Sonja Gantt oral history interview, 2004 December 8

Sonja Gantt, daughter of former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, describes her experience as a student at Piedmont Open Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina in the late 1970s. She discusses the cohesion of the student body, influential teachers, extracurricular activities, and how her time at Piedmont Open prompted her career choices. In addition, Ms. Gantt explains how she helped form the cheerleading squad at Piedmont Open, and the importance of inclusive participation in the team. She describes what she values as advantages of open education, stressing the open communication between student and teacher, the emphasis on a student's strengths, and a focus on problem solving.