Field Report

Ed. S Student: LaTonya Darling-Cole

Mentor: Principal Adam Scher

Way Elementary School

School District: Bloomfield Hills

School: Way Elementary School (Grades K-4th)
School Contact Information : 765 West Long Lake Road
Main: 248.341.7800
Attendance: 248.341.7810

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

School Website: https://www.bloomfield.org/way-elementary-schools

Name of Mentor: Adam Scher, School Principal
Brief Duty Responsibilities:

Principal Adam Scher serves as the leader of Way Elementary School in the
capacity that is required of a school administrator.
It has been observed that Principal Scher has demonstrated leadership skills in
motivating his staff and students to strive for superior performance in student
academic growth and development. He also leads in carrying out the theory
and understandings of Visible Thinking. Principal Scher facilitates our weekly
staff meetings, handles different disciplinary situations amongst students,
meets with parents on all levels, and creates a climate hospitable to education
as well as cultivating leadership amongst his staff.
School Environment: Way Elementary is located in a diverse community in
Bloomfield Hills. Ways population consists of 429 students in grades
kindergarten through fourth grade. In efforts to keep our school safe and have
students demonstrate respect for one another, Way focuses on practicing
P.R.I.D.E within our building and classrooms. P.R.I.D.E entails students
learning the importance of Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Disciplined,
and Empathy.

Principal Schers Welcome Message

(which is located on Ways web page)

https://www.bloomfield.org/way-elementary-schools

While giving school tours, I am frequently asked, "Why Way?". It's a fair question, but one without a simple answer
as I'm a believer in all of our elementary schools. But in answering the question, it truly boils down to 3 distinct
attributes: philosophy, instruction, and the people.
Our progressive philosophy concerns the whole child. We understand that if there is an emotional or social struggle
for a child, there will be a diminished learning experience. That is why we painstakingly research the materials we
use to find the most effective ones to address the students' social, emotional and intellectual needs.
We provide a rich learning experience for our students via our Visible Thinking framework. While it's true that the
curriculum is the exact same for every public school in the state of Michigan, the instructional approach and the
delivery of the curriculum can vary from district to district, building to building, and even room to room. Using Visible
Thinking as our instructional approach, our teachers facilitate the engagement, understanding, and independence for
all learners. All students are encouraged to share their thinking and our methodology demands active participation.
The thinking skills we impart to our students effectively prepare them for the conceptual age in which they will live.
Just as there's a difference between a house and a home, there's a difference between a school and a community.
The difference is the people in the building, and that is ultimately the answer to the original question. Why Way?
Because of its dedicated and caring staff of educators, front-office personnel and custodians, to a supportive PTO
and a collection of volunteers. That's Why Way!
Come experience Way for yourself. This is where your child's story begins.
Adam Scher