Wonder Garden Assistant

Jennifer has devoted much of her life to caring for young children, both in her youth and adulthood. She attended Kenyon College and later earned a Master’s degree in Urban Planning. When her eldest child reached preschool age, she felt a strong call to return to the Waldorf world.

For over a decade, Jennifer has taught in Waldorf schools, both leading and assisting in preschool classrooms. She describes this work as something that “fills her soul.” She especially delights in spending time outdoors with the children—leading them on hikes and guiding them in their “good work”. Her teaching is infused with loving kindness, patience, joy, and gentle humor.

Jennifer currently works part time as an assistant in the Wondergarden preschool and is completing her Waldorf Teacher Training through Great Lakes.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world”
– Albert Einstein

In early childhood, young children are nurtured in a home-like environment. Their days include time in nature, artistic activities, creative play with natural toys, stories, songs, and practical activities such as building, sewing and cooking. The curriculum fosters the curiosity and joy of childhood and builds the self confidence and pre-academic skills that become the foundation for formal learning in the grades.

All elements of the kindergarten are guided by trained teachers who deeply understand how your child learns – engaging him or her intellectually, emotionally and physically. The curriculum is supported by a strong oral tradition that provides rich language experiences that are successful in cultivating good speech and expression. This approach exposes your child to significantly larger vocabularies than those found in early-reader programs, allowing her or him to expand their literacy skills through dramatization, poetry, puppet plays, songs, storytelling and drawings – creating a foundation in reading and writing.