J.G. Follansbee

The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, Wash., has named Pamela Roberts director of education and services administrator. Roberts comes to the position with over 33 years of educational experience, including work as a university faculty member, public school principal, teacher, and educational consultant. Roberts earned her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Teaching Certification from the University of Washington. She is a former faculty member of Washington State University Extension in Port Hadlock and former faculty cellist of the University of Puget Sound.

In the role of Director of Education, Roberts will lead the exploration of current and best instructional practices, including curriculum development. Roberts has expressed a strong affinity for the school’s educational mission of teaching and preserving the skills and craft associated with wooden boatbuilding with an emphasis on the development of the individual as a craftsperson. The Boat School has established an international reputation as one of the finest schools of its kind. With a capacity of 55 students, it is one of the largest wooden boat-building schools in the United States.

“The Boat School’s instructors have been teaching boatbuilding students for a combined total of over 80 years – this represents an extraordinary level of expertise,” said Roberts. Her first student recruitment activities begin this spring, providing school tours for students from around the world. Roberts plans to increase enrollment of students from the Olympic Peninsula by reaching out to vocational teachers and high school students who show promise in their vocational studies. “We are thrilled about a new partnership with our local high school vocational teachers that will expand scholarship opportunities for local students to attend the Boat School.”