As principal of Kailua Intermediate School we successfully implemented the middle school philosophy. As a faculty, we worked with our staff and parents to reduce bullying and harassment by 70% over a two year period. We tackled challenges directly believing that transparency and genuine conversations with the entire school community helped to create an exemplary middle school. Our goal was to provide an education for students that would allow them to make a smooth transition to high school where they could earn credits to receive a high school diploma and then move on to college and career. We want students to choose to do something they are passionate about and not something by default.