Lower School:
Grades K-5
Play, Discover, Invent, Create, Explore
What works in the lower school classroom:
Project-based Learning
Integrated Instruction
Interdisciplinary Studies
Multiple Intelligence Curricula
Lower School Philosophy and Goals
Lower School is a nurturing and active environment where children develop close relationships with their classmates and teachers. With small class sizes, children are able to be active participants in their learning.
Children at this age thrive when they have a place where they belong, have a purpose, and feel safe. Teachers help children find ways to express their ideas and gain confidence in discussions; children are encouraged to ask questions and express their thoughts.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Children in Lower School build a strong base of academic skills through an emphasis on proficient reading, clear and effective writing, and a problem-solving approach to mathematics. Our students develop self-advocacy skills and a genuine love of learning. Students also participate in a variety of special area classes including Creative Arts, Spanish, and daily Physical Education.
Core subject areas are often woven together in long-term studies and projects that provide a depth of knowledge for the students. When children are given the time and space to dig deep into a content area, and when their study crosses disciplines like history and math, they realize true learning that lasts a lifetime.
Lower School students buddy with older students on a frequent basis. Older students provide mentorship to younger students by reading together, helping with interdisciplinary projects, and providing an important touchpoint during all-school recess and other all-school activities.These activities help both the younger and older students to gain confidence in their skills and abilities, and give them the capacity and confidence to contribute to their broader community.
Member of the Kazoo School Faculty since 2025
Member of the Kazoo Faculty Since 2025
Hi, I’m Emily Kuder! I have been a preschool teacher at Kazoo for the past year, and was a Kazoo parent prior to that! I am now making a shift from teaching preschool to teaching Upper Elementary. I am so excited to apply my experience from teaching, behavioral therapy, and homeschooling to my new journey with the Upper Elementary students!
Education
B.A. Psychology (2004) Rhode Island College
Kazoo Faculty since 2021
Since my own kindergarten education began at Kazoo School, I have been deeply influenced by my experiences as a Kazoo kid. During my time as a student here, I learned empathy, curiosity, self-confidence, honesty, commitment, and the importance of care—and had many amazing and challenging experiences in the classroom and in Kleinstuck. After Kazoo, I unschooled myself through high school and found college experiences that led me to grow as a writer and scholar focused on thinking critically about gender, culture, and social justice. In 2021, I joined the Kazoo faculty as a preschool teacher.
My educational philosophy and practice are guided by curiosity and connection. I am deeply committed to progressive education and teaching the whole child. I see students as creative problem solvers who learn actively and enthusiastically when they have agency in their learning and opportunities to connect their interests to the broader world. I am passionate about nature-based learning and love teaching at Kazoo where outdoor education is embraced and supported for all students.
When I’m not at Kazoo, you can find me wandering in the woods, reading, rock climbing, honing my photography skills, and making soup to share with friends and family.
Education
B.A. in Anthropology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from The College of Wooster
Child Development Associate
Member of the Kazoo School Faculty since 2025
Kazoo Faculty since 2014
I am so happy to be back for my ninth year teaching science at Kazoo School! We are in such a wonderful place to explore science and the environment. I am passionate about hands-on learning and making connections with young people.
A little about what got me here- I studied biology at Hope College. As a student, I had a couple of professors who were both inspiring educators and my mentors as a research assistant. This left me with no idea whether I wanted to focus on research or teaching after graduation, so I did both.
I spent many years working in the most amazing places as a wildlife field technician and as a science educator in outdoor schools all over the country. Eventually, I settled in Connecticut where I was a marine science educator and waterfront/sailing director for seven years. In 2014, I moved back to Michigan, closer to my family. When I found Kazoo, I couldn’t believe that I had the opportunity to teach experiential science in a school!
Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my husband, Rob, our son Nolan, and our sweet dog, Charlie. We like to hike and go on walks together, camp, and work in the garden. I love Michigan trips “up north” and to Lake Michigan. We really enjoy our Kalamazoo and Kazoo School communities!
Education
BS Biology, Hope College
Faculty since 2018
I’ve always loved being around and working with children, so teaching elementary school was a natural decision. Their inherent curiosity and enthusiasm brings me great joy. Once I learned about progressive education, I was hooked. It has been a dream to teach within a school that supports that method of teaching and learning, so teaching at Kazoo School is a dream come true.
