Listen here to learn more about Chance to Soar and how we make an impact daily in the lives of educators.
Give this podcast a listen to hear all the things Chance to Soar does to support educators, principals and schools! In this episode, Marsha Clark talks with Dr. Andra Barton and Aletha Scheck, co-founders of Chance to Soar, share how we can all support education!
The Story of Chance to Soar
Dr. Andra Barton and Mrs. Aletha Scheck came together in a professional setting many years ago. The like-minded duo connected at a critical time for the future of the school in which they both worked. In a capacity to affect organizational change, they began to witness first-hand how investing in educators created a positive shift in mindset around school climate and culture. Creating a student focused environment and being intentional about equipping the teachers that are part of that environment, had a tremendous positive impact on the school as a whole. And so it began.
Dr. Barton and Mrs. Scheck continued to work together all-the-while making observations and having conversations about the fact that educators were struggling to perform their task well. As they continued to work professionally in various schools, they witnessed time and time again that CULTURE in the school building is CRITICAL. They recognized that the CULTURE and the MINDSET of a teacher is CRITICAL. And most importantly, they ascertained that the culture of a school (or lack thereof) can have profound impact on an educator both personally and professionally.
Borne out of these observations and conversations, Chance to Soar emerged. Andra and Aletha knew that something had to be done about the countless educators struggling with the notion of work/family life-balance as well as unclear systems and expectations. Simply put, there was (and is) a gap in the industry when it comes to educating the educators who ultimately educate the next generation of kids.
All too often, teachers are loaded up with teacher training tips, classroom management techniques and new ways to teach subject material. While necessary, the end result is a one-sided, unbalanced equation. Dr. Barton and Mrs. Scheck began asking, Who is looking out for the teachers’ well-being? Who is focusing on mental-health as priority ONE for educators?
And just like that - Andra and Aletha knew they had to DO something. The HAD to make a change in the status quo. With years of educational industry experience propelling them forward and their vision fueling their desire, they decided to TAKE A CHANCE! They were determined to start an organization which would address the gap they recognized in the educational community. A gap between what is happening and what should happen.
Taking their vision a step further, Andra and Aletha decided to intentionally form their organization as a non-profit. A 501c3. That way, as a non-profit, Chance to Soar is able to pour back the grants and foundation money they receive into the educational community.
In this endeavor, they seek educators, schools and students that exemplify TAKING A CHANCE. While Andra and Aletha are happiest when they are mentoring an educational staff, nothing compares to granting a “chance” to an educator or student willing to TAKE THAT CHANCE!
To date, thousands of educators and students have been impacted by the work created. The work of Chance to Soar will impact generations to come!
Our Vision and Mission
Chance to Soar ignites the power of the educational community to transform the impact it has on students. The mission of Chance to Soar is to inspire and equip schools to create a culture of education that produces inquisitive students who seek to embrace possibility without boundaries in order to achieve their goals.
Chance to Soar exists to bring inspirational strategies and programs to educators with the goal of developing healthy mental health habits and attitudes. We believe that the ripple effect of each and every teaching staff that hears our message and begins to implement our strategies will have an enormous impact on educational culture and climate.
Our best referrals are our customers! Click here to hear what educators are saying about Chance to Soar!
A Note from Andra and Aletha-
“At Chance to Soar we encourage TAKING A CHANCE. Whether it is a member of our staff wanting to learn a new skill, a school wanting to share a creative experience with families over the summer, a passionate student needing the mentorship and resources to ‘think big’, an educator feeling lost in a sea of long hours and endless meetings or a principal with an idea to ‘do it differently.’
The magic is in making that chance a reality. Sometimes it’s a new perspective. Sometimes it’s learning a new skill. Sometimes it is putting what you know into practice. BUT ALWAYS it is about taking that chance. Taking that opportunity.
We have the honor of mentoring thousands of educators in schools from K - 12. We have seen first hand the challenges and opportunities that educators face. Today more than ever we need to reframe the ‘chance’ in front of the educational community. The ‘chance’ we have to make a difference in the lives of students today is more important than ever.
Chance to Soar exists to bring inspirational strategies and programs to educators with the goal of developing healthy mental health habits and attitudes. It is through this lens that we help others SEE THAT CHANCE. We believe that the ripple effect of each and every teaching staff that hears our message and begins to implement our strategies will have an enormous impact on educational culture and climate and ultimately the students they serve.”
