My mother Bjorg Magnussen (1945-2001) was my inspiration for co-founding Magnussen School. She dedicated her life to placing the care of others before herself. From her I learned the values of education and unconditional respect for all. In 2001, I enrolled at the University of British Columbia and completed two Bachelors Degrees in Psychology and Education with a concentration in Special Education. Through my studies in Special Education, I was introduced to Howard Eaton and his work with students and learning disabilities. In 2005, I accepted a teacher position at the Eaton Arrowsmith School and trained as a Cognitive teacher through the Arrowsmith Program in Toronto. In 2006, Howard and I co-founded Magnussen School with my mother’s wisdom at heart. I dedicated myself to establishing a school that extinguishes the struggle that some students feel from education and rebuilds the self-confidence too often lost in traditional learning environments. My vision was to create a school of excellence which would educate and nurture each child as an individual.
I am a Brooklyn, New York native. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science and Human Biology at Cornell University. I then studied at New York Presbyterian: The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, leading up to the professional certification of Registered Dietitian. After that experience I relocated to rural upstate New York to teach nutrition education courses and there I discovered my passion for teaching while leading an elementary age student group. I soon enrolled in Columbia University’s Teachers College where I completed a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education with Middle School Extension in the area of science instruction. I relocated to British Columbia in 2006 and began teaching at Magnussen School in 2007. I found that my philosophy of educational care aligned with what Kristin Harbut had established. In January 2009, I accepted Kristin’s recommendation and became the School’s Principal. To me, Magnussen School has brought to life all my dreams of what education should be: Small classroom sizes, regular parent communication, and a great deal of personal attention given to each student’s social and academic growth. It’s with great honour and respect, that I afford the opportunity to lead this institution towards a successful future.
I received my B.A. degree in 2004, majoring in English Literature and minoring in History. Although it was my goal throughout university to go on and finish a second degree in Education, I decided to take a few years in between to work at a small private school as the office administrator and lunch hour supervisor, while also volunteering with various children’s programs in the city. I finished my B.Ed degree, specializing in English and Social Studies and went on to work as a teacher on call for the Richmond School District. While working for Richmond, I came across the opportunity to join Magnussen School and it is with great pleasure that I take on the challenge of teaching science and language arts while connecting with each student. It is my goal as a teacher to encourage student-centred activities in the classroom, appealing to a variety of learning strengths and interests, so that every member of the class might find a way to engage with the topics. I have a great many interests that I hope to contribute in various ways to Magnussen School; I bring with me a background in fine arts, crafting, sewing, and writing.
Science and teaching are my greatest passions. In 2008, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC, majoring in Biology. I have always been attracted to the instructional and inspirational aspects of science and decided to pursue a career in teaching. In 2009, I graduated from the UBC Bachelor of Education program with a degree in Secondary science education, majoring in Biological sciences. When I came across the opportunity to work at Magnussen, I knew that I found a school that fit with my teaching styles and philosophies. This school also gave me the chance to go to and experience one of Gordon Neufeld’s workshops. His theories and tools for emotional development and healthy attachment have given me amazing insight and have set a solid foundation for my personal and professional growth. I am thrilled to be teaching science at Magnussen School and am looking forward to working with the talented and unique students and caring staff. I also hope that my broad interests in life such as in music, cooking, gardening, fitness, hiking, philosophy and technology (just to name a few) will serve as an inspiration in the school community.
Howard Eaton, Ed.M, Director
Howard Eaton is the founder of the Eaton Arrowsmith School and the Eaton Brain Improvement Centre. He has been a Sessional Instructor at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Educational Psychology and Special Education. He teaches courses on Learning Disabilities/Differences at UBC to public and private school teachers in British Columbia. Howard Eaton is also an author and public speaker on issues pertaining to learning differences. The Magnussen School has been the creation of both Howard Eaton (Director) and Kristin Harbut (Principal/Teacher). For other companies that Howard Eaton has developed visit www.eatoneducationalgroup.com.
Inquiring They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thoughtful: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicative: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Adventurous: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
My mother Bjorg Magnussen (1945-2001) was my inspiration for co-founding Magnussen School. She dedicated her life to placing the care of others before herself. From her I learned the values of education and unconditional respect for all. In 2001, I enrolled at the University of British Columbia and completed two Bachelors Degrees in Psychology and Education with a concentration in Special Education. Through my studies in Special Education, I was introduced to Howard Eaton and his work with students and learning disabilities. In 2005, I accepted a teacher position at the Eaton Arrowsmith School and trained as a Cognitive teacher through the Arrowsmith Program in Toronto. In 2006, Howard and I co-founded Magnussen School with my mother’s wisdom at heart. I dedicated myself to establishing a school that extinguishes the struggle that some students feel from education and rebuilds the self-confidence too often lost in traditional learning environments. My vision was to create a school of excellence which would educate and nurture each child as an individual. 
I am a Brooklyn, New York native. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science and Human Biology at Cornell University. I then studied at New York Presbyterian: The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, leading up to the professional certification of Registered Dietitian. After that experience I relocated to rural upstate New York to teach nutrition education courses and there I discovered my passion for teaching while leading an elementary age student group. I soon enrolled in Columbia University’s Teachers College where I completed a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education with Middle School Extension in the area of science instruction. I relocated to British Columbia in 2006 and began teaching at Magnussen School in 2007. I found that my philosophy of educational care aligned with what Kristin Harbut had established. In January 2009, I accepted Kristin’s recommendation and became the School’s Principal. To me, Magnussen School has brought to life all my dreams of what education should be: Small classroom sizes, regular parent communication, and a great deal of personal attention given to each student’s social and academic growth. It’s with great honour and respect, that I afford the opportunity to lead this institution towards a successful future.
I received my B.A. degree in 2004, majoring in English Literature and minoring in History. Although it was my goal throughout university to go on and finish a second degree in Education, I decided to take a few years in between to work at a small private school as the office administrator and lunch hour supervisor, while also volunteering with various children’s programs in the city. I finished my B.Ed degree, specializing in English and Social Studies and went on to work as a teacher on call for the Richmond School District. While working for Richmond, I came across the opportunity to join Magnussen School and it is with great pleasure that I take on the challenge of teaching science and language arts while connecting with each student. It is my goal as a teacher to encourage student-centred activities in the classroom, appealing to a variety of learning strengths and interests, so that every member of the class might find a way to engage with the topics. I have a great many interests that I hope to contribute in various ways to Magnussen School; I bring with me a background in fine arts, crafting, sewing, and writing.
Science and teaching are my greatest passions. In 2008, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC, majoring in Biology. I have always been attracted to the instructional and inspirational aspects of science and decided to pursue a career in teaching. In 2009, I graduated from the UBC Bachelor of Education program with a degree in Secondary science education, majoring in Biological sciences. When I came across the opportunity to work at Magnussen, I knew that I found a school that fit with my teaching styles and philosophies. This school also gave me the chance to go to and experience one of Gordon Neufeld’s workshops. His theories and tools for emotional development and healthy attachment have given me amazing insight and have set a solid foundation for my personal and professional growth. I am thrilled to be teaching science at Magnussen School and am looking forward to working with the talented and unique students and caring staff. I also hope that my broad interests in life such as in music, cooking, gardening, fitness, hiking, philosophy and technology (just to name a few) will serve as an inspiration in the school community.
Howard Eaton is the founder of the 
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