During their senior year, many students are accustomed the way high school runs. There are some, however, that need a different environment and NTA offers that, according to coordinator Chris Weaver.

Started four years ago by Arika Mareck, NTA offers students who need a different kind of learning environment a safe and welcoming community.

NTA Coordinator Chris Weaver, who has held the position for two years, said he enjoys the job because he feels he can relate to the students.

“My high school story is similar to a lot of the students that are there. I feel like I have a experience to give back to them so that they can be better off than I was leaving high school,” Weaver said. “If I was in high school and they had this kind of program, I would have loved to be in it.”

Senior Aerial Lark-Ingram said what most significantly differentiates NTA is the teachers.

“Joining NTA, I have teachers that I’ve had before so I know how they teach and they taught me well,” Lark-Ingram said. “Especially Mr. Wilkes, I had him when I was a freshman as an English teacher and he definitely wants to see (me) do well.”

English teacher Andy Wilkes has been working as a part of NTA for three years. He said what he most likes about NTA is the community it creates.

“Our goal is to have a place where students feel safe, welcomed, recognized and understood,” Wilkes said.

According to Wilkes, NTA makes and eats a meal together every quarter to build that sense of family.

“The key thing about NTA is family, so we have group meals once or twice a quarter,” Wilkes said. “We’ll get together in the kitchen in the B2 hallway and cook and eat a meal together.”

Weaver said what is most important is appearing as human to the students.

“We try to be as open and as understanding as possible,” Weaver said. “I think we do a really good job at being real people and sharing our experiences with the kids.”