Elementary School Staff

Paul Freedman, Elementary School Director and Primary Class Teacher

I survived a private school education in New York City which included a couple of years in high school at Friends Seminary, a Quaker school which provided my first glimpse into a truly child-centered learning environment.  I attended Swarthmore College, graduating with a B.A. in psychology and did graduate work in education at Dominican College in San Rafael, CA.   My student teaching in Mendocino, CA provided me with access to a dynamic mentor teacher who introduced to me a career-long relationship with Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR).  I then taught eight years in public school districts in grades two through six.

I moved to Orcas Island with my family in semi-retirement and disillusionment with the public school system.  I stumbled into a small community of parents interested in creating an independent elementary school.  I was hired, my son enrolled, and Salmonberry School was born.  My influences include: Quaker education, ESR, The Center for Eco-literacy, Waldorf pedagogy, and Enki education.  I enjoy the challenge of designing learning opportunities for each child that fits his/her individual needs and learning style.  My broader goal is to "do more than create students who will be successful in their world, but to help foster the development of kids who will create the world that ought to be." 

Beginning in August 2006, I continued my formal professional development by enrolling in an MA in Education program at Goddard College.  My purpose in pursuing these studies is to better understand the alternative educational landscape and my place within it.  I am focusing my studies on reading a large body of educational theory, dialoguing with writers and practitioners, and observing alternative elementary education, humanistic psychology, holistic theory and related models of education and the emerging field of "partnership education," based on the work of Rianne Eisler.

Authors that are significantly influencing my work right now include: Ron Miller, Jack Miller, and Scott Forbes, as they help to clarify for me the epistemology of holistic knowing, teaching and learning, and the historic traditions of holism; Parker Palmer as he so eloquently describes the "community of truth" and the role of the teacher within such a subject-centered learning community; Nel Noddings, in her passionate description of education as a place to instill a capacity for caring and to develop an ethic of care; David Orr, who models tremendous wisdom in urging educators to help evolve in their students a sense of wonder and awe, and a deep connection to place and the earth as we teach what he describes as "ecologically literacy."

I continue to see a simply incredible opportunity here at the Salmonberry School, to apply these powerful educational theories and post-modern understandings of knowledge.  What do these ideals really look like in an elementary school committed to developing a notion of caring, connection, meaning, ultimacy and social justice?  How do we lead children towards full engagement, passion, compassion, trust, and wholeness?  In continual pursuit of these questions, and knowing that each answer only leads to a new set of questions, and most importantly always surrounded by these amazing children, supportive parents, and committed staff, I continue my journey.

Preschool Staff

Ethna Flanagan, Preschool Director and Teacher

In 1983 I obtained my degree in Early Childhood Education in Melbourne, Australia.  I taught kindergarten in Melbourne and then moved to Far North Queensland and worked as an activities coordinator on a resort.  I moved to the USA in 1989 and began working with teenagers on adventure trips.  I substitute taught and designed and implemented activity programs for local children.  I have worked with children of all ages in the past 20 years in addition to becoming a practicing massage therapist.

It is a personal passion to support children on their journey of exploring the world.  It is my intention to guide Salmonberry preschoolers to be confident and knowledgeable about their own boundaries.  I will encourage the skills that help them feel safe and successful as they navigate life and develop to be the best that they can be.  My goal is to be a support to the families and staff in my role as Head of Preschool.

Board of Trustees

Chris Morris - President

Lydia Miller - VP

Tammy Pollard - secretary

Heidi Dudley - treasurer

Lynn White

Scott Miller

Bernard Mehl

Eliza Morris

Chantelle Hildreth

Ethna Flanagan

Paul Freedman