![]() The passing of Buck Harless on Janustrengthens our resolve to make a positive difference in the West Virginia educational community in his honor. We will always be grateful to Buck for making our work possible. ![]() Another current initiative is the “Flip the Classroom” project in which teachers receive professional development in how to utilize technology tools and engaging activation to improve student achievement via a different educational delivery format. The Harless Center is actively involved in facilitating the transitioning of schools to 21st century teaching and learning through the Harless Retrofit Process. 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. Among the current initiatives of the Harless Center are the MU Early Education STEM Center, the partnership with Cabell County to develop the Expeditionary Learning Incubator School, summer camps, and the CREATE Satellite Lab. As a result of Buck’s vision the Harless 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. 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. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” That is the mantra of the Harless Center Staff members as we reach out to WV students and teachers with professional development and programming that Buck supported through the fourteen years of our partnership. A quote by Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound exemplifies Buck’s belief, “There is more in us than we know. Buck used his wealth and influence to assist the children of West Virginia to see the potential that abides in them and to provide them a “bridge” (educational opportunities) that helped them to never settle for anything less than their best. Buck was a “bridge builder,” who built bridges for individuals so they could journey from where they are to where they could be. He understood that the economic gap that we see in West Virginia could best be narrowed by education. His greatest influence was in the area of education. His sphere of influence was not limited to finance, politics or entrepreneurship. He made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families. The educational support has been enhanced with the addition of the Hallie Harless Distinguished Teacher Award honoring outstanding southern West Virginia educators.īuck Harless was truly an iconic individual in West Virginia. 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.
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