Leadership & Staff

The Common School’s collaborative leadership model incorporates over 60 years of knowledge and insight about children’s education and the tools kids need to thrive.

Our skilled teaching staff guides and supports students while encouraging them to work independently and take ownership of their own learning. Teachers develop unique curricula full of meaningful and memorable learning experiences for every grade level. They take an active role in students’ learning, working alongside them on classroom floors to construct model bridges for a math lesson, helping them act out stories at reading time, and getting messy mixing paint or conducting experiments during science class. This spirit of play and creativity and unwavering dedication to each child shows students firsthand the joys of learning and discovery.

Co-Heads

The School is excited to operate under a new collaborative leadership model. Together, the leadership team brings over 60 years of Common School experience to its partnership, along with a shared passion for the mission of the School. Two individuals make up The Common School’s Co-Head leadership team, each with their own area of focus: Dana Kadish, Admissions and Family Relations; and Linda Donnelly, Curriculum and Instruction.

Dana Kadish
Director of Admissions and Family Relations
outreach@commonschool.org

Linda Donnelly
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
linda@commonschool.org

Staff

outreach@commonschool.org
Education:
B.A., University of Massachusetts
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts
Started at The Common School:
1998
Outside interests:
Physical fitness, reading, gardening and being by the ocean as much as possible
What brought you to The Common School?
I first came to The Common School as a graduate student. I was seeking a student teaching position and had heard what an amazing, progressive learning environment The Common School was. I had also heard that The Common School greatly valued Early Childhood Education, which was unusual. And, it was true, I quickly learned that The Common School deeply values the early years of a child’s development and strives to protect the integrity of childhood- a value near and dear to my heart.
What do you like best about The Common School?
It is hard to choose just one thing- I could talk about my love for The Common School all day. That said, I would say the incredible sense of community, kindness, and caring that is created among our multi-age student body.
(she/her)
linda@commonschool.org
Education:
B.A., Illinois State University
M.Ed., Boston University
Ed. S., Specialty in Language and Literacy, Simmons College
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Professional Licences:
Elementary (K-6)
Middle School (5-9)
Reading Specialist (All Levels)
Sheltered English Immersion Teacher Endorsement
Certifications:
Level 1 EmPOWER Architects for Learning
Wilson Level I Wilson Language Institute
American Montessori Society (6-12) Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies
Started at The Common School:
1985
Outside interests:Time with family and friends, dogs (have raised 14 dogs for people with disabilities for Canine Companions for Independence and have participated in multiple dog sports-agility, Rally, obedience, tracking), reading, sea kayaking, walking along the beach, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, swimming, bicycling, roots of racial injustice, nature.
What brought you to The Common School?
I had taught in several alternative programs and schools and wanted to settle into a teaching position that would allow me to grow and develop my burgeoning skills in a progressive school. I loved the setting of the school and its approach to in-depth, integrated studies, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with thoughtful, smart, and creative colleagues. The day I came for my interview as an applicant for the E1 Associate, the skies opened up. Thunder and lightning was the backdrop for an exciting conversation with Kirsten Kaiser, Kate Lamdin, and Mark Segar. How could I pass up the job offer that followed?
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
One? There are so many!
Perhaps it is the time that the Larch Hill Collaborative received a gift from Gordy and Anne Thorne of 30 pairs of kid-sized snowshoes. I spontaneously took a bunch of E2ers snowshoeing during Choice time and then stepped inside and taught a language lesson. Yes, we can do that at The Common School, even with upper elementary students.
Another might be taking students to the Fort River as part of E2’s new “river” study. They were so knowledgeable and curious about figuring out if the nearby river was healthy or not.
And still another might be the time that the E2 students and teachers worked with farmer Hans Leo at Bramble Hill Farm to try to determine why The Common School pumpkin crop was so low that year. We studied the insects that had eaten much of the yield and made a proposal to Hans about how he might protect next years’ pumpkins from a similar fate, using organic means of course!
