Middle School

Although his primary responsibility as Headmaster is to set the tone for the school, it is unlikely that Mr. Reed will ever give up teaching in the classroom.  According to him, “There simply is no greater thrill than seeing the recognition on a child’s face when they finally master a new skill.  I will always want to be a part of that process.” 

He was a reluctant teacher at first, helping his mother while attending Northern Arizona University.  He earned his bachelor’s Degree with a Major in History and a Minor in Mathematics.  While working on his graduate degree at University of Arizona he was approached by his mother to return to Flagstaff and start a Carden Middle School into which her Carden Elementary School student could matriculate.   Mr. Reed currently teaches the middle school (5^th to 8^th Grade) History and Math. 

All students gradually obtain the stamina and independent working skills needed for the upper grade curriculum.  It is this time in our curriculum that we require longer term assignments and self-motivation while we begin to prepare each student for the transition to High School and beyond.  In addition to teaching daily classes at the school, Mr. Reed is also a Carden Foundation Instructor.  He travels during the summer and infrequently during the school year to help other Carden schools with their teacher training and cirriculum implementation.

To teach Ancient History and Creative Writing Skills at The Howard School, you need a teacher like Mr. Fisher: someone who has traveled the world (he spent 46 months visiting 44 countries from Tasmania to Tanzania, Spain to Samoa), is a published author and a professional photographer.   We are very lucky to have him as one of our faculty members.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from San Diego State University. There he earned his Secondary Education, English teaching credential.  He began teaching in 2009 and joined our staff in 2011.  Mr. Fisher also teaches the 6^th through 8^th Grade Science and Literature. 

 Mr. Fisher offers the students a unique perspective on life. His enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and experiences is  evident in the  relationship he builds with each student.  According to Mr. Fisher, “I find it refreshing that the middle school students are still receptive to guidance and leadership; they are so respectful of others and of themselves.  The smaller class size seems to have given them the opportunity to really discover who they are. You don’t see a division between the boys and the girls, they support each other in a unique way and work as a united group”.  Mr. Fisher looks forward to helping them complete their science projects for the annual Science Fair held in the spring.  This is an exciting part of the year and the students show a keen interest in presenting their best work.  Mr. Fisher says, “I see my role as helping the students work more independently and guiding them through long-term objectives as they prepare for High School.”

Mrs. Jensen does not teach History at The Howard School, but she is definitely a part of our history.  She began her career as a second grade student at The Howard School’s Montecito location.  After graduating from Principia College, she taught The Mae Carden Method to 1^st and 2^nd graders in China for a year before coming back to the states.  Upon her return home in 2003, she was offered a position teaching Spelling, Language and Composition to our 5^th through 8^th Graders.  One of Mrs. Jensen’s goals is to help students figure out what they don’t know vs. what they do know and guide them on this path of discovery.  “My favorite event each year is our week long middle school field trip.  Seeing how the students conduct themselves away from school and family always reassures me that we are making a difference in their lives. They are on their way to being very good citizens and I am proud of them.” says, Mrs. Jensen. 

Mr. Reiman’s primary responsibility at The Howard School is to teach Physical Education.  We feel very strongly about incorporating P.E. into our daily curriculum.  It’s one of the components that makes Mae Carden’s philosophy of “Teaching the whole child” possible.  Mr. Reiman says, “Sports teach us a lot about what we need to know in life: good sportsmanship, cooperative play, teamwork and a positive attitude.” 

For the younger children P.E. is vital; it gives them much needed time to release some energy,  and to start developing a sense of their physical being.  The older grades are learning to rely on each other and support one another while developing their skills.  Physical Education is a graded class in middle school, though the grade does not reflect physical ability alone; it reflects sportsmanship, teamwork and character.” 

Mr. Reiman has been involved in sports his whole life.  He received his undergraduate degree in Geology but went on to get his Masters in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Teaching and Coaching.  He has been putting those skills to good use since 2007 at The Howard School.  Mr. Reiman also teaches our 5^th through 8^th graders Geology and provides some instruction in Science and Literature. 

When Mr. Reiman is not teaching at the school, he is coaching children’s soccer or giving surf lessons through his summer camp programs.