Rural Routes and Dirt Roads: Every Child Deserves a Quality Education
Written By: Roy Maynard
WAUCHULA, Fla.—It wasn’t even about the kids—at least, not at first. Julie Taylor began planning the Alane Academy in tiny Wauchula, Florida because she felt unfulfilled as a teacher.
“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I was—I was a public school teacher for seven years,” the head of the 75-student rural school deep in the Florida citrus fields explained. “And I met wonderful people there. But I realized that while I loved the students, teachers and schools, everyone’s hands are tied by someone. I was already having to do some things in my classroom, don’t believe in—testing, for example. You say you won’t teach to the test, but you always do.”
Seeking a better career fit, but not wanting to move away from her hometown, Julie began planning her school on the back of a napkin in a Fort Meade restaurant. Planning would last two years; she opened her school 12 years ago.