Janet Kanongata’a Janet Kanongata’a doesn’t want her students to simply strive for an A. Instead, she wants them to embrace education because they love learning.

As the principal at Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education Charter School, Kanongata’a, known by most as Mrs. K, worked to foster this philosophy.

But as she retires from her leadership post, she said she’s ready to let the next generation mold education with CAPE’s progressive learning concept.

“I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t think the future would be bright,” she said. “This is my dream, and I wanted to make sure everything was successful before I left. It will be difficult to let go, but I know I’m leaving it in good hands.”

Kanongata’a, whose surname is of Polynesian origin, attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in education. She worked in part-time teaching positions while she raised her five children. Then, in 1988, she became a second-grade teacher at Bedford Open Elementary School in Camarillo.

She’s lived in Camarillo for 25 years, and three of her children attended Bedford Open.

After Kanongata’a earned her administrative credential and her master’s degree at Cal State Northridge she became principal at Bedford. When the school merged with Los Nogales Elementary School to create Los Senderos, Kanongata retained the position of principal.

The district threatened to close the school in 2007 due to budget cuts, but parents and teachers petitioned for it to remain open.

Their efforts resulted in CAPE Charter School, a public school for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Families do not pay to send their children there. A charter school is authorized by a school district to offer an alternative to the traditional education program. CAPE is chartered through Oxnard Union High School District.

CAPE’s doors opened for the 2007-08 school year. Principal Kanongata’a says it was the proudest accomplishment of her career.

The program at CAPE is a progressive philosophy-style of teaching. Kanongata’a describes it as a child-centered and projectbased education that inspires children to learn because they want to and not for an end result. For example, teachers never award stickers or prizes for good work.

“We want kids to want to learn and be excited about learning,” Kanongata’a said. “It’s learning for their own sake and not for an outside award.”

The school emphasizes the arts and hands-on learning. It also offers sports, band and two robotics teams. Children are taught to be active citizens and volunteer in their community.

“It’s the difference between reading about something in a book and experiencing it,” Kanongata’a said of the education philosophy at CAPE. “It’s one of the keys to academic success because they’re not just being given back answers on a test. We find our kids remember things for far longer and it’s of greater importance to them.”

Kanongata’a said the school’s teachers and staff are passionate about the educational philosophy and have made sacrifices to work there: Giving up tenure and a teachers union are among those sacrifices.

Kanongata’a said teachers address the students’ social, academic and emotional needs. Because students know teachers on a personal level, respect is fostered and discipline is rarely necessary, Kanongata’a said.

“(The teachers) came here because they believe this is how we should teach,” she said.

Parents of the students are involved and volunteer at the school, Kanongata’a said.

“”This is a team effort,” she said. “We could not exist if we didn’t have parent, teacher and staff support. We really are a big family.”

Kanongata’a will serve as a consultant at the school for two years until she fully retires. Her former role will be filled by codirectors instead of a principal, which is common for charter schools. The current director of operation, Doreen Learned, and the current director of education, Maryellen Lang, will assume their new leadership positions at the beginning of the school year.

Although leaving the school she helped build from the ground up will be bittersweet, Kanongata’a said, she looks forward to spending more time with her 10 grandchildren. The school is now stable and has a waiting list for each grade, so she knows she can leave and it will continue to grow and be successful.

“I’m just really proud of everybody here and the people who were willing to take a stand for what they believe in,” Kanongata’a said. “They were successful and this has been an amazing, joyful experience for me.”