The Academic Policy Committee is made up of representatives from the business community, parent community, staff, and student population of Highland Academy. 

 Charter 2017

APC MEMBERS

Laura Hilger (CHAIR) - One of the founding members of Highland Academy, and a dedicated staff member until 2013, Laura Hilger has spent her entire career devoted to learning communities and systemic change in a variety of roles. Since 2016, she has been serving as a Director of Teaching and Learning for KnowledgeWorks, which is a non-profit that supports learning communities across the country. Her vision is to help equity and agency become a reality for each and every learner by activating personalized competency-based education systems across the country. She has served on the Highland board for many years as a way to continue to give to the Highland learning community as well as the Anchorage School District. She believes that education is the heartbeat of every community and that when we work together collectively, we can achieve our vision.

 John Trampush (VICE CHAIR) - John has taught social studies, history and educational technology in rural and urban schools across Alaska for over 30 years. He was one of the founders of Highland Tech High School and taught the first half decade there. He is now retired from full time teaching but stays engaged with collaborative teaching and learning through his work with the Alaska Council for the Social Studies, the Alaska Society for Technology in Education- iDidaContest and Highland Academy.

 Shelly Morgan - Shelly Morgan is currently a member of the Highland APC, President of the Highland Academy PTSO, and a K-12 Specialist with the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE). Shelly manages the early college & career exploration programs I Know I Can and Kids2College, connects schools with Early Career Explorer educational resources, and assists upper elementary and middle school classrooms with establishing AKCIS Junior curriculum. Shelly trains volunteers, teachers, campuses, and coordinators in program implementation and best practices. After completing a middle college program during her junior and senior years of high school, Shelly earned her Associate degree in Biology and Multiple Disciplinary Studies from DeAnza College in California. She moved to Santa Cruz, California to complete her Bachelor Degree in Biology and Environmental Studies and spent six years working as a field biologist before moving to Alaska to work for The Nature Conservancy (TNC). While working with TNC, she managed the Board of Trustees, developed a volunteer program, and worked on conservation projects. While volunteering during the Presidential campaign season of 2008, Shelly was hired to the campaign, and shortly after began work in the Alaska State Legislature as staff to Senator Bill Wielechowski. With a young child at home, Shelly knew that her next career interest was to help others find and achieve opportunities, which led to her current position at ACPE, where she has worked since 2011. During her years at ACPE, Shelly has expanded the early college & career exploration resources available, developed a strong volunteer program, and has grown each program from 400 students to approximately 2500 students annually. An avid gardener and student advocate, Shelly enjoys planting seeds, nurturing them, and watching them grow! 

Jim Dube (TREASURER) - Jim has been in K-12 education for 22 years and was part of the team with Denali Borough School District when we made the switch to standards in the early 2000s. For the past six years he's worked for the Lake & Peninsula School District, which last year celebrated 20 years as a Standards Based district. He is a firm believer in this model and is proud to be a part of the APC supporting the fine work of the Highland staff.

Todd Burningham (SECRETARY)

Robin Brosius (PTSO LIAISON)

Kelly Daugherty 

Philippe Janicka