After a national search for its first Head of School, the Animas High Board has selected Michael Ackerman of Prescott, Arizona, from an impressive field of candidates.
“Michael stood out for many reasons. For such a young man, Michael brings a remarkable breadth of experience in educational leadership and business acumen,” said Jim Judge, professor emeritus at Fort Lewis College. “We told him he’d have to hit the ground running and he’s doing exactly that. He is a ball of fire - exactly what’s needed in developing a school as ambitious and ‘out of the box’ as Animas High School will be.”
Michael’s “can do” approach has been forged in the trenches of both public and private education. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Prescott College, Ackerman was pursuing graduate studies at the University of New Hampshire when he was recruited by the Conway New Hampshire School District to restructure an alternative high school program. Instead of revamping, Michael recommended the creation of an entirely new program which he designed and implemented - The Tributaries Alternative Education Program.
Michael next joined a small group of talented educators in the creation of a college prep boarding school adjacent to the White Mountains National Forest. Wearing the hats of administrator and curriculum designer, he developed a marketing and enrollment plan and oversaw the creation of the four season outdoor adventure program for The Oliverian School, designed for “Bright Students with Lots of Potential.”
Michael returned to Arizona’s sunshine when offered a chance to be Director of Programs at Learn Outdoors in Prescott specializing in experiential education. Quickly rising to be CEO of this entrepreneurial non-profit, Michael developed a business plan based on public and private business partnerships to ensure that schools are able to provide students with outdoor Project Based Learning programs they would otherwise forego because of staff limitations.
All of this adds up to Michael being a perfect fit for our school and our community. We know that he and his wife are a wonderful match for all that Durango has to offer. Michael relaxes by playing in a jazz band and looks forward to sharing his love of music with AHS students. His passion for snowboarding has taken him across North America’s mountains as a professional ski patroller, avalanche educator, sponsored backcountry rider and off-piste guide. His adventure writing and photography have appeared in publications nationwide.
To learn more about Animas High School's model, read Bill Gates speech to the National Governor's Association - “America’s High Schools are Obsolete”
Bill and Melinda Gates join Oprah on a visit to High Tech High, San Diego
No comments:
Post a Comment