As the landscape of education evolves, more parents are seeking alternatives to traditional schooling. Enter Suewong McFadden, founder of Suewong McFadden Academy (SMA), a unique micro-school designed to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students in a way that large-scale public schools cannot. With a decade of experience in education and a passion for fostering meaningful connections between students and learning, Suewong is on a mission to reshape how we think about education. Her academy opens this fall, promising a curriculum that goes beyond textbooks and standardized testing.
In this Founder to Founder interview, Suewong shares her journey, her educational philosophy, and her vision for the future of education.
From Teacher to Visionary: Suewong’s Educational Journey
Suewong McFadden’s path to founding her micro-school was a long and transformative one. Originally from Bronx, New York, and raised in North Carolina, Suewong always had a love for learning, acting, and writing. After graduating with a degree in theater education, she transitioned into teaching and found herself fully immersed in the education world.
“I didn’t realize how much impact I had on kids at that time,” Suewong shares. “I just loved teaching. I had no personal life—90 days teaching, 90 days working late, and it was like, ‘when are you going to go home?’ And I’m like, ‘This is home.’”
Despite her love for teaching, Suewong felt constrained by the limitations of traditional school systems. High turnover rates among administrators, inadequate resources, and a lack of emotional support for students led her to realize that the best way to make a lasting impact was to step out of the traditional classroom setting.
“I needed to step out of the classroom so I could have a voice,” Suewong explains. After transitioning to administrative roles such as math interventionist and coach, she gained the leadership experience that would ultimately lead her to open her own school.
The Vision Behind Suewong McFadden Academy
SMA is not your typical school. It is a space where students can thrive academically while receiving the emotional support they need to become well-rounded individuals. Suewong emphasizes social-emotional learning (SEL) as the cornerstone of her academy’s curriculum. “I have never seen kids so detached from education,” Suewong states. She believes SEL is critical to helping students form meaningful connections with both their peers and teachers, an area where larger schools often fall short due to high teacher turnover.
At SMA, students engage in a high-quality curriculum that balances traditional core subjects like math, reading, and writing with innovative STEM activities, multicultural education, and American Sign Language. The focus is not only on academic growth but also on nurturing each child’s emotional and social well-being.
Flexible Learning That Meets Individual Needs
One of the key aspects of SMA is its flexibility. Suewong offers a customized learning schedule designed to accommodate students from different backgrounds and learning styles. The academy uses programs like Eureka Math and Letterland to ensure students grasp fundamental concepts, while also incorporating STEM projects and morning bins to engage students’ critical thinking skills from the moment they walk through the door.
In addition to core academic subjects, Suewong’s academy offers electives such as American Sign Language and French or German for older students, recognizing the importance of cultural diversity in a child’s education. Her goal is to make learning enjoyable and relevant, fostering a love for education that students can carry with them throughout their lives.
Empowering Parents with ESA Funding
Suewong is also helping families navigate the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, a game-changer for many Arizona families. This state-funded program provides up to $7,000 per child to cover alternative education costs, including tuition for micro-schools like SMA. “ESA is a blessing,” Suewong says, noting that the process can be time-consuming but worth it for families seeking better educational opportunities for their children.
Why Micro-Schools Are the Future of Education
In a system where public schools often fail to meet the individual needs of students, micro-schools like Suewong McFadden Academy offer a solution. “I realized I can do more,” Suewong reflects. Her academy is proof that when educators have the freedom to design their own learning environments, students can thrive both academically and emotionally.
For parents struggling to find the right fit for their children, Suewong advises, “Research your options. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and most importantly, find a school that best fits your child’s needs.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for SMA?
Suewong is not stopping with just academics. She is creating a vibrant community where learning is fun, engaging, and deeply connected to real-world experiences. From exciting field trips to theater projects and multicultural events, SMA is a school where opportunities for growth are truly limitless.
“Opportunities are there,” Suewong concludes, “and I’m here to help students take full advantage of them.”
Final Thoughts: A New Era in Education
Suewong McFadden’s passion for education is contagious. With her academy set to open this fall, she is poised to make a significant impact on Arizona’s educational landscape. Parents looking for an alternative to traditional schooling would be wise to explore what Suewong McFadden Academy has to offer.
For more information about Suewong McFadden Academy, visit www.smacademy.org or contact Suewong directly at the website.
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