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Faculty
Susan (Usha) Dermond
B.A., M.A., M.L.S. www.susandermond.com
School Director
Susan has directed the Living Wisdom School since its founding in 1997. She taught in both the elementary and middle school programs in the first Education for Life School in Nevada City, California for twelve years. She has also taught high school English and reading and worked as a librarian in public schools. Susan is a minister of the Ananda Sangha.
Usha's book, Calm and Compassionate Children, A Handbook, is
published by Celestial Arts. To read more about it, you can go to her
web site: www.susandermond.com
Click here to hear Susan's book interview
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Karen Busch
B.S., M.S.
Teacher
Karen has been teaching since 1987. She has taught pre-school through high school, in both city schools and rural Eskimo villages. Her experience includes mixed-age and single grade classrooms, in regular, special education, and talented/gifted programs. Karen loves to read her class the Sarah, Plain and Tall series and Alphabet Adventure by Audrey Wood.
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Sandra Goodwin
B.A., M.A.
Assistant Director
Sandi had eight years' experience teaching grades 4-8 in public schools in northern California before joining the Living Wisdom School staff. She especially loves math, the sciences, and outdoor education. Comparing our school to others where she has taught, Sandi says, "At the Living Wisdom Schools the individuality of each child is allowed and encouraged to express itself creatively. I value the fact that high academic performance is desired, but not at the expense of the child's heart. Most of all, I love the joyful centeredness and selfless kindness that I have seen in the children." Frindle is one of Sandi's favorite read-alouds.
An article by Sandi: "Teaching at Living Wisdom School"
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Helen Gorman
Graduate of Merkura, Wil, Switzerland
Teacher
Helen has seven years experience working with early childhood and primary
students. She is tri-lingual and introduces Kindergarteners to French.
Helen loves working with natural materials such as pine cones, leaves,
and rocks, and brings them into the classroom for kindergartners to use
in their creations. Favorite books of Helen's include Grandad's Prayers
of the Earth by Douglas Wood, and My Mama Had a Dancing Heart,
by Libba Moore Gray. |
Sonali Gupta
Graduate of Gujarat University
Teacher
For eight years, before having her two children, Sonali worked as a systems analyst and an IT professional supporting GIS software She also developed and supported many training programs for adults. Sonali began volunteering at both Living Wisdom School and in the Beaverton public schools in 2003. She is a "natural" with primary age students.
Sonali agrees with the Sri Aurobindo concept of education as evolving the potentials of a child in the same way as nature evolves a tree out of a seed.
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Lorna Knox B.S.N.
Teacher
After a career in nursing and health education, Lorna served as education
director at the Ananda Temple for more than 10 years and developed a
curriculum that eventually was published: I Came From Joy! Spiritual
Affirmations and Activities for Children. Her second book is Scary
News: 12 Ways to Raise Joyful Children When the Headlines are Full of
Fear. With her husband, she has homeschooled their 3 children (ages
19, 15 and 11) for more than 12 years while actively supporting the
Living Wisdom School, and Lorna taught in the primary class part-time
during the 06-07 school year. She says, “The children in Living
Wisdom feel secure and supported, so they don’t hesitate to express
themselves and try new things, which is really fun for teachers.”
Lorna especially loves to teach history and find fun ways to encourage
children to write.
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Trina Gardner
B.S.
Teacher
Trina began teaching in 1990 and has taught several ages, from pre-K through high-school kids. She is the mother of three, all Living Wisdom students! Trina's philosophy and practice in Early Childhood Education is based on Education For Life and is influenced by the Reggio Approach and her experiences as a parent. Trina's joy in and love of teaching comes from seeing children recognize their inner joy. Two of Trina's favorite read-alouds are Blueberries for Sal and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
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