About Harbor School

Cornerstone Values: Lived Every Day

Our Cornerstone Values help us celebrate all that is good about community and togetherness. By living these values daily, we are able to both honor and value the power of each individual as well as the diversity of our community. These values provide guidance and lessons to all members of our community – our families, faculty, students and staff. They influence our curriculum, govern our actions with each other, and remind us of that to which we aspire.

Recognizing and taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions, and being answerable to the consequences.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Looking beyond our own needs and concerns and having empathy for the experiences and culture of others.

COMPASSION

Honesty in our relationships with others and with ourselves. Integrity allows us to stand up for our beliefs and to speak and act truthfully.

INTEGRITY

Pushing ourselves to our limit by embracing tasks and activities that may be in, or out of, our comfort zone. Our focus is on being the best that we can be in relation to ourselves, rather than in comparison to others.

PERSONAL BEST

Considering someone’s feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences before acting. Our actions convey respect yet we also feel respect for others as well as feel respected by others.

RESPECT

Our duty to act for the benefit of our community but also for society at large, fulfilling our duty to maintain a balance between what is equitable and just for us and for the world in which we live.

RESPONSIBILITY

At Harbor School, our Cornerstone Values are lived every day through class meetings, greetings and messages, team building activities, and intentional modeling. The climate of our classrooms validates students’ feelings and ensures that everyone feels safe and cared for. We are intentional about modeling, nurturing, defining, and praising accomplishments that stem from good effort as well as acts of kindness, citizenship, and caring.

Harbor School Mission Statement

Inspiring young scholars to contribute their wisdom, compassion, and personal best in the classroom, the community, and the world.

Nestled in the “Heart of the Sound” with views of water or mountains at every corner, Vashon-Maury is truly an Island. It can only be reached by a breathtakingly beautiful ferry ride. There is something magical about being on an island. The pace is slower, the people are friendlier, the attitudes are relaxed and our patchwork of pastoral and natural settings make it a refreshing Northwest community.

With 45 miles of shoreline, Vashon-Maury Island boasts the majority of waterfront property in King County. The Island is approximately 13 miles long and eight miles at the widest point, with a year-round population of about 11,000. Whether you are looking for a quiet, romantic place to relax or activities for you and the entire family, Vashon has it all!

Visit the Vashon Chamber of Commerce for more information!

About Vashon Island

The Harbor School promotes inclusion, racial equity and social justice. The School provides an environment that honors individuals regardless of their gender, race, religion, socioeconomic class, physical appearance, gender expression, family configuration and ethnicity. The School supports the five areas by which we plan to execute our commitment.

Race Equity Commitment

Commitment Statement

Establish a Race Equity Committee comprised of parents, teachers, staff, the Head of School and at least one Board Member. Establish a commitment to a set of measurable actions and establish a process to assess the effectiveness of this commitment.

Goal

Diverse students, teachers, board members, staff, and classroom presenters provide opportunities to build relationships with people from different races and cultures. Students build awareness and social skills when they are given the opportunity to interact with people of different races and ethnicities through a range of experiences.

The School prioritizes building and maintaining a network of diverse students, teachers, staff, and classroom presenters.

Diverse School Community

Routine educational opportunities for faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees enhance the quality of multicultural education and provide opportunities to discuss bias, overgeneralization, and diversity rich curriculum in an ever-changing world.

The School prioritizes professional development opportunities which include diversity-rich content that supports teaching with an age appropriate race equity lens.

Professional Development

Engaging families and the community creates opportunities for meaningful dialog on race and diversity issues.

The School provides opportunities for active engagement in a respectful dialogue about race and cultural differences for families and the community.

Family & Community Engagement

Introducing and explicitly discussing multicultural and race issues in the classroom provides a productive space for children of all ages to develop meaningful cultural competency and to recognize and combat racism and discrimination.
The School provides a productive classroom space for all students to learn how to recognize and combat racism and discrimination, as well as engage in dialogue about race issues.

Productive Learning Environment

The highest standard of education teaches children to be global citizens; to understandthe historical context of race and diversity issues in society and to foster a sense of curiosity for diverse people and cultures.

The School provides opportunities for students to interact with people of different races and ethnicities through a range of experiences such as school trips and classroom speakers.

Curriculum

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Our Faculty & Staff

Teri came to Harbor School in 2020 after spending 15 years in Seattle area independent schools as both a teacher and school leader. She recently completed a Master's of Education degree in Private School Leadership from Columbia University. She also holds degrees in Elementary Education from Western Washington University and an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from Western Governor's University. Teri is a National Board Certified Teacher and in 2015 was selected as a National Geographic Grosvenor Teaching Fellow. Teri loves books, travel and spending time outside with her friends and family.
She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 Teri has her National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, a Bachelor of Arts in US History from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

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Teri came to Harbor School in 2020 after spending 15 years in Seattle area independent schools as both a teacher and school leader.

She recently completed a Master's of Education degree in Private School Leadership from Columbia University. She also holds degrees in Elementary Education from Western Washington University and an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from Western Governor's University.

