School Leadership

There are so many fast learners in schools, about 10% of any school and up to 20% in some schools, that we knew that we could not serve the needs by ourselves. The most successful system is licensing. We have a Code of Conduct and a support system for training and networking to learn more and share expertise.

WiseOnes Education Managers have to meet very strict criteria. One can’t go around operating a WiseOnes business and be unwise. All Education Managers are registered and well qualified teachers with leadership experience and interests outside education as well.. Of course they have a clear Police check and we do extensive investigation of their background. School Principals can be assured that these people are very safe and reliable. They are also sensitive to the school environment and the roles of people on staff. Principals find us a good “ear”.

Education Managers are the people who organise the program in the schools. We make it very easy and inexpensive to implement. Education Managers may or may not be the ones who teach these small groups of fast learners for their special needs each week. However all contract teachers have to satisfy the same strict criteria as the Managers. Contract teachers sign a contract with an Education Manager to deliver the special needs curriculum for 8 lessons per term at certain schools. All of them, Education Managers and contract teachers, have to attend a Professional Development meeting each quarter to learn more about fast learners and giftedness. Some have qualifications in this area already.

They also attend the WiseOnes Annual Conference where we have outside specialist speakers on relevant topics.

Unfortunately the end cost is to the parents, as there is no government funding and school budgets cannot cope with the costs of such small groups and such unique curriculum.

WiseOnes provides a scholarship at each school so the most needy do not miss out. This is because the Founder of the organization received two scholarships that meant she could complete secondary education when no-one else from her school did or could. She is very grateful for what someone else gave her a long time ago and she wants to make sure other poor children get an opportunity to succeed. WiseOnes has provided scholarship services valued at more than $250,000 since inception and that is out of the pockets of the Directors and Education Managers, not by building it into the fee structure.

We are a highly collegial and ethical organization. Very few schools get sponsorship from outside sources but Rotary and banks have sometimes assisted the schools who asked them.