'Big Picture' Takes a Look at SD Met

Jill Badger, left, Supt.
Bill Kowba, Kristopher
Johnson-LeCense, Ashley Elder,
Principal Mildred Phillips,
Elliot Washor.

The innovative San Diego Met high school at San Diego Mesa College was in the viewfinder when national education advocates Big Picture Learning held its conference in San Diego.

Current and former Met students talked with more than 60 principals from around North America about the difference that the Met programs have made in their lives.
Superintendent Bill Kowba and Principal Mildred Phillips welcomed the conference to San Diego.

Class of 2008 members Ashley Elder and Kristopher Johnson-LaCense discussed how the school's internship programs had better prepared them for San Diego State University; they're both schedule to graduate in May.

"The Big Picture Principal's conference to me was similar to a 'coming home' moment," said Elder. "I feel as though it is the obligation of those of us who are now living the Big Picture motto 'One student at a time' to letother educators and students see how much this program has done for me. I felt honored to share my experiences with these educators, and hopefully the next generation will be as proud as I am to be a graduate of the Met program."

Big Picture Learning is an organization that encourages "innovative, personalized schools that work in tandem with the real world of the greater community." The Met opened in 2004 and follows the organization's philosophy. The school creates a structure so students can become self-motivated, competent life-long learners.

For more information, contact Phillips at (619) 388-2299.