Idahoans for Choice in Education

Expanding Educational Choice for Idaho Families

When I started teaching, I quickly discovered there were so many things that happened inside a school that had little to do with teaching and learning. For instance, it became clear that a teacher's role had become something other than the actual "art" of classroom teaching. Endless meetings, committee work, being pulled out of the classroom (with substitutes being pulled in) to work on "strategic plans" that would inevitably end up on the shelf, had become accepted, additional teacher duties.

Then when my own children began school, I experienced as a parent how this jumbled teaching process got in the way of my daughter and son's ability to learn. I wanted to create a school where I as a parent would want my children to attend. I knew there had to be a better way to run a safe, exciting elementary school.

When I became a principal, I got my opportunity to do so - defining a new vision of the principal's role, creating a model for managing a school, and bringing the emphasis in the classroom back to teaching and learning.

It's what has become known as the Harbor School Method. The Harbor Educational Institute was formed to make this method available to others (parents, teachers, administrators, school districts, etc.). It's been incredibly gratifying to see parents and educators excited when visiting our school, Liberty Charter School in Nampa, Idaho. So much so that the method has been duplicated five times, with three additional Harbor schools coming on line this coming school year, and two schools the year after next.

The Harbor School Method is centered on my strong belief that when students are given a learning environment with low threat to their personal safety and self esteem, and highly challenging academic content is presented, the inevitable outcome is accelerated learning.

The Harbor School Method is a child-centered educational model built on high expectations for both student behavior and academic endeavor. The Harbor School Method provides a comprehensive plan for character education and a rigorous program of core subject instruction. The method proactively sets up an environment that allows students to focus on learning while in a safe, secure setting. Direct teaching, which engages teachers and students in a fast paced interactive learning climate, is critical to the Harbor School Method's success.

The Harbor School Method establishes a school philosophy, embraced by the teachers, the administrator, students and parents that values every student and offers them the opportunity to succeed at a high level both socially and academically. I'm proud to say that The Harbor School Method is evidence that when expectations are high and supported with proper instruction in an environment conducive to concentration and comprehension, the results are outstanding.

For more information on the Harbor School Method, contact the Harbor Educational Institute at (208) 447-7326 or harborinstitute@aol.com. For information on Harbor Schools' test scores, visit the Idaho State Dept. of Education website and follow links to school districts testing outcomes.

ICE-PAC

P.O Box 933

Boise, ID 83701