INSIDE

New teacher assumes duties

By Meg Olson

There was a new face at the door as Point Roberts kids headed back to the local primary school this fall, but not brand new.
Starting in 2002 Mary Edgley spent three years in Point Roberts as the second teacher at the school, and she and husband Mark moved to the community in 2004. When the number of teachers at the school was cut down to one due to decreased enrollment Edgley was transferred to Blaine where she spent two years teaching fourth grade. Following Rita Worth’s retirement Edgely jumped at the chance to come back to the Point.

“I just loved it here,” she said. “I love teaching multiple grades and I love seeing the same kids over three years. I like to build a real school family and when you have them for more than a year it’s easy to do it.”
Edgley holds a doctorate from the University of Missouri, Columbia with a specialty in special education. “My biggest philosophy is to meet the needs of each individual,” she said.

That philosophy will play a strong role how she plans for the new school year, she said. “Lots and lots of individual instruction, lots of time spent on reading and writing and math but hopefully making it fun,” she said. “I’m planning on lots of varied activities suited to a student’s individual needs.”

Greater community connections will be a focus for Edgley in the new school year, including more activities with the seniors like a reading buddy system. “I’d like to see us get the kids’ work out into the community more, so people are more aware the school is here and does great things,” she said.

Edgley also wants to draw the community closer to the larger Blaine school system. “I would like to help people at the Point understand what a great education kids get at Blaine after they leave our primary,” she said. “I had a wonderful experience working down there for the last two years and was very impressed with everyone I worked with and the education provided.”

When she does send local students to third grade in Blaine, Edgley is committed to sending them ready. “My goal is to be sure every student who leaves here is at or above grade level in all subject areas,” she said. “Absolutely.”