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A profoundly dedicated community of teachers, parents, and specialists realize Swallowtail's rich curriculum each year. Below are some brief introductions to a few of the wonderfully creative personalities that comprise Swallowtail's faculty and staff: Early Childhood - Grades 1-6 - Middle School - Specialty Teachers Ms. Cecelia- Early Childhood Coordinator Ms. Cecelia has been educating the young child for the last 12 years. She has worked with all ages of the developing child, but has an extensive background working in the Early Childhood. Ms. Cecelia helped create and expand Swallowtail's early childhood program, and served as the Lead Kindergarten Teacher for 7 years. Working with the young child truly brings joy to her life! She also embraced the business life of the school by working as the Faculty Chair for 5 years. Both of these roles gave her a real picture of the work involved with running a school. Ms. Cecelia's journey to Waldorf Education, began in Eugene, Oregon where she received her formal teacher training. Every year she has continued her education, learning and growing with other seasoned teachers, to further inspire her work with the children. Most recently she completed coursework at the Sound Circle Teacher, and the Rudolf Steiner College. Ms. Cecelia loves to laugh, travel, and spend quality time with her family. She recently has become a mother, and will be continuing her work alongside other parents in our Lavender Garden Parenting Circle. Mr. Justin- Pre-School Instructor Mr. Justin received degrees in Elementary Education and Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago. After graduating he spent time traveling in the United States, Canada, and Europe playing music in mostly small, smoky clubs. He has taught children from preschool through eighth grade in both public and private settings and feels he has found his place in Waldorf Education. He has continued his education with John Miles at the Micha-el Institute in Portland. At Swallowtail School, Mr. Justin loves being the lead teacher in the Lavender Garden Preschool. He also works with the Resting Star children in the afternoons. Mr. Justin enjoys playing guitar, banjo, and piano. Hiking, bike riding, camping, and gardening are all activities he has been especially excited about since moving to Oregon in 2006. Ms. Jessica- Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Jessica grew up in Nebraska and became fascinated with child development while studying Psychology at the University there. She came to Oregon in the fall of 2001, after many years of longing to surround herself with the diverse landscape and wilderness this magical place offers. Swallowtail welcomed her as an assistant in Ms. Ingrid's then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade combined class, where she was astonished at the dedication of the teachers, and the ruddy cheeks, wide smiles, kindness, and peacefulness the children carried. The way the curriculum approached the child in an artistic and imaginative way encouraged them to make discoveries and be joyful in their learning. She realized in that first impression that this was the way she wanted to teach and the humans she wanted to surround herself with. When she is not teaching, Ms. Jessica loves to be in the forest with her husband Kris and young son, Kassidy. Ms. Ingrid- 1st/2nd Instructor Ms. Ingrid has been with Swallowtail School since its inception in 1995. From the beginning she worked hand in hand with the founder of the school inside the classroom as well as with its broader development. Her study of Waldorf education was inspired from a parent's search in finding a 'different' education for her own 2 children and has continued over the years in more formal settings at the Micha-el Institute, Sound Circle Institute, and the Rudolf Steiner College. Entering her 13th year at Swallowtail Ms. Ingrid has taught children of many age groups from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade and has served as a Lead Teacher for over 10 years. Ms. Ingrid holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Oregon. Ms. Amy- 3rd/4th Instructor Amy was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her BA in Elementary Education from St. Andrew's College in North Carolina. She moved to Portland in 1998 and two years later found the Micha'el Institute, a Waldorf teacher training program. She completed the three year training in 2003 and joined the Swallowtail faculty in the fall of 2003. Ms. Christina- 5th/6th Instructor Ms. Christina has been involved with Waldorf education as a parent and/or teacher for 14 years. She has a BA in English and a state teaching credential. She has a wide variety of teaching experience and great enthusiasm for the Waldorf methods and curriculum. Outside of the classroom and family, Christina loves to dance, do yoga, garden, write and read. Mr. Jeffrey- 7th/8th Instructor Mr. Jeffrey has taught a variety of grades during his years as an educator. He instructed art seasonally for a number of years before taking a position as an English teacher with a French/American school. In 2005 he joined the faculty at Swallowtail School and has been developing a deeper understanding of Waldorf education ever since. Mr. Jeffrey graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Oregon College of Art & Craft. Ms. Jean (senora Juanita)- Spanish Instructor Senora Juanita completed two weeks of intensive course work in advanced Spanish Language, in Malaga, Spain, in the summer of 2007. She has now had the opportunity to experience Spanish in the four major Spanish speaking regions: Mexico, South America, Spain and The United States. 
Copyright 2000-2008 Swallowtail School, Inc. |
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