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James “Buck” Harless has consistently supported and encouraged
the initiatives of the June Harless Center for Rural Educational
Research and Development named in honor of June Montgomery Harless,
one of southern West Virginia’s most avid supporters of education
and medical research. The educational support has been enhanced with
the addition of the Hallie Harless Distinguished Teacher Award
honoring outstanding southern West Virginia educators.
The mission of the June
Harless Center for Rural Educational Research and Development, which
reflects the philosophy of the Harless family, is to provide
leadership in educational initiatives for West Virginia educators
and students. As a result of Buck’s vision the Center provides
educators and families of rural West Virginia with a support system
that addresses educational issues, sustains school improvement, and
provides positive growth in all educational factors.
Among the current initiatives of the Center are the Global 21
Model Schools Project, the Appalachian Math-Science Partnership, and
the MU Partnership Schools Project. The Center provides statewide
professional development in school reform, standards-based
mathematics, best practices in literacy, place-based instruction,
and hands-on science and robotics. The Center is actively involved
in facilitating the transitioning of schools to 21st century
teaching and learning through the Harless Retrofit Process.
Another current initiative is the STEM Academy
which will provide Global 21 educational opportunities for
educators and students.
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