OK, there’s one more. I loved taking E2 students through the process of studying nutrition as part of a study of botany and food security. The students then learned about SNAP benefits and developed a healthy menu for a family of four. They then took buses to various area grocers to see if those meals were affordable on a SNAP budget. The answer was no. We presented our findings to Rep. Jim McGovern and he thought the kids should be elected to Congress. I have loved seeing the ways my colleagues have further developed the food justice aspects of this study. We are continually building and revising our in-depth studies as we see new possibilities.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I still love the setting, my great colleagues, the in-depth studies, and the amazing families who come our way. I love the way the School lives its mission each and every day.
businessoffice@commonschool.org
Education:
B.A., University of Massachusetts
M.A., University of Massachusetts
Started at The Common School:
2021 (Also, a parent from 2008-2017)
Outside interests:
Being somewhere near the ocean with my family and friends, walking on the trails of Shutesbury and cooking!
What brought you to The Common School?
I was an Associate Teacher in E1 for 3 years in the late 90s after finishing up in grad school. About a decade or so later, when my husband and I became parents, we decided to send our daughter to The Common School. Alexis started in the Blue Nursery in 2008 and graduated from E2 in 2017. I am back at The Common School as the Business Manager and it is amazing to be back at a place I hold near and dear to my heart!
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love that The Common School offers education with a purpose. Children are running up the walk way every day curious and eager to make an impact on their community. The Common School is there to support and offer their students a safe place to explore and satisfy their curiosity. I know from our own personal experience what a gem of a place this was for our daughter. Thanks to The Common School in part, she is a more caring, nurturing, determined person and a learner.
emma@commonschool.org
Education:
M.Ed. University of San Fransisco
Started at The Common School:
I have been at The Common School many times over, as a Nursery-E2 student, an after school teacher in high school, and a SummerFun teacher in college. I joined The Common School in this season of my life in 2022 as The SummerFun Director and a math intervention teacher.
Outside interests:I love exploring the valley with my kids especially through little field trips to farms, restaurants, orchards and ice cream stands. We also love to immerse ourselves in all kinds of water, oceans, lakes, streams and pools! In my quiet time I love to read and relax.
What brought you to The Common School?
I can never be too far from The Common School and when my son, Jonah joined the Green Nursery in 2021, I was so thrilled at the opportunity to come back to my happy place.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
I have loved every second of doing math with my students but perhaps the best moment was when we had our math picnic party at the end of the year and we played their favorite math games in the spring sunlight of the courtyard.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love the way The Common School dedicates itself to taking the time and effort to know each child and family individually. From the warm greetings in the morning to the deeply thoughtful progress reports, every interaction is full of compassion, caring and knowledge of what makes each child truly themselves. It is the most authentic version of “child-centered” education I have ever experienced and such a gift to be a part of.
Education:
B. A. Eugene Lang College
Started at The Common School:
2023
Outside interests:
Reading, exploring nature, connecting with community, sharing food, death care
What brought you to The Common School?
I came to The Common School after years off and on working with children and serving in various advocacy and civil service positions. I was excited about The Common School’s mission and education platform, and the real warmth and care that I felt the minute I walked in.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love the dedication to play in nature, the dedication to students well-being and creativity, and getting to witness all of the teachers and wider teams’ critical pedagogy.

Administration

Green Nursery

Education
BFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University
MA University of Wales, Cardiff UK

Started at The Common School
2020

Outside interests
Keeping my hands busy, knitting, gardening, baking, and recently breaking glass and putting it back together in new arrangements of pattern and design. I also enjoy reading with my kids and walking in the woods near my house.

What brought you to the Common School?
I first came to know The Common School as a Nursery parent ten years ago. I immediately felt as though the favorite comfy sweater that I had lost had just been returned to me. My family felt supported and cared for and we loved being part of the School.

In the middle of the pandemic I felt a desire to engage differently in the world through my work life. I was excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Green Nursery, especially around issues of social justice and the environment, and to reconnect more deeply with this community.

Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
Many of my favorite moments happen during our rambles through Bramble Hill Farm and the surrounding woods and ponds. I love that a beautiful Monarch and a dead flattened snake in the road are equally revered by Green Nursery children and that these moments are just brimming with curiosity and wonder. I also love working on collaborative projects, such as when we worked on a large scale clay project over several weeks where students' ideas bounced off each other sparking excitement and creative thinking. They approached the experience with such generosity with calls to other classes of “ come, come, there’s room for you”

What do you like best about The Common School?
I so appreciate that as a school we are deeply invested in the social emotional health of our students. That all members of our community–students, teachers, caregivers, and staff–are seen as valued individuals. That children are trusted as leaders and learners.
Education:
B.A., University of Massachusetts
M.A., University of Colorado
Started at The Common School:
1986
Outside interests:
Gardening, get togethers with large extended family, long walks in the woods and on the beach especially when accompanied by dogs.
What brought you to The Common School?
I became familiar with The Common School when providing child care to children who attended the nursery program. I was struck immediately whenever on campus by the sense of personal connection and ownership of the learning experience exhibited by the students both old and young, as well as the obvious value placed on community connection within the school. When a position became available, I jumped at the opportunity to apply. My initial impressions and love of the school have been confirmed over and over, which is the reason I have been here for over 30 years!
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
There are really too many to mention, but for the most part, the moments that stand out are the ones in which curriculum experiences evolve from student interest. Examples are a Circus study (culminating in a circus performance for the whole school), a study of spiders, and a mapping curriculum.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I like how well-known and valued children are as individuals, how much ownership and investment they have in their learning, the emphasis placed across all age groups in the school on social and emotional learning and well being, and the importance placed on active, joyful engagement, both indoors and out.

Blue Nursery

(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.A., Sarah Lawrence
MAT Early Childhood Education, Tufts University
Started at The Common School:2016
Outside interests:
Yoga, hiking, cooking, reading, spending time with my family
What brought you to The Common School?
As someone who grew up in the area I had long been aware of the school as a progressive institution that dug deep into topics with hands-on activities.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
In the Blue Nursery we have a curriculum thread each year that we call the Changemakers Project. We introduce the children to people who are standing up to various injustices in the world, and we want to empower them to also be agents of change. Each year the changemakers vary but Martin Luther King, Jr. is always one of them. One year we were discussing his legacy and showing a picture book with a drawing of a water fountain with a sign that said “Whites Only.” One child proposed chopping the sign down. A second suggested there could be no sign at all, and then another added that anyone could use the fountain if there was no sign. The last child commented that if there was no sign anyone could use the fountain, no matter what their skin looked like. It was heartening to hear these three, four, and five-year olds noticing something that was unfair and talking about ways to resist.
What do you like best about The Common School?
The ability to co-construct curriculum with my colleagues and students, the support I have from my colleagues as we explore social justice issues as a faculty and with our students, our beautiful outdoor spaces and the amount of time we spend outside with children no matter the weather!
(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.A., Barnard College
M.S.., Bank Street College of Education
Started at The Common School:
1997
Outside interests:
Sourdough bread baking and vegetable fermenting, gardening, dance, meditation, spending time exploring the woods and fields around my home
What brought you to The Common School?
I loved The Common School the moment I had my first tour as a teaching candidate. Seeing children in each classroom thoroughly engaged in hands-on, exploratory learning at Choice Time and observing teachers and children relate to each other in a relaxed, mutually respectful manner made a huge impression on me. Teachers at The Common School act as facilitators and co-learners and this makes me feel I am “home.”
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
Any rainy day, especially when there is mud and lots of puddles and rivers on the playground and the children are completely uninhibited, engaged and joyful. When I witness these moments of deep connection to the earth, despite the societal trend towards a division between childhood and nature, I am filled with optimism about the future health of our earth.
What do you like best about The Common School?
The ethic of concern and caring I witness each day throughout the entire community: child to child; faculty/staff to child and parent; faculty/staff to each other. This is deeply entwined for me with the firm commitment so many in this community share to co-create an equitable, anti-bias community of learners.

