When identified, our educational support team collaborates with students, parents, and teachers to develop and implement Individualized Support Plans that cater to each student’s needs, including neuropsychological evaluations, tutoring, therapeutic eurythmy, and other supportive services. This holistic approach ensures that all students, regardless of their learning profile, are equipped to reach their fullest potential and confidently transition into their post-secondary pursuits.
Educational Support Teacher kalagna@smwaldorf.org
Educational Support Coordinator kkent@smwaldorf.org
High School and Middle School Counselor
Educational Resource Teacher
In Early Childhood, the educational support team takes a supportive, more peripheral role, offering direct support if a child’s needs are pronounced.
In grades 1-5, the educational support team works closely with classroom teachers and employs various instructional models, including pushing into classrooms to assist with key concepts or pulling out small groups for targeted support.
Additionally, our educational team engages with parents and students assigned Individualized Support Plans (ISPs). They also recommend services beyond what the school offers to ensure neurodiverse students receive the necessary support and develop self-advocacy skills. These services may include neuropsychological testing, tutoring, therapeutic eurythmy, play therapy, and/or anthroposophical medicine.
In middle school, the educational support team guides students through their transition to more independent learning. Beginning in 6th grade, we introduce an Academic Lab period, a dedicated time for students to identify and seek specific support. This may include practical skills such as using a planner and organizing materials or academic assistance in particular subjects. Middle school students also participate in math and language arts blocks, with specialists in those areas. The educational support team utilizes both push-in and pull-out strategies to provide reinforcement where needed.
In high school, educational support continues to nurture each student’s growth as they navigate a more complex curriculum and prepare for post-secondary paths.
Our high school faculty focuses on both academic and personal development and employs a blend of support during classes and specialized sessions to address individual needs. This might include targeted assistance with advanced coursework, organizational strategies, or study skills. Faculty members also work closely with students to refine their self-advocacy skills, guiding them in using their unique tools and strategies to manage their learning effectively.
“I feel like one of the really important things that you get out of a Waldorf education is curiosity—curiosity to go and learn and explore what’s out there in the world. I fell into engineering and a path that I don’t think I would have anticipated, but having an arts background where you’re bringing creativity and imagination into problem-solving, there’s a really incredible synergy between those.”
