"It is exciting that we're 10 years (into the program) and we get to watch these fabulous human beings walk the stage," said Kim Fine, a former public school teacher who co-founded Otter Beach with Jeanne Parker in 1995. Fine also is vice president of the center's board of directors.
"The thing I am most proud of when I think about these kids is that they are really wonderful people and that's one of our huge main goals," said Parker, a teacher at Otter Beach. "To know that we are successfully turning out these community members that are kind, thoughtful and well thought of, no matter what they excel in, is pretty much one of the main things we're trying to do here."
In 10 years, 94 students have attended Otter Beach Educational Center, according to Mary Clare Foecke, board president, who became involved as a volunteer and as a parent to one of the center's first kindergarteners, Gillian Beran-Maryott.
"At the heart of the program is the belief that curiosity, creativity and cooperation are the building blocks for life-long education and that learning in an environment of mutual respect empowers children," Foecke said. "Our curriculum aims to nourish the whole child by supporting their emotional, intellectual, social and physical development."
Webb, Spence-Chorman and Klein attended Otter Beach only one year, but that year left its mark.
"One of the long-term impacts has been his strong interest in ceramics and art," Betsy Webb said of her son. "I think (Otter Beach) has such a strong art program and made such fun creative projects that it really triggered his interest in ceramics. He's now taking advanced ceramics in high school."
Describing Otter Beach's environment as playful, inviting and warm, Betsy Webb said, "This is the kind of environment where I think kids just thrive — unstructured and extemporaneous."
Spence-Chorman attended first and second grade in Anchorage.
"He would wake up each morning asking, 'Do I have to go to school today,'" said his mother, Dianne Spence. "Otter Beach was the first school he attended without complaining. He had so much fun with hands-on, thematic learning that it just didn't feel like school."
Klein's mother, Denise Moriarty, enrolled Klein in Otter Beach because of small class size, multi-age groupings, Fine's reputation as an excellent educator and the emphasis on involving families in the educational process. Also making a positive impression were the center's "solar emergencies."
"When the sun shines, you really have to go to the beach," Moriarty said. "And it was not just going to the beach. (Fine) is such a good teacher that she made it into an expedition. My daughter still enjoys turning over rocks."
"Creative" was a word Klamser used to describe her Otter Beach experience, recalling how subjects were grouped, such as learning to count in Spanish while doing gymnastics.
"It was an incredibly, incredibly advanced school," said Klamser, who was introduced to pre-algebra in the third grade. "It didn't make us hate school. We looked forward to going and that made a pretty big difference."
A celebration honoring the school's alumni is planned for mid-summer.
"As they move into other schools in the community and beyond, most of them are recognized as creative thinkers, competent problem-solvers and collaborative learners," Foecke said. "They are high academic achievers, involved community members and they move with self-confidence and passion. In short, they're all-around great kids."
Otter Beach Learning Center is currently taking applications for the 2005-2006 school year. For more information, visit the Web at www.otterbeach.org.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
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