SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, California. Cris Alarcon, (October 27, 2023) – The story of Meyers Elementary School is one that speaks to the essence of innovation and community in education. Built in 1967, this school has been on the cutting edge from its inception, setting a precedent for modern educational approaches. Today, it returns to its original name, Meyers Elementary School, Home of the Bears, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
A Visionary Beginning
Meyers school site has been on cutting edge since opening. Built in 1967, Meyers Elementary School stood vacant for a year before students entered the classrooms in the inaugural year of 1968. Hans A. Mayer was the El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools at the time.
“I’d like to commend the school board and administration for their foresight in building the Meyers School one year too early. So many schools in the nation have been built five or 10 years too late. You have, without a doubt, created a beautiful, sensible center of learning for your children.”
When the school opened for the 1968-69 school year, 511 students walked through the front doors and into a modern design of open space and “team teaching” Meyers Elementary introduced a forward-thinking concept known as “team teaching” (also often called “collaborative teaching” or “Co-teaching”) where two or three teachers collaborated on planning, teaching, and evaluating educational programs for groups of learners. This innovative approach not only provided effective learning methods for larger groups but also allowed for personalized attention to students who required individual instruction.
The school’s open-space design, with classrooms having only three walls and the fourth wall opening into a large, central communal space, facilitated the implementation of team teaching. Instead of traditional grade levels, classrooms were divided into three wings: “1-3,” “2-4,” and “3-5,” signifying school level work without assigning specific grades to individual students. Students found themselves belonging to a “Wing” rather than a grade, fostering a unique sense of identity and community.
Throughout the school day all the students gathered in the center space for activities like group singing lead by a teacher playing a guitar, or other group activities independent of academic school work levels.
Transition and Renewal
In 2004, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) faced challenges of declining enrollment and budget constraints during a statewide fiscal crisis. At that time, Meyers Elementary School closed its doors, bringing to a pause an era of innovative education.
However, in September 2005, Meyers Elementary School was reborn as the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) with an enrollment of 312 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school maintained its tradition of pioneering teaching methods, emphasizing environmental science and incorporating technology into the curriculum. Students engaged in various projects, including stream restoration, revegetation instruction, and recycling efforts.
As the school continued to evolve, it drew students from across the district, eventually reaching a capacity of 360 students by its fourth year, as noted by Superintendent James Tarwater.
A Return to Roots and Values
The recent decision to rename Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School to Meyers Elementary School, Home of the Bears, signifies a return to the school’s origins and values. The bear, the school’s mascot, represents the local wildlife and embodies the strength and resilience the school aims to nurture in its students.
Principal Joel Dameral emphasizes that this name change reflects a commitment to building a strong sense of community and pride among students, staff, and families. It resonates with the school’s spirit and values while emphasizing its identity in the local community as a safe place for learning and growth.
Meyers Elementary School embarks on a new chapter, promising promise, growth, and a strong sense of community. Its dedication to academic excellence remains unwavering, and it eagerly anticipates fostering a positive, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for all students.
The journey continues, and Meyers Elementary School, Home of the Bears, stands as a symbol of innovation, community, and education, reflecting the values and vision that have been at its core since its inception in 1967.
Written by: Cristofer Robin Price, Graduate of Meyers Elementary, School Year 1969-1970
Cristofer Robin Price 1969