Where did Chance to Soar get the clever idea on a name for the non-profit?
We often get asked about our name - Chance to Soar. We are pretty proud of our name - Chance to Soar - as we believe it perfectly encapsulates what we do, why we exist and what we bring to the table as seasoned industry professionals.
As former educators and school administrators we are always on the lookout for a good book! A passion we are certain any life-long learner can identify with. Right? Whether it’s to pass the time on a rainy day, prep for our next presentation OR something a little lighter, we are always willing to pause for stories told on the pages of a good book.
Co-founder, Dr. Andra Barton, gave the book What Do You Do with a Chance? to her colleague and co-founder, Mrs. Aletha Scheck. What Do You Do with a Chance is the story of a little boy who notices a ‘chance’ come into his life. He reaches out to grab it but stumbles. Feeling embarrassed, he becomes more hesitant as other ‘chances’ come along. As he watches his chances come and go, he notices that they become fewer and fewer, so he decides that the next time a chance comes along he WILL find the bravery needed to reach out and grab it. The chance that comes to him next is a big one, he reaches out, grabs on and sets off on his magical journey. He says, “It felt so good to soar, to fly, to be free!” The author does a great job of leaving the ‘chance’ as undefined, so it could be anything. It could be anyone.
This book played an inspirational role in our organization's name, but also it is the spirit that we want to pass on to educators, administrators and students of all ages - you never know where an opportunity will lead, but it will always lead somewhere if you are BRAVE enough to take the journey and find out. We like to say BE BOLD. BE BRAVE. We believe the world is full of limitless possibilities for those who are willing to take a chance.
Dr. Barton is Co-founder and Executive Director of Chance to Soar where she commits herself to providing every opportunity for students of all ages to find success.
Dr. Barton believes in the power of strategic planning and research-driven decision making to transform school culture and create opportunities for students to grow academically and emotionally. She also knows there is unlimited potential within all students that can be unlocked and ignited by teaching goal setting practices and creating an engaging learning environment that assists students in achieving those goals.
Dr. Barton has set the vision, aligned curriculum, and led others as a principal in public, faith-based, and International Baccalaureate schools where her high expectations of students and faculty resulted in increased academic growth for students and accolades for the staff from accrediting and certifying educational bodies. In 2008, Dr. Barton’s commitment to educational excellence was recognized when she was named a finalist for National Distinguished Principal of the Year. She has also served in leadership roles for non-profit organizations raising funds, writing curriculum, and creating educational opportunities for low-income families.
Dr. Barton holds a Master of Education from Texas Christian University and a Doctorate of Education Administration from Baylor University.
Mrs. Scheck is Co-founder of Chance to Soar and a dedicated lifelong educator who is committed to creating programs and identifying systems that assist educators in overcoming common challenges such as work/life balance, stress management, student engagement and career motivation.
Mrs. Scheck knows that the best way to turn a child into a life-long learner is to create an environment where students feel like they are an important part of the world they live in, are inspired to ask big questions, and equipped to go looking for answers. Conversely, Aletha also knows that for educators to create such environments, they need the proper tools, support and resources allowing them to flourish without exhausting their emotional and physical energy to make it happen.
Mrs. Scheck has worked with students of all ages in Christian and International Baccalaureate schools. She has served as a leader throughout her career as a director of programs, curriculum writer, teacher mentor, and professional development planner. For Chance to Soar as well as her business, Curious Classroom Adventures, Aletha develops proprietary content, lesson plans, rubrics, systems and educational tools to assist teachers. Mrs. Scheck’s work not only benefits educators but the students and districts/communities they serve.
Mrs. Scheck is a certified trainer for Thinking Maps, Write from the Beginning and a Lumina Spark trainer. She commits herself to implementing best-practice, research-driven teaching strategies into her curriculum materials, resources and the educational community at large. With that commitment in mind, she designs and sells highly rated lesson plans and resources online through Teachers Pay Teachers.
Mrs. Scheck holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Akron.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE CREATOR & COACH | BLOGGER | NON-PROFIT FOUNDER | SMALL BUSINESS OWNER | SYSTEMS-THAT-CREATE-HABITS ARCHITECT