Kazoo School Faculty since 2008

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“Education is a journey, not a race.” – Rudolf Steiner
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

These two quotes have always been a big part of how I think about education. I believe children need a place where they have ownership over their learning, where their ideas are listened to, and where they know their thoughts matter.

When you walk into a Kazoo classroom, you might notice that learning doesn’t always look like what you remember from school. You’ll see teachers listening closely to students, following up on questions that come out of nowhere, documenting a connection a child just made, or noticing what sparks their curiosity. We pay attention to what kids are interested in and what they are trying to figure out, and we use those things to help guide their learning.

One of the things I am most passionate about is literacy. I love teaching children to read and watching the moment when something finally clicks—the little look that says, “Wait…I can DO this!” Learning to read takes a lot of practice, but I don’t think it has to mean sitting still and filling out worksheets. I love making literacy hands-on whenever I can. We build words, move things around, play with sounds, use games and movement, and find lots of ways to get our hands and brains involved. There is something pretty magical about watching a child go from working so hard to sound out a word to suddenly picking up a book and reading it on their own.

I also love that at Kazoo, learning doesn’t have to happen inside four walls. Our pavilions and the woods are an important part of the way we learn. Kids might be reading, writing, doing math, having a conversation, working on a project, or following a question outdoors. The woods become a place to observe, wonder, investigate, move, take risks, and make connections. Learning outside gives children room to be curious and engaged in a different way, and I think there is something pretty special about watching a group of kids turn a walk through the woods into a science lesson, a story, a math problem, or simply an opportunity to notice the world around them.

Every child learns in their own way, and part of our job is to help children become intrinsically motivated learners—kids who are curious, ask questions, want to know how things work, and keep looking for answers. That, to me, is a Kazoo School kid.

And I should know! I am a Kazoo School kid myself. My brother started at Kazoo halfway through his kindergarten year—the same year I was born. Some of my earliest memories are of the Kazoo community, and my mom and stepdad even met through Kazoo School. I’ve found throughout my life that all roads seem to lead back to Kazoo—not Rome!

Outside of school, I’m spending time with my grand-kitty and enjoying the great outdoors. I really do think Kazoo is a pretty special place for kids and families to grow and learn together, and I’m so glad you’re here. Enjoy the journey!

Education

B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University