Salmonberry School adds Liz Shiffler

Salmonberry School has expanded its elementary program into two classrooms for the 2005-2006 school year. The expansion will meet the needs of the 18 currently-enrolled students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

After a comprehensive search, the school board hired Liz Shiffler as a teacher in training. Liz will join lead teacher Paul Freedman and assistant Mairi Rose Stagg in these grades.

Liz has extensive experience as an environmental educator at the Moran Outdoor School, and has worked with children in a variety of multi-age settings, including The Funhouse. Most recently, she coordinated Salmonberrys' summer garden program, introducing a hands-on curriculum for the students. She has also volunteered at the preschool. This year Liz will work part-time and do her student teaching at Salmonberry while she completes her Washington teacher certification and an MA in Education at Prescott College.

“We are all very excited about the energy and enthusiasm Liz brings to

the elementary team. She is a kind and loving person, and a natural and inspiring teacher,” said Director Paul Freedman.

Ethna Flanagan has been promoted, and will head Salmonberry’s preschool. Gretchen Shaw will return as assistant teacher.

Salmonberry offers an experientially and academically rich environment emphasizing confidence, compassion and responsibility through cooperative community learning. The school’s low teacher-student ratio enables it to provide individual attention to students.

Both the elementary school and the preschool are enrolling students for fall. Classes started Tuesday, Sept. 6.

For more information about Salmonberry School, call 376-6310 or visit www.salmonberryschool.org.

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