Our Nursery Curriculum

Primary 1

Education:
B.S., Unity College
MAT., Mt. Holyoke College
Started at The Common School:
2021
Outside interests:
Animals, audiobooks, crafting (needle felting), writing, drawing
What brought you to The Common School?
I was lucky enough to connect with Dana while studying at Mount Holyoke!
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
A group of children from BN, GN, and P1 worked together to collect as many worms as they could, and shared what they knew about worms with each other!
What do you like best about The Common School?
What initially drew me to The Common School was its focus on nature and the natural world. Students here have the freedom to safely explore the world around them and are encouraged to take risks, whether during daily outside playtime or weekly trips into the forest and nearby farm. Kids can climb trees, jump in puddles, and call teachers by their first names — all things that were never allowed in my schools growing up! I really admire how The Common School encourages independence in its students.
(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.S., Wheelock College
Started at The Common School:
2015
Outside interests:
Hiking/walking in the woods, reading, spending time with my family and friends
What brought you to The Common School?
The school’s location, set back away from the street and surrounded by woods, first sparked my curiosity and interest in the The Common School. After exploring the schools website, its approach to teaching and learning resonated with me. When I moved back to the area, I began subbing at The Common School; experiencing the school first-hand solidified that it was a school I wanted to work at.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
This fall I had the opportunity to take Green Nursery students for walks in the woods in pairs and let them lead the way. We discovered fallen trees blocking the path, a bird’s nest, and even ran into a front loader! Some children stayed close to me and chatted as they walked, while others were off and running with their classmates. It was an all around enjoyable experience, and I look forward to reflecting back on it with the class and seeing where it will lead us this winter!
What do you like best about The Common School?
I am thankful to work at a school where the faculty and staff are continually learning and thinking about their teaching practices and applying that to their teaching and interactions with children, families, and co-workers.

Primary 2

(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.A., Cornell University, Double major: English and Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Studies
MAT., Bennington College, Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education, Human Development and Psychology
Started at The Common School:
2022
Outside interests:
I am an avid runner, hitting the roads and trails in all seasons! I also love board games, reading, and I recently learned to ski. It’s actually my love of reading that inspired me to teach first/second grade! I still remember how proud I felt checking out my very first chapter book from my elementary school library when I was in second grade.
What brought you to The Common School?
I found The Common School when my family relocated to Western Massachusetts. I was particularly excited to join this community because of its strong commitment to social justice.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
During the summer of 2022, I spent a lot of time sitting quietly in front of the computer or puttering around the empty, silent classroom, thinking about the school year. My favorite Common School moment was the moment when children arrived on the first day of school and the classroom was no longer quiet. In the blink of an eye, it became a community full of noise and laughter, thinking and learning, and the rumbling excitement of something wonderful just beginning.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I like the strong sense that we are all part of a shared community, in our classrooms, in the school, and beyond.

