Last June I was lucky enough to become the new FHHS Social Studies teacher.

Despite having eight years’ experience, there’s still some trepidation in teaching at a new location; any reservations that I had promptly subsided as I got to know the staff and students in the San Juan School District. They immediately made me feel welcomed, and this has become the most fun that I have had teaching because the students constantly challenge me to better myself.

Also the administration, parents, the school board, and the entire community have been wonderfully supportive as well, and after only a few months I am proud to call Friday Harbor my home. My children love going to FHES as the teachers there have been nothing short of awesome.

The beauty of this tight-knit community is that they all know the importance of a quality education, and how important levies are, not only to the district, but to the county and state as a whole.

The world is rapidly changing, as we become smaller and smaller due to the rapidity of globalization. We are no longer just competing with Orcas, Anacortes or even with other schools in the state of Washington, but from around the world.

Resources are finite, and so are jobs; we need to impart every single opportunity that we can in order to help students compete and succeed in this hyper competitive environment. This levy helps ensure that.

I am still wowed by the effort shown by staff and students alike on a daily basis. The music and arts programs here are second to none.

Even when I attended WWU, I never saw such amazing art adorning the hallways. SJISD provides amazing opportunities and options for students such as a myriad of AP and online classes.

Finally, the levy will help keep class sizes down, so we can continue to focus more on individual need, helping each and every student achieve their full potential.

I urge everyone to vote “Yes” on February 11 for the Renewal of the Four-Year Maintenance and Operations Levy

Kevin Kindelberger, FHHS Social Studies Teacher