Teri is a National Board Certified Teacher and in 2015 was selected as a National Geographic Grosvenor Teaching Fellow. Teri loves books, travel and spending time outside with her friends and family.

Head of School


Teri Rutledge


In 2010, Niamh began her involvement at Harbor School as a volunteer parent when her daughter Amelia entered 4th grade.

She has played a key role in Harbor School’s annual auctions in addition to serving as parent volunteer coordinator prior to becoming Admissions Director. Niamh has an extensive background in office administration both in the United States and in Europe.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 Teri has her National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, a Bachelor of Arts in US History from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

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In 2010, Niamh began her involvement at Harbor School as a volunteer parent when her daughter Amelia entered 4th grade.

She has played a key role in Harbor School’s annual auctions in addition to serving as parent volunteer coordinator prior to becoming Admissions Director. Niamh has an extensive background in office administration both in the United States and in Europe.

Admissions Director

Niamh Prince

Andrea first began teaching children working for the Pacific Arts Center in Seattle, which brought her into a variety of different settings as an artist-in-residence.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 with a Masters In Teaching degree and K-8 certification. She worked for 9 years as the art specialist at The Bertschi School in Seattle, a leading private elementary school.

She has played a key role in Harbor School’s annual auctions in addition to serving as parent volunteer coordinator prior to becoming Admissions Director. Niamh has an extensive background in office administration both in the United States and in Europe.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 Teri has her National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, a Bachelor of Arts in US History from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

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Andrea first began teaching children working for the Pacific Arts Center in Seattle, which brought her into a variety of different settings as an artist-in-residence.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 with a Masters In Teaching degree and K-8 certification. She worked for 9 years as the art specialist at The Bertschi School in Seattle, a leading private elementary school.

K-3 Math & Art Teacher

Andrea Braganza

Joleen is a beloved fixture in Vashon Island education, having had multiple roles over her years in our public schools, including her vaunted success with the Chautauqua multi-age elementary program.

Joleen is thrilled to be part of a strong teaching team at Harbor School and Carpe Diem. She joined the faculty at Harbor School in 2015 as a K-3 teacher at Carpe Diem and is now the multi-age Upper Elementary (4th/5th grade) teacher.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 with a Masters In Teaching degree and K-8 certification. She worked for 9 years as the art specialist at The Bertschi School in Seattle, a leading private elementary school.

She has played a key role in Harbor School’s annual auctions in addition to serving as parent volunteer coordinator prior to becoming Admissions Director. Niamh has an extensive background in office administration both in the United States and in Europe.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 Teri has her National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, a Bachelor of Arts in US History from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

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Joleen is a beloved fixture in Vashon Island education, having had multiple roles over her years in our public schools, including her vaunted success with the Chautauqua multi-age elementary program.

Joleen is thrilled to be part of a strong teaching team at Harbor School and Carpe Diem. She joined the faculty at Harbor School in 2015 as a K-3 teacher at Carpe Diem and is now the multi-age Upper Elementary (4th/5th grade) teacher.

Upper Elementary Teacher

Joleen McCauley

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Jon earned a master’s degree in education from The City College of New York and taught in Harlem and the Bronx for four years.

After returning home to the Pacific Northwest in 2011, Jon taught math to ten cohorts of Rainier Scholars and directed the math department at Explorer West Middle School for seven years.

Joleen is thrilled to be part of a strong teaching team at Harbor School and Carpe Diem. She joined the faculty at Harbor School in 2015 as a K-3 teacher at Carpe Diem and is now the multi-age Upper Elementary (4th/5th grade) teacher.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 with a Masters In Teaching degree and K-8 certification. She worked for 9 years as the art specialist at The Bertschi School in Seattle, a leading private elementary school.

She has played a key role in Harbor School’s annual auctions in addition to serving as parent volunteer coordinator prior to becoming Admissions Director. Niamh has an extensive background in office administration both in the United States and in Europe.

She attended Seattle University and graduated in 1999 Teri has her National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist, a Bachelor of Arts in US History from Western Washington University, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.

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A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Jon earned a master’s degree in education from The City College of New York and taught in Harlem and the Bronx for four years.

After returning home to the Pacific Northwest in 2011, Jon taught math to ten cohorts of Rainier Scholars and directed the math department at Explorer West Middle School for seven years.

Middle School Math

Jon Howland

Zoë graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Biology, beginning her career doing hands-on chemistry and microbiology in the quality lab at the Pyramid Brewery.

Her first foray into K-12 education was developing a chess curriculum for public elementary schools. She earned her MS in Secondary Education at Canisius College (New York), completing internships emphasizing inquiry-based and cooperative learning.

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Zoë graduated from Washington State University with a BS in Biology, beginning her career doing hands-on chemistry and microbiology in the quality lab at the Pyramid Brewery.

Her first foray into K-12 education was developing a chess curriculum for public elementary schools. She earned her MS in Secondary Education at Canisius College (New York), completing internships emphasizing inquiry-based and cooperative learning.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE & MATH

Zoë Hughes

When her children were young, Lauretta made a profession out of storytelling, offering Artists-in-Residence programs in the local schools.

