ and could tell she was a natural leader-she could be a principal someday. She takes a lot on and does everything it takes to get it done. “
Ms. Fann knows she made a good decision to become one of LFCSA’s founding first grade teachers. “We get so much support—everything from the administration is positive. The parents are so actively involved. That makes a world of difference.” As to the children, she reflects, “They’re learning to work collaboratively and developing self-confidence. They’re comfortable with where they are with their learning.”
Originally from Prescott, Arizona, Ms. Fann remains close to her family. Both of her parents are trusted advisors on big decisions. In fact, when Principal Newlin made her an offer, even acknowledging the risk of unemployment if LFCSA’s Charter was not approved, both parents said, “Go for it!”
The leap of faith has paid off for her and her students. For her masters’ degree, she did a study comparing LAUSD’s Open Court reading program with LFCSA’s methodology. Through her research, and supported by her own in-class experience, Ms. Fann realized that learning goes beyond mechanics. “We’re motivating and engaging readers for lifelong learning. My kids tell me, ‘Miss Fann, I love reading!’ In 20 years they’ll remember how much they loved reading. And every single kid is reading-at their own level-but they’re all reading.”
Ms. Fann knows first-hand, that being part of a start-up school is exhausting, but exhilarating, and not without its frustrations. “When I believe in something, I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.” Her schedule is jammed: in addition to teaching, in April 2007, she received her masters’ degree with an emphasis on reading and literacy, and she is moving headlong into her June 2nd nuptials. “I take a lot of naps,” she admits. Ms. Fann also works out her creative side with extra-curricular ballet and jazz classes.
Ms. Fann has come to rely on the school community, staff, administration, UES mentors, LFCSA parents, and most of all, the children to recharge her batteries. “The parents and administration back me 100%, and the kids are amazing. I can look at them and see who’s going to be a movie producer, who’s going to write a book, who’ll invent computer software.” And Ms. Fann’s students just might someday look back and remember their first grade teacher’s words some 20 years ago telling them to “Go for it!”
