March 10, 2010
Dear Families and Friends of Kauai Pacific School,

It is with purposeful excitement that I write this letter. In the whirlwind of time that has elapsed since I began the interview process with KPS my mind has been on fire with the visions of what your school community is doing and what we will do. My visions have been guided by the clear and yet freethinking course set by the search committee and my encounters with KPS faculty, students, and families. I see that the timing is perfect to significantly impact the educational opportunities in Kauai…and with that to create a model for educational reform that is entirely green, sustainable and where global understanding, action and peaceful resolution are applied locally.

I find the KPS faculty to be strong, well-trained and resourceful. I am a teacher by identity and recognize in this group a sure-footed sense of the importance of teaching compassion and deep connections through daily practice and by modeling curiosity. I am humbled to have the opportunity to work with this amazing group of teaching professionals. My interview with the 5th and 6th grade students was my favorite experience during the interview process as I was energized by the students’ love for their school and their creative confidence. It was during this conversation with the students that my excitement for KPS caught fire, as we discussed the varied opportunities of learning from fishing, and in that short conversation the infinite venue possibilities for progressive education.

I have been a headmaster and a middle school head and yet my identity remains as a teacher. I have taught world geography, ancient (pre)history, environmental science, and introduction to archaeology. My background includes training as an anthropological archaeologist and I have worked for the Smithsonian Institute, the Snoqualmie Nation, and SWCA Environmental Group. I believe in the power of anthropology as a methodology of non-judgmental observation and social critique. Through archaeology I teach the possibilities of seeing the world in new ways by studying the mundane artifacts all around us. I am a naturalist and find a constant yearning to learn more about the inter-connectivity of ecosystems and how humans can map onto a resource area in sustainable and productive ways. For me personally the most exciting part of the opportunity to lead KPS is that I feel that I can do so and still be myself. I will pour out my identity as an ethno-archaeologist and naturalist and in so doing map onto what I see KPS already doing.

I enjoy my work and bring this sense of joy into the school through the energy of relationships. I enjoy seeing the positive effects of casting encouragement and compliments within a school community. My best strengths and my main source of energy come from my friendships with my wife Tesa our daughter Ciela (8), and our son Thane (6). I am excited beyond belief about this opportunity for my family and I am eager to get on the ground and get to work! I want to abundantly thank Doran, Lyle, and Chris who have taken such good care of me and have been inspirational as they led me down the KPS trail.

Aloha and Mahalo! ~Richard