Vector Progressive School

a bright spot for bright kids...

Our Flight Crew

Any genuine teaching will result, if successful, in someone's knowing how to bring about a better condition of things than existed earlier.
John Dewey
DR. AMY RUSHNECK (PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: We have used these flight metaphors throughout our entire school concept, as our experiences over the last 40 years in working with gifted and talented kids have shown us time and again that the hardest part of this journey together is to challenge the unknown, to snap the tethers placed upon us, and to take risks in learning that confound what we thought to be true. This is progressive education - the opportunity to question, to discover, to do differently, to experience... to fly. "For once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." (Leonardo da Vinci)
DR. AMY RUSHNECK (PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: We have used these flight metaphors throughout our entire school concept, as our experiences over the last 40 years in working with gifted and talented kids have shown us time and again that the hardest part of this journey together is to challenge the unknown, to snap the tethers placed upon us, and to take risks in learning that confound what we thought to be true. This is progressive education - the opportunity to question, to discover, to do differently, to experience... to fly. "For once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." (Leonardo da Vinci)
KELLY DUDLEY (MSW, LSW, Indiana University) - COMMUNITY LIAISON/ADMISSIONS: I believe that relationships and a sense of community are fundamental in supporting a student’s learning and sense of self. While each student is unique in their learning needs so are the ways to teach and support them. Having a team of people ready to support, encourage and guide is important in giving each student the space to feel confident in themselves and their ability to learn.
KELLY DUDLEY (MSW, LSW, Indiana University) - COMMUNITY LIAISON/ADMISSIONS: I believe that relationships and a sense of community are fundamental in supporting a student’s learning and sense of self. While each student is unique in their learning needs so are the ways to teach and support them. Having a team of people ready to support, encourage and guide is important in giving each student the space to feel confident in themselves and their ability to learn.
BEN SATTELBERG (completing PhD, Colorado State University) - COMPUTER SCIENCES: I believe that the essence of learning lies in striving to solve problems at the intersection of challenge, meaning, and passion. Students should have a great deal of choice in their learning - their curiosity and what they find meaningful must drive their consumption of content. The teacher's role is to serve as a guide and safety net while pushing for the optimal match between student and problem and passion.
BEN SATTELBERG (completing PhD, Colorado State University) - COMPUTER SCIENCES: I believe that the essence of learning lies in striving to solve problems at the intersection of challenge, meaning, and passion. Students should have a great deal of choice in their learning - their curiosity and what they find meaningful must drive their consumption of content. The teacher's role is to serve as a guide and safety net while pushing for the optimal match between student and problem and passion.
SADIE SEDDON-STETTLER (BS Astronomy & Astrophysics/BA Physics, University of Chicago) - STEM: I strive to bring my experiences in physics research into the classroom, and emphasize that science is always conducted in a larger societal context. It is vital that every student is provided with an environment where they can grow their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Every question is an opportunity for learning, and it is my goal as a teacher to encourage students’ curiosity and challenge them to go further.
SADIE SEDDON-STETTLER (BS Astronomy & Astrophysics/BA Physics, University of Chicago) - STEM: I strive to bring my experiences in physics research into the classroom, and emphasize that science is always conducted in a larger societal context. It is vital that every student is provided with an environment where they can grow their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Every question is an opportunity for learning, and it is my goal as a teacher to encourage students’ curiosity and challenge them to go further.
EMALINE GOTTHOFFER - THE ARTS: Every student is unique, with their own goals and path through life, so learning the same thing will serve them all differently. Everything we learn has value; it changes our minds irreversibly, adding new neural pathways and altering the way we view the world. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom, it is my goal to help each student find what they love to learn and how my class can intersect with their true passion.
EMALINE GOTTHOFFER - THE ARTS: Every student is unique, with their own goals and path through life, so learning the same thing will serve them all differently. Everything we learn has value; it changes our minds irreversibly, adding new neural pathways and altering the way we view the world. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom, it is my goal to help each student find what they love to learn and how my class can intersect with their true passion.
DAVID McCULLOUGH - EXPERIENTIAL SUPPORT COACH: My goal is to provide an enriching experience to all students both as a teacher and a leader; an experiential and rich learning environment that will develop an individual and engage the whole kid. Through personal goal setting and data tracking, each student will visually see their own growth. Rita Pierson encompasses the type of educator I strive to be with her quote, “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”
DAVID McCULLOUGH - EXPERIENTIAL SUPPORT COACH: My goal is to provide an enriching experience to all students both as a teacher and a leader; an experiential and rich learning environment that will develop an individual and engage the whole kid. Through personal goal setting and data tracking, each student will visually see their own growth. Rita Pierson encompasses the type of educator I strive to be with her quote, “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”
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A Word from Our Captain:

We couldn’t be happier that you are deciding if Vector is the right fit for you! We are thrilled to have opened the dream of a lifetime in applying everything we know and have done over the past 40 years in our curricular design, pedagogical practice, socioemotional supports, and daily methodology, into the full academic year. Our families have been asking us to open this school for 15 years and we always said only when it is the right time, we understand our best place, and we can execute to our very best ability. The time is now. The place is here. We’re ready. C’mon home.