Our Primary Curriculum

Elementary 1

(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University
B.F.A., Ohio University
M.Ed., Smith College
Started at The Common School:
1992
Outside interests:
kayaking, Black history, needle crafts
What brought you to The Common School?
While I was working on my masters in education at Smith, I heard wonderful things about The Common School from my professors. Team teaching, in-depth studies and the use of theater throughout the school were the big draws for me as a new classroom teacher.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
One of many favorite teaching moments at The Common School was the Saturday morning a group of us spent helping three E1 students meet their goal for a social justice project. We had all gone to a school event sponsored by a Common School parent to help make shoes for children living in Syrian refugee camps. After the event, three E1 second years asked the parent what else they could do. She showed them how to hand sew small cloth dolls, and asked if they would make enough so that she could place one in each pair of shoes. The students flew to the task, involving classmates from two classrooms. However as the deadline drew closer, they weren’t sure if they would meet their goal. So, on a Saturday morning, the students, classmates and two parents, who are Common School alums, got together and helped with the final push. We had a great time sewing, talking, drinking tea and helping the students exceed their goal!
What do you like best about The Common School?
What I like best about The Common School is having two years to get to know children and their families. Working with students for two years helps me develop a relationship with the child and a partnership with the family. Getting to know students and their care-givers this well builds a trust that helps us unravel challenges to growth and support strengths both of which are necessary to students taking risks and spreading their wings.
Education:
I attended Umass Amherst and later transferred to Bridgewater State University for a double major in biology and elementary education. The combination of these fields enriched my understanding of science and prepared me to become an effective educator. My educational experience at both institutions has set the stage for a fulfilling career in education.
Started at The Common School:
I joined The Common School community in October of 2022. I began as a substitute teacher and tutor.
Outside interests:
I enjoy photography, performing with my bands, and spending time in nature. Photography allows me to capture special moments and look at the world very purposefully. Performing with my band is exciting and provides me with a creative outlet.. Being in nature is a way for me to find peace and recharge, whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply enjoying the outdoors. These interests bring joy to my life and provide a healthy balance to my daily routines.
What brought you to The Common School?
After relocating to the Valley in 2022, I sought a flexible substitute teaching position near my new home. Discovering The Common School’s posting on SchoolSpring, I decided to tour the campus, and the moment I stepped foot on it, I fell in love with the environment and philosophy. The school’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, along with its commitment to education, convinced me to become part of this supportive community and pursue my passion for teaching.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
My time at The Common School has been filled with cherished moments, but among them, I hold a special pride in witnessing the progress of the students I tutor. Seeing their growth and development has been incredibly rewarding. It is a privilege to be a part of their educational journey and contribute to their success.
What do you like best about The Common School?
What I appreciate the most about The Common School is its strong sense of community and unwavering commitment to inclusivity and social justice. The school’s dedication to social justice issues instills important values in students, helping them become compassionate and informed global citizens. Additionally, the emphasis on child-centered learning empowers students to take an active role in their education, nurturing their curiosity and passion for learning. These aspects combined make The Common School a truly exceptional place to work and learn.

Elementary 2

(she/her/hers)
Education:
B.A., Simmons College
M. Ed., Smith College
Started at The Common School:
2021
Outside interests:
I love reading, music, times with loved ones, and adventures near and far.
What brought you to The Common School?
I came to The Common School in 2011, when my daughter Ajika started in P1.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
I am really moved by the way that our community works to help young people build compassionate, responsible practices and patterns that they’ll use throughout their life. This looks like everything from silent reading several times a week, fostering a lifelong love of reading, to engaging in a respectful classroom debate, listening to a different perspective and potentially revising your own. We facilitate conversations of restorative justice, asking young people to listen to feedback, empathize, apologize, and forgive. We learn together how to research and we learn together how to play.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I feel incredibly grateful to work at a school which centers the humanity of each child. This philosophy shapes the school, from its deep focus on social justice to its prioritization of outdoor play, every day.

Our Elementary Curriculum

Specialists & Support Staff

Education:
B.A., Smith College

Started at The Common School:
2023

Outside interests:
Travel, languages (I am fluent in French, and speak some Spanish, Italian, and Bosnian), gardening, hiking, running, and snuggling with my cat .

What brought you to The Common School?
I was raised in Northampton, and had several friends growing up who attended The Common School. Upon graduating from Smith College in May 2023 with an Elementary Education degree, I was looking for opportunities to serve the local community as a music teacher. Interviewing at The Common School, I knew I had found a perfect fit. I sensed from the beginning that The Common School understands the role of music in community-building and academic learning. There is a lot to love about our music program, from weekly Big Sings to annual traditions like our Harvest Festival.

Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
I could describe innumerable moments of joy, pride, and wonder in the music classroom. Each day brings such moments: acting out a song about the planets with Nursery students, marveling as E1 students sing a 3-part round without any help, or helping a student fret a ukulele to play a chord. Currently, I love witnessing the curiosity and enthusiasm with which Common School students take on learning songs in other languages.

