Let me introduce you...
Next year, we welcome 61 returning staff to Oak Farm, with four staff concluding their tenure this past spring. We say goodbye to Macy McNaughton from Upper 3, Caleb Teder from the High School program, Kyle Black the Elementary and Middle School PE teacher, and Jodi Lambert the Primary 4 lead teacher. We wish all of these educators the very best in their next endeavors. They have each invested in Oak Farm’s students and made valuable contributions to our school, and we thank them for their years of supporting the Oak Farm mission. This year, we welcome several new faculty to our community including two secondary program teachers, an Upper Elementary teacher and a Primary assistant. We also see two faculty moving into new roles within Oak Farm; Bridget York has taken over as the Director of Curriculum and Student Services and Diana McCreery will be leading the Primary 4 classroom this year. High School Rikki Colon formerly led the Business and Entrepreneurship program at the Crossings School in Fort Wayne. This experience will assist her in her new role of high school Language Arts and Careers Advisement teacher. Wesley Kromer will join us as the High School Science teacher after recently graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. Middle School Misty Schoof most recently taught at Garrett High School and brings her love of reading and writing to the Oak Farm middle school where she will lead English and Humanities. Elementary Elizabeth Danielson comes to us with 15 years of teaching experience and joins April VanOsdale in the Upper 3 classroom. Early Childhood Stacia Diggins, current Oak Farm parent and former substitute teacher, began her Montessori traning this summer and will join Diana McCreery in the P4 classroom as an assistant. So, flip the pages to learn more about our new staff and join me in welcoming them to Oak Farm as we begin our 20th year and celebrate what the future holds in store!
Candice
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Wesley Kromer Doe High School Science Teacher
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• Recently graduated from Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan and I received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology.
I worked with the Au Sable Institute where I was able to teach students about the earth through natural interpretation.
• Originally from Northern Ohio, the Warbler Capital of the World • If I couldn’t be a teacher, I think I would choose to be a farmer. I think it would be fun and rewarding to raise sheep and grow vegetables.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I am excited to learn more along with students and put the newfound knowledge into action for the good of our community. I love to see the learning process carried out until the end, until the “Aha!” moment hits. ”
Help students understand the importance of watershed to design and build a native plant garden as a community and ecosystem project.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I am passionate about investing in young people as they journey through their education. I see the great potential of students to work hard, gain practical knowledge and skills, and solve problems larger than themselves. I am excited to be a part of the learning process at Oak Farm. ”
HOBBIES
Biking
Gardening
Bird Watching
“Aha” Moments
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Rikki Colon Doe
High School Language Arts & College and Careers Advisement Teacher ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I am very passionate about taking care of oneself; physically and mentally.
Site Leader for the Crossing School of Business and Entrepreneurship in Fort Wayne.
• Pushing myself physically helps me refocus mentally and set new goals. • If I had to make a career change I would become a personal trainer. • I love to help people reach their goals in order to improve their quality of life.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I am most excited about working in collaboration with other adult learners as well as the challenge of learning and implementing the Montessori approach to teaching. ”
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I’m excited to be a part of the Oak Farm
community; where students are valued as individuals with unique experiences and learning styles. I am eager to help facilitate building a culture where they find their work relevant to the world around them. ”
HOBBIES
Meditation
Battle Ropes
Tire Training
Smash Ball
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Misty SchoofDoe Middle School English & Humanities Teacher e
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I have been married 10 years to my husband Jericho
Graduate of Boise State University
• We have two children: Gray, our son, who is 5 years old and Roan, our daughter, who is 6 months old.
Teacher at Warsaw Community Schools for five years Teacher at Garrett High School for three years
• If I could choose another career, it would be to beome a professional writer. • I attend Dayspring church in Auburn.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I’m excited about everything! I look forward to learing about the Montessoi teaching pilosophy and I can’t wait to get to know the students, staff and Oak Farm family. I feel so blessed to be a part of the team! ”
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“ I believe that every child deserves to
learn in an environment with encouraging mentors that value autonomy, collaboration and self discovery. ”
HOBBIES
Reading
Bicycling
Bible Study
Writing
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Elizabeth Danielson Upper Elementary 3 Co-Teacherohn Doe
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I grew up in Fort Wayne
I have been an educator for 15 years
• I have been married 11 years to my husband, Erik
Teacher for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades at Franke Park Elementary School in Fort Wayne
• We have two children: Our daughter, Audrey, who is seven and our son, Eli, who is five. • If I had a different career, it would be in interior design. My friends and family are always asking me for advice on home design.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
I consider myself a lifelong learner and that’s one of the reasons I love being a teacher. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of such a unique learning community. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and also learning from the students, staff and families of Oak Farm. ”
Literacy Interventionist for grades K-5 at Franke Park Elementary School
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I visited Oak Farm for the first time in May and was so impressed with the learning environment and community. During my visit it was evident to me that my core teaching philosophies fit right in with Oak Farm’s mission to help kids reach their potential through meaningful work. ”
HOBBIES
Travel
Laughter
Audio Books
Cooking
Long Walks
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Stacia Diggins Doe Primary 4 Assistant Teacher
ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and attended a Montessori School as a child.
Apparel Merchandising background with a Fine Arts Degree.
• My husband, Stephen, and I have two chidlren; Sophie who is 7 and Spencer who is 4. • I danced ballet for 13 years! • If I were not teaching I would be back in the fashion industry as an apparel merchandiser.
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
Working with the kids in the classroom and being able to share my new knowledge of Montessori through my training to help the kids learn and grown in a natural environment. ”
Substitute Teacher in Toddlers and Primary at Oak Farm. Instructional Assistant at Wayne Center Elementary School for 2 years Currently attending Seton Montessori Institute for Early Education
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
I want to provide an environment for the children that is independent, nurturing and educationally prepared to give a hands-on learning experience. ”
HOBBIES
Biking
Cooking
Working Out
Family & Friends
e l o R New Bridget York
Director of Curriculum & Student Services Secondary Program Director ABOUT ME
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• I have been at Oak Farm since 2013
I have been teaching Montessori for 23 years and started with Primary students.
• My husband, Jamie, and I have traveled to 54 countries on 5 continents!
Trained by Dr. Elizabeth Coe at Houston Montessori Center in Secondary I-II in 1999
• I also love to travel with the students at Oak Farm. I have gone on the 8th grade trip to NY six times and to West Virginia with the high school • I am fascinated by art, history, culture and would love to be a museum curator
THE JOURNEY AHEAD
“
It is thrilling to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on young poeple from 6 weeks to 18 years old, families and teachers. I believe that together we are making Lorene’s vision a reality and Oak Farm is a model for Montessori Programs throughout the world. ”
Lead Teacher for FWCS from 1999-2013 I have been teaching in the Secondary Program at Oak Farm since 2013
WHY JOIN THE TEAM?
“
The opportunity to work with students at every level is what has drawn me to this new position and use my Master’s in Education Administration to support our important work. I always say, “I am so lucky to go to school at Oak Farm!” ”
HOBBIES
Travel
Culture
History
Arts