Glacier Lake School transitions to new leadership

ST. IGNATIUS — One measure of success is to pass on something lasting into the future, and Glacier Lake School’s founders, Ben Kestner and Lisa Pavlock, have achieved that.

Kestner and Pavlock founded the nonprofit alternative school in St. Ignatius in 2014. Their vision was to offer children of all walks of life and income levels the chance to direct their own education and activities as part of a democratically run school, the first in Montana. Both had taught in international schools; Kestner was a middle school principal, and Pavlock was a department leader who also coached sports. But as their own child entered the system they taught in, they recognized that she would likely flourish more under something quite different.

After researching several schools around the world, they decided to move close to family in St. Ignatius, and opened Glacier Lake School when their daughter, Marina, was 7.

“A school where we trust children to take responsibility for their learning and their lives,” wrote Kestner in a recent blog post.

The school has grown to enroll about 30 students each year, ages 4 to 19, and has found the community to be welcoming.

“We have felt supported here by such a broad range of people,” Pavlock said. “People here really embrace so many different kinds of people. That’s what I love about our valley.”

Some families have children in both the public schools and in GLS, recognizing that different children have different learning styles, she said.

With this successful experience, Kestner and Pavlock have been recruited by a group of families to start a similar school in Ibiza, Spain. They are excited for the new adventure and happy that GLS will carry on with new staff. There may even be opportunities for exchanges between the two schools, they said.

Nora Gibbons and Janet Moxness, the new staff members, have been associated with GLS for years. Both taught there for a transitional period last school year. The school expects to hire a third part-time staff member and welcomes volunteers to share their experience as well.

Gibbons offered a drama class at GLS during her senior year of high school in Missoula. She continued to visit as she pursued her bachelor’s degree in global studies from Long Island University Global College. She volunteered and worked in democratic schools in several countries and completed a research thesis on conflict resolution and mediation at one such school in Ireland.

"Ben and Lisa built such a beautiful thing, and I am really happy to be able to make sure that this kind of opportunity continues to be available for any student who wants it,” Gibbons said. “At Glacier Lake, young people can experience freedom and cultivate their own voice and decision making power, and their own community. A self-directed environment is the perfect place to develop these unique and important skills."

Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts was the first student-directed democratic school in the U.S.

“When Nora went to college, every place she went, she would find Sudbury model schools and make connections,” Pavlock said. “So not only is she coming back to us, but she is sharing with us what she has learned. She has a wealth of insight.”

Moxness has taught American Sign Language at GLS for several years, and her son graduated from the school last year. She has a degree in English education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and she brings a wide range of experience including substitute teaching, camp counselor, professional cook, elder and end of life care, farming and property management, teaching piano, Cub Scout leader, PTO member. She even helped found a parent cooperative Waldorf-based school.

“I’m really excited to get to know the kids more and support them as they grow into themselves and find their way,” Moxness said. She maintains strong relationships with local public school teachers. She gave examples of kids, including her own, who had chosen GLS and public school at different times in their lives. “We’re all one community, and we can all support each other.”

The school meeting, where school workings are negotiated and decided, is one of the most important aspects, Moxness said.

“Because they have so much say and responsibility in the school, it’s good training in leadership and forming your community, on boards, or city, county, state or national level government.”

Watching students manage this process, combined with the conflict resolution tools of mediation and the “Peace and Justice committee” gives Moxness hope for the future.

“We need leaders who can solve conflict in a positive way, especially in our divided society. They will know that they can change their world, and they learn how to agree to disagree.”

“I’m just honored to be able to help provide this benevolent container for these kids,” Moxness said.

Glacier Lake School is accepting applications for the coming school year. Visit glacierlakeschool.com or call 745-2345 for more information.