What do you like best about The Common School?
I so appreciate the sense of community I have found at The Common School. It is a school that strives to recognize and support each student and the community that stands behind them. At The Common School, every adult in the building has a role to play in supporting each student, regardless of the frequency with which they interact. That culture of support extends to the faculty. The positivity, resourcefulness, and support I receive from my colleagues helps me to deliver a high quality music education for each student.
Education:
B.A., University of Massachusetts
Started at The Common School:
2016
Outside interests:
I love spending time with family, and hiking in the woods with my dog!
What brought you to The Common School?
I found The Common School while looking for a nursery school for my son Myles.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
I have so many favorite teaching moments here, but what stands out most is an amalgamation of many different Wednesdays in the Woods. I love setting off with a multi-age group of students, in all sorts of weather, through the beautiful woods and farmland of the Larch Hill Collaborative. Together, we have seen owls, bushwhacked through the thickets, swung on the bubble swings, helped Carole feed the animals at Bramble Hill Farm, observed snakes in their hibernacula, gotten stuck in the mud, and on and on. The lighting at that time of day, combined with the beautiful landscape and so many joyful faces, makes me feel very lucky to work in a school such as ours.
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love the joy of learning that is fostered here. I love how known all of the children are, and how connected they feel to each other and the broader school community.
Education:
B.S., Farmingdale State College
Started at The Common School:
2022
Outside interests:
Playing and teaching all kinds of sports, hiking, art, writing, gaming, and spending time with my loved ones.
What brought you to The Common School?
I was a teacher who had recently moved from Long Island, NY to the Springfield, MA area and was researching schools nearby to see where I could find a new home and become part of a community who shares my passion for working with children. After some searching, I came across The Common School and was immediately interested and motivated by their mission.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
Where to begin? A favorite teaching moment of mine here at The Common School was being so warmly welcomed on my first day by the E1 kids and teachers, and then proceeding to teach hockey to all the kiddos out on the snowy, slippery soccer field.
What do you like best about The Common School?
Not only do I love how the school has such a connection to the natural world and gives the kids the room to discover but also that the students are encouraged to explore topics that interest them. Plus, the smiles on the kids faces and seeing them learn and grow into their own individual each and every day!
Education:
B.S., Florida Southern College
UMASS Lowell Masters Program in Reading and Language
Started at The Common School:
2021
Outside interests:
Meditation, yoga, hiking, skiing, and cuddling my cats
What brought you to The Common School?
This is my seventh year as a parent, and first year teaching. A father in my husband’s trivia group said that when his child learned about a river, he was actually standing in the river. We had to check out this school! When we visited, it felt like home, everyone seemed relaxed and happy to be here. My son started creating from recyclables on his first visit.
We all feel welcome as a family and enjoy helping with the carnival, and community garden.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
As a parent volunteer, I brought my monarch and swallowtail butterflies to tag and release with E1. The kids had so much knowledge, and I wasn’t so much teaching as holding space for their contributions and questions. It was fun blessing the butterflies on their journey!
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love that kids are encouraged to take risks both on the playground, and in the classroom. I love the autonomy and freedom of running from building to building. I love how safe, and kind the environment feels, and how each child is seen as an individual.
Education:
B.S., University of Wisconsin
MAT, Smith College
Started at The Common School:
2015
Outside interests:
I love to swim, sew, cook and eat chocolate. I practice mindful meditation daily, and every weekend I try to make some really good sourdough bread.
What brought you to The Common School?
I had left my previous career as a Geologist/Project manager for an environmental consulting company to be a stay-at-home mom to my two sons for several years. I wanted to return to work, but wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do next. One day I was chatting with my neighbor, Marcy Sala, and she suggested applying at The Common School. I did and discovered I love teaching. I was awarded a teaching fellowship at Smith College, and earned my Masters of Teaching degree there in 2010. I knew that I wanted to work intensively with students who need extra support in learning to read, so I earned my certification at the Associate level in Orton-Gillingham instruction in 2015.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
Working with beginning readers is a truly gratifying experience. Recently, a young student who was sounding out their first words looked up at me with a beaming face and said “I had no idea that I could do that!”
What do you like best about The Common School?
I love everything about The Common School! For one thing, I can’t imagine my life without the amazingly kind, talented, and dedicated colleagues I see here every day. But really it’s the children that make this such a wonderful place. I have worked closely with some students for several years, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to watch them grow and develop as individuals.
Education:
BS in Kinesiology with all level teaching certificate in Physical Education and a secondary teaching certificate in Biology from Texas Women’s University
Started at The Common School:
2020
Outside interests:
Spending time outdoors with family and friends (hiking, running, rock climbing, and waterfall chasing); cooking seasonal and yummy meals for those I love; Reading anything I can get my hands on; and spending time in quiet reflection in my little yoga corner.
What brought you to The Common School?
My first experience with The Common School was as a perspective family, and honestly, from the moment we walked onto campus we knew we had found the educational home for our son! During our tour, I was impressed with the sense of independence in learning that was fostered in each classroom from the Nurseries through Elementary II. The Common School’s mission surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion as well as their philosophy regarding how children best learn, drew me in first as a parent and then again as an educator when there was an opening for a Physical Education teacher. To be able to work and teach at the same school we fell in love with for our son has been a wonderful blessing for our family. I proudly wear both “hats” on a daily basis.
Tell us about a favorite teaching moment at The Common School:
Any moment that I can experience, witness or be an integral part of the unrestricted, imaginative play that happens in the Adventure Yard, the Backyard, or the Big Field is my favorite teaching moment. Luckily, I catch a glimpse of that almost daily! Whether it’s watching as children take appropriate risks by climbing trees, walking across balance beams and stumps with a sense of confidence that is all their own, or it’s witnessing the joyful play happening in a game of football on the Big Field, or catching a glimpse of a group of students serving up a “delicious meal” at the mud kitchen in the garden, I always walk away with sense of gratitude that I am able to be a part of the magic that is The Common School.
What do you like best about The Common School?
The educators! The Common School’s faculty and administration encompass the mission and philosophy of the school in such a way that creates the “magic” that is The Common School. They are the reason that my son jumps out of the car in the morning and runs, joyfully up the path to his classroom. They are the reason that my son exclaims with deep love and pride that, “This is MY school!” The love and dedication the faculty and administration give to The Common School can be felt the moment you step foot on campus and we wouldn’t have the space we love without them.

