ARCH Micro-School Leader (Now an Administrator position)

I am Mrs. Wells, and I am so excited to be the Micro School leader of the ARCH program.  

I'm a 2nd generation Educator from Chicago, Illinois. I have over three decades of teaching experience in Science. I've taught Biology, AP Biology, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Integrated Science, and one year of middle school Science.

My education is as follows: B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership. I am also trained in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies. 

As you see, I love to teach AND learn. I believe that EVERYONE can learn, and I encourage everyone to learn something new and useful every single day. 

I am a mom of 4 adult children. One of my sons attended junior college and trade school, one of my sons attended a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). One of my sons is a sergeant the United States Army - year 6, and my youngest (my only daughter) is a senior and a collegiate athlete (volleyball) at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. I have been where you are now.

Here are thoughts that were on my mind at the time of choosing the best post high school experience for my daughter - my BABY girl, the last to leave the nest.

1. Which college/university is best for her career-wise, socially, emotionally, and culturally? 

2. As a collegiate athlete, will she have a support system in place when her workload and sports schedule get tough?

3. How will she manage so far away from home without me there as her main support system?

4. Is she mentally and emotionally prepared for this experience? 

5. Would she have a better experience at a Liberal Arts College? A major University? An HBCU? Military?? (She doesn't like people telling her what to do)

6. If she chose a non-military option, how can we afford this without taking out loans?

 These questions were going on in my mind while consistently receiving phone calls and emails from recruiters interested in her as a student athlete. The pressure was insane. She decided that the Air Force Academy was a unique opportunity that would help her succeed in life, and I agreed. I then went from being " that mom" - always there by her side, guiding her every step of the way, to "peripheral support", watching from 500 miles away, through a worldwide pandemic.

As a parent/guardian, we want the best for our children. We want our children to have a better chance at life than we had. We have been tasked to do what is best for a person that we are responsible for - that DID NOT come with a handbook, and here we are, doing what we can. 

Here at ARCH, we will help you and your student navigate through the murky waters of college applications, entrance exams, college visits, FASFA, college essays, interviews, scholarship opportunities, and changing trends in post-secondary Education. 

Ultimately, final decisions will be made by you, the parent/family, and your student, but here at ARCH, we can be a strong support system for you, providing encouragement, listing opportunities, and answering questions if we are able. All we ask is that you support your student by taking him/her to events that will help in decision making, participate in a few meetings throughout the year so that you are fully aware of the trajectory that your student is on, and to please do your own research about life after high school for your student. There will be many colleges/universities looking at your student, but you should be looking at them as well. 

Together, we will victoriously conquer this task. 

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to meeting with each student and their families throughout this journey. 

Cami Wells - ARCH Micro School Leader: cwells@phoenixunion.org