Asheville, NC -- Solstice East, a residential treatment center for teen girls ages 14-17 in North Carolina, is excited to announce that they have appointed Carol Sowers, M.Ed., to Academic Director. After three years as a History teacher and Department Head at Solstice East, Carol has demonstrated valuable skills in connecting with students using interactive teaching methods.
As Academic Director, Carol will lead an esteemed on-campus educational staff and oversee teacher-led classrooms where students receive high school course instruction for credit. She will work closely with members of the treatment team to develop individualized learning plans for each student based on their academic and therapeutic needs. At Solstice East, the academic program operates year-round, offering five instructional terms during a calendar year in which students can earn full quarter class credits each term. Purposely kept small; the average class size is around six students.
"I am honored to take on this new role as Academic Director of Solstice East's private on-campus academy, and I'm excited about the challenges ahead," says Carol Sowers. "Through my background in the classroom and as an administrator, I know I have the tools I need to provide the best possible academic environment for our students and guide my fellow teachers to new heights."
Carol has a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master's of Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from Mary Washington College in Virginia. Before teaching at Solstice East, Carol taught IB History and was an Assistant Principal at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Washington, D.C. Her broad educational experience - from having taught ESL and IB history, serving as a dorm parent, and working as an autism paraprofessional, have informed her educational philosophy and strengthened her love of education.
"Carol has been working with Solstice East students for over three years, and knows our program intimately," reflects Solstice East Executive Director Rick Pollard. "We are grateful for her expertise and look forward to her continued insight and guidance in our academic program."
With small classes and passionate teachers, Solstice East's fully accredited academic program features a competitive college preparatory curriculum designed to inspire a diverse student population. Solstice East, located just 20 minutes north of Asheville, NC, offers a full range of core classes, from special education to honors-level courses, to accommodate all learning styles and needs. The academic program is fully integrated into a therapeutic environment, ensuring that students are supported as they prepare for future success.
About Solstice East
Solstice East is a residential treatment center for young women ages 14-17 nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Solstice East is committed to treating each student through a combination of individual, family, equine, and adventure therapies as well as treating and diagnosing a range of issues including (but not limited to) trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, attachment, and identity issues. Solstice East assists adolescents and their families in developing excellence in relationships, influence, character, and health throughout their life journey. Our holistic approach acknowledges that mental health diagnoses are only one piece of the puzzle; we strive to help young women succeed in multiple areas of their lives.