The Common School Board of Trustees

These generous and committed volunteers help set the strategic vision for The Common School as well as oversee its financial management, fundraise, and select and evaluate its leadership. If you are interested in serving on the Board or in volunteering your time in other ways, please contact Anna Coldham at vicechair@commonschool.org.

Rosemary Agoglia – Chair, Chair of Executive Committee, Alum Caregiver, Former Faculty
Anna Coldham – Vice-Chair, Caregiver, Alum ’91
Sarah Zelechoski – Secretary, Caregiver
Brian Katzman – Co-Treasurer, Caregiver
Katie Poff – Co-Treasurer, Alum
Julli Jaramillo – Member at Large, Caregiver
Amy Hudson Gaubinger – Member at Large, Caregiver
Bin Wang – Wing Representative, Caregiver
Cathy Cohen – Chair of Transition Committee, Alum Caregiver, Former Board Chair
Anthony Prinzivalli – Chair of Advancement Committee, Alum ’02
Buffy Aries – Chair of Trusteeship Committee, Alum Caregiver
Emma Simmons – Faculty Representative, Chair of Equity and Inclusion Committee, Alum ’94, Alum Caregiver
Orlee Marini-Rapoport – General Trustee, Alum ’13
Emma O’Neal – General Trustee, Alum Caregiver
Bud Lichtenstein – General Trustee, Former Head of School
Mika Hoffman – General Trustee, Alum ’79