The Master

Steve Dearing is a perfectionist, and a master craftsman.

Steve taught Woodworking at DeLaSalle in the early 1990s.

He was great with our students, and taught them the finer details of woodworking as well as how to also craft their lives.

While at DeLaSalle, Steve met his future wife, Melanie Schreiber, one of our outstanding teachers.

I caught up today with Steve, and learned that Melanie is still home schooling the last of their five children. Steve is still in the woodworking business, and concentrating on adding fine wood finishes to homes in Kansas City.

Steve is as passionate as ever about helping others. He is a youth minister in his church, and still wants to change the world. Blessings, Steve and Melanie!

DeLaSalle to Operate a Charter School!

DeLaSalle's application to operate a charter school for the 2010-11 school year was found to be in full compliance with state law today after final review by the Missouri State Board of Education.

The Charter is being sponsored by UMKC, represented by Dr. Steve McClure (right in photo at left). Joining Steve and me after the historic vote was the State Director of Charter Schools, Jocelyn Strand.

We are thrilled with this outstanding accomplishment!

House for Sale

Two days ago, we listed for sale the house we have lived in for over 22 years.

When we moved here in 1987, the house was just big enough for our four children and two dogs.

Now, our children are gone and Karol and I have too much room for just us and two different dogs.

If you're interested, it's in a great neighborhood and close to three parks.

We leave behind a lot of memories.

Announcement of New DLS Executive Director

DeLaSalle Board President, Gary Ballard (standing in picture at left), announced the selection today of the new Executive Director of DeLaSalle Education Center.
The announcement will be announced to the public in a few more days. I'll try to give you a sneak preview in advance of that announcement!
I'm very excited with the selection, and look forward to preparing for the transition which will begin on June 14, 2010. Following a week of meetings with the new director, I will transition to my new duties as Director of Sustainability on June 21, 2010.
Stay tuned for more information soon!

My New Barber

You may have noticed my new haircut in recent photos of me on this Blog.

That haircut was given me by DeLaSalle graduate, Tiffany Jones, class of 1996, who works at a new barbershop at 3402 Troost, called Barbershop 67, owned by Craig Carlock.

In the photo at left, Tiffany is cutting the hair of a customer. Good work, Tiffany!

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Capital Campaign Progress!

The DeLaSalle Capital Campaign is making great fundraising progress!
Campaign Chairman, Charlie Schellhorn (left in photo at left) met recently with former DeLaSalle Board President, Tom Deacy (center) and me to plan spring fundraising calls for the campaign.

Our First Middle School

In 1995, DeLaSalle established a middle school serving students within a consortium of nine suburban public school districts.

The New Learning Community School (NCLS) achieved outstanding success under DeLaSalle's management. NCLS was one of seventy (70) alternative schools established locally and nationally by DeLaSalle from 1990 to 1995.

DeLaSalle ran another middle school from 2000 to 2006 under a contract with the Kansas City School District.

Hopefully, DeLaSalle will be able to establish someday its own middle school, as the middle school years are the period when many students begin to lose interest in school, and become vulnerable to school failure.