Marva Collins' journey as a teacher began in the 1960s, when she was assigned to teach at a public school in Chicago. At the time, the school was troubled by low academic standards and misbehavior of the students. Despite these challenges. Collins was determined to help those students labeled as "difficult" or "at-risk". Believing that every student had the potential to learn and succeed, she set out to create a classroom environment that would foster a love of learning, a sense of discipline, and a belief in oneself.
Collin s first established a rigorous academic curriculum that would challenge her students to reach their full potential. She taught her students traditional subjects and also emphasized critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Her teaching methods were highly effective, and students soon began to show remarkable progress.
But Collins' greatest achievement was the founding of the Westside Pre p School, which she started in 1975. The school provided a safe and nurturing environment where students could thrive academically and socially and therefore it was considered as the "have n for learning".
At the Prep School. Collin s stressed the importance of discipline and hard work. She expected her students to arrive on time, in uniform, and ready to learn, and she installed in them a sense of responsibility and accountability. Collin s also emphasized the importance of building relationships between teachers and students. She believed that strong relationships were the foundation of effective teaching, are she encouraged her teachers to personalize their instruction based on the students' individual differences.
Under her leadership, the Pre p School became known for its high academic standards and its ability to help struggling students. Many of the school's graduates went on to attend top colleges and universities, and some went on to become leaders in their fields.
Collins' impact on education was recognized by educators around the world. Today, her legacy lives on. Her emphasis on discipline, hard work, and relationships continues to be a model for effective teaching, and her belief in the potential of every student continues to inspire educators to make a difference in the lives of the at-risk students.