She probably would have stayed with storytelling forever had it not been for her older son’s experience at Harbor School. Initially drawn to the school because of its low student-teacher ratio, she quickly became enamored of its service learning and travel study emphasis.

Her first foray into K-12 education was developing a chess curriculum for public elementary schools. She earned her MS in Secondary Education at Canisius College (New York), completing internships emphasizing inquiry-based and cooperative learning.

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When her children were young, Lauretta made a profession out of storytelling, offering Artists-in-Residence programs in the local schools.

She probably would have stayed with storytelling forever had it not been for her older son’s experience at Harbor School. Initially drawn to the school because of its low student-teacher ratio, she quickly became enamored of its service learning and travel study emphasis.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES

Lauretta Hyde

Todd comes to us after four years of teaching at Seacrest Country Day School, an independent school in Naples, Florida. 

Todd has a Bachelor of Art with a Major in English from Dartmouth College and is completing a Masters in English Studies from the Universite de Lyon 2 in France – his thesis is 20th Century American Poetry.

She probably would have stayed with storytelling forever had it not been for her older son’s experience at Harbor School. Initially drawn to the school because of its low student-teacher ratio, she quickly became enamored of its service learning and travel study emphasis.

Her first foray into K-12 education was developing a chess curriculum for public elementary schools. She earned her MS in Secondary Education at Canisius College (New York), completing internships emphasizing inquiry-based and cooperative learning.

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Todd comes to us after four years of teaching at Seacrest Country Day School, an independent school in Naples, Florida. 

Todd has a Bachelor of Art with a Major in English from Dartmouth College and is completing a Masters in English Studies from the Universite de Lyon 2 in France – his thesis is 20th Century American Poetry.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH

Todd Wooster


4-8 Art Teacher and Extended Day Director

Alisara Martin


K-3 Associate Teacher

Sally Struck

Zoe was born and raised in Yorkshire, UK. She was a member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, before earning a BA degree in Drama from Bristol University, and a graduate certificate in Dance Education from The Laban Centre at the University of London, UK. After moving to NYC, she studied African Music and dance extensively with Babatunde Olatunji. She gained a teaching certificate in Waldorf Education from Sound Circle Center in Seattle in 2006 and studied Music Education at Sunbridge College, New York. Zoe has taught Music K- 12 at several schools in the Puget Sound area. Prior to joining the Faculty at Harbor School, Zoe was a Teacher at Bright Water Waldorf School in Seattle. She is delighted to be living on Vashon and to be working with students in her own community at Harbor School!

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Zoe was born and raised in Yorkshire, UK. She was a member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, before earning a BA degree in Drama from Bristol University, and a graduate certificate in Dance Education from The Laban Centre at the University of London, UK.

After moving to NYC, she studied African Music and dance extensively with Babatunde Olatunji. She gained a teaching certificate in Waldorf Education from Sound Circle Center in Seattle in 2006 and studied Music Education at Sunbridge College, New York.

Zoe has taught Music K- 12 at several schools in the Puget Sound area. Prior to joining the Faculty at Harbor School, Zoe was a Teacher at Bright Water Waldorf School in Seattle. She is delighted to be living on Vashon and to be working with students in her own community at Harbor School!

K-3 Literacy and Elementary Music

Zoe Ryan

Zachary Charles graduated Cum Laude from Elon University with a B.A. in Spanish. While there, he began his studies in education and has since completed internships and practicums at Walter M. Williams, where he worked one on one with an ESL student, and Western High Schools in Alamance County, NC and at The Burlington School, a small K-12 private school, also in Alamance, NC. Most recently, he has been working on graduate level language teaching course work. He loves writing, reading, playing tabletop games, camping, hiking, biking, all manner of outdoor activities, and has worked as a trip leader for a variety of camping trips.
Todd has a Bachelor of Art with a Major in English from Dartmouth College and is completing a Masters in English Studies from the Universite de Lyon 2 in France – his thesis is 20th Century American Poetry.

She probably would have stayed with storytelling forever had it not been for her older son’s experience at Harbor School. Initially drawn to the school because of its low student-teacher ratio, she quickly became enamored of its service learning and travel study emphasis.

Her first foray into K-12 education was developing a chess curriculum for public elementary schools. She earned her MS in Secondary Education at Canisius College (New York), completing internships emphasizing inquiry-based and cooperative learning.

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Zachary Charles graduated Cum Laude from Elon University with a B.A. in Spanish. While there, he began his studies in education and has since completed internships and practicums at Walter M. Williams, where he worked one on one with an ESL student, and Western High Schools in Alamance County, NC and at The Burlington School, a small K-12 private school, also in Alamance, NC.

Most recently, he has been working on graduate level language teaching course work. He loves writing, reading, playing tabletop games, camping, hiking, biking, all manner of outdoor activities, and has worked as a trip leader for a variety of camping trips.

Spanish Teacher

Zach Charles


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Christina has been a part of the Vashon community for the past 8 years. She previously taught at Creative Preschool, as well as managing Vashon Bodywork. She is mom to three daughters, who keep her very busy! She has been welcomed into the Harbor School family this year and is enjoying her time here in the office. 

associate teacher

Cole Curtright