Courtney Bosma - Founder and Director of Alliance of Redeemed Kids Academy
I’m originally from Fairmont, MN and have been officially in education for 25 years, although I have been playing school since I was 6 years old. I would spend hours playing school with friends or with my stuffed animals and barbies! My high school and college years consisted of teaching an in-house preschool. I obtained my Master’s degree in K-12 Special Education in the areas of Learning Disabilities and Emotional/Behavior Disorders with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I have taught children in grades K-12 throughout my career. I take pride in being a life-long learner! I moved to Pipestone County in 2019 and taught in both the public and private sector. I have also taught in programs for chemically dependent teens and high level behavioral programs prior to moving to this area! I have held leadership positions, such as an Instructional Coach, Lead Teacher, Lead for Professional Learning Communities, and Special Education Assessment Teacher Lead. My intention for sharing this background is for you to know - I was dedicated while working in traditional school. I was invested in child success during that season of life. Eventually, God changed my heart, and I began envisioning a school with all my hopes and dreams for children’s needs to be seen and met in a different avenue.
My years spent in traditional schools were precious, but truth be told, my heart has longed for more. I believe children should be given opportunities to learn authentically, naturally, and without limitations at their ability level and at their pace. I have also witnessed so many students struggle, whose needs go unmet in the traditional classroom setting for various reasons. My heart has always been touched by these situations. I realized I could no longer fit inside a box. God has called ARK Academy to be a vast mission field where learning goes far beyond mandates, assessments and standardized learning. ARK is a safe learning environment where differences are embraced, moments are filled with laughter and children want to come to school and never leave! When school, home and community work together, I do an incredible job of preparing children to be life-long learners, while also having productive and fulfilling lives. Children feel safe, seen, heard and cared for when there is a positive partnership between teachers and parents/guardians. With strong lines of communication and anchored relationships, students have increased participation, confidence and higher levels of achievement.