Dedicated to Excellence
Chad A. Parker, MSSW, LMSW, LPC
Executive Vice President Tupelo Children’s Mansion
Tupelo Children’s Mansion has been serving children in need for 68 years. Nearly 4,000 children have come from a large spectrum of broken and disadvantaged backgrounds in those 68 years. While in our care, these children will find love, support, hope, stability, and a Savior. Many changes in our world have taken place in the last 68 years, but TCM has been there through it all thanks to our faithful and generous sponsors.
Almost everyone is aware of the residential aspect of our program, but we find many are shocked when touring our campus to see that TCM also provides for the educational needs of the children. On the forty-acre campus, Tupelo Children’s Mansion Academy (TCMA) spans across three of the twenty-seven buildings with classrooms covering grades K-3 through 12. The school includes a computer lab, library, and science lab. The children we serve often come with deficits in their learning, and our teachers are dedicated to providing them an education in which they can thrive. Many times, the children will come behind but will leave functioning at grade level. Our team of educators is truly dedicated to excellence.
In this setting, our teachers know that their students are likely to change frequently throughout the year. As children come and go, the teachers make the transitions as seamless as possible to ensure success for their students. Another challenge they may face is the expected behavioral struggles of some of the children. Our teachers work hard to use current evidence-based practices in managing classroom behavior while helping the children stay on task. Of course, TCMA is a vital component of our interdisciplinary team meetings and the processing of placement applications. In addition to an emphasis on education, character training is of high importance.
Children at TCMA receive their basic education using a mixture of Abeka and other proven curricula. TCMA strives to offer our junior high and high school students electives that they will enjoy. Students take required classes in English, math, history, and science, along with electives such as music, art, psychology, life skills, and computer science. A special emphasis is placed on preparing for the ACT College Entrance Exam and preparation for life after high school. This includes a special partnership with a local community college to offer dual-credit classes. TCMA has been blessed with numerous amazing and faithful teachers over the years. As fall approaches and school resumes, we honor our teachers and applaud their service.
If you feel a desire to make a lasting impact on the children at TCMA, we are always accepting applications for qualified teachers. Email your resume with a letter of interest to ermajudd@mansionkids.org. #LoveWorks