I have taught in urban, rural, and suburban areas in Kalamazoo and in North Carolina, which has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse array of students. Those experiences have further solidified my commitment to progressive education. When the whole child is supported, they can move mountains.
Education
B.S. in Elementary Education and Spanish from Western Michigan University
Member of the faculty since 2020
Niki has a real gift for making kids feel known. She takes the time to get to know each student- what makes them laugh, what gets them excited, what feels hard, and what helps them feel confident. Her classroom is a place where kids can be themselves, take chances, make mistakes, and try again.
Niki believes that school is about more than academics. Of course, her students learn a lot, but they are also learning how to be kind, thoughtful, resilient people. She talks often about having a growth mindset and helps students see that not knowing something yet is actually a pretty exciting place to start. Mistakes aren't failures in Niki's classroom; they're part of figuring things out.
She also uses the Superflex curriculum to help students understand their own brains and learn how to navigate the many social challenges that come with being a kid.
Niki brings a lot of warmth, humor, and heart to her classroom. She has high expectations for her students, but she also knows that learning doesn't always happen in a straight line. Sometimes you need to try again, ask for help, take a break, laugh about it, and give it another go.
At the end of the day, Niki isn't just teaching her students how to read, write, think, and solve problems. She's helping them learn how to be good humans, take up space in the world, and keep growing into the people they are becoming.
Education
MA, Educational Leadership, WMU
Kazoo School Faculty since 2022
I've always enjoyed being active and being outdoors, which comes from growing up on my parents’ farm. I remember spending the whole day outside, whether it was building forts in the woods or camping during the summer and sledding in the winter. As a parent, I've tried to instill that enjoyment of nature with my children. Needless to say, I'm thrilled to have found a school that incorporates so much outdoor time into their teaching. I know I would have loved to attend Kazoo School growing up and my children are enjoying their time here.
My previous work was dedicated to the science of fitness and physical education. I worked with individuals on their own fitness journeys and with groups of teens to build self esteem through positive physical fitness activities. I know that movement, physical activity and outdoor learning are essential to developing healthy, happy young people.
Prior to coming to Kazoo School, I was a full-time Dad with my two kids. As I worked through my kids’ various struggles I learned a lot about patience and meeting the unique needs of all children. When in the classroom I see each child as an individual on their own educational and social emotional journey.
I began my teaching experience at Kazoo as a substitute teacher and a classroom aide, and then as a full-time assistant and intern in the Primary Classroom (Kindergarten/First Grade). In addition to growing my classroom management skills during this time, I have also been trained in trauma informed teaching practices, structured literacy, restorative justice, and the Engage New York mathematics curriculum.
My educational philosophy can be summed up with this simple but meaningful phrase, “You need to reach me, before you can teach me.” As an educator, I strive to make meaningful connections with my students so they can be seen and honored for who they are as individuals. I also bring a calm, patient, and understanding presence to the classroom. This helps kids feel safe so they can do the hard work of learning new things.
Education
BS in Digital Animation and Game Design from Ferris State University
Associates in Exercise Science and Technology from Oakland Community College
Kazoo School Faculty since 1996
Prior to moving to Kalamazoo in 1996, I lived and taught in Eugene, Oregon and Madison, Wisconsin. I graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1986, having completed an internship teaching at Stone Environmental Schools in Maine and Massachusetts. I received a Fulbright Scholarship for Teaching English, which took me to Strasbourg, France, where I lived and taught English to high school students at the Lycee Louis Pasteur. Upon returning to the U.S. I picked up my outdoor education interests to teach at another residential environmental school, Nature’s Classroom in Connecticut.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1990 with a Master’s degree in Social Work, specializing in Children, Youth and Families, and in 1992 with a second Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
When I moved back to Kalamazoo, I began teaching at Kazoo School in a 1st/2nd grade basegroup. Over the years, I have taught all levels from 1st through 8th grade at Kazoo School and currently teach Upper Elementary students.
Kazoo School has been a perfect fit for my progressive teaching style and philosophy. I see students as active participants, problem solvers, and planners of their own learning. My role is to guide the children on their individual journeys as they become thoughtful problem solvers, motivated critical thinkers, active leaders, respectful collaborators, kind friends, and lifelong learners.
Education
B.A. in Psychology from Kalamazoo College
B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin
M.A. in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin