News from Robert Woods – 8/26

Dear Friends,

Last week was another very productive week, hiring our last three new staff members and completing two rigorous days of new teacher orientation. Please welcome:

• Ron Young, K-5th grade Principal (pictured). In his role overseeing our K-5th grade program, Ron will be working with teachers, students and parents on teaching, curriculum, and child development issues. Most recently, Ron was the K-12 TAG (Talented & Gifted) Coordinator and Teaching & Learning Specialist for the Sherwood School District, working as an instructional coach for teachers, curriculum advisor, and parent/community liaison. Before that he was the Summer Institute Director for the Sherwood School District, and prior to that he taught high school English in Maryland for five years. Ron has a B.A. in English literature from Washington College in Maryland, an M.A. in Curriculum Instruction from University of Maryland, and has completed the coursework for his doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy and Methodology from the University of Oregon. 

• Kami Richards, PK-1st grade music specialist. Some of you may know Kami as the administrative assistant at ISP summer camp for the last 2 or so years. Kami has an M.S. in Music from Portland State University, and a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (PK-8th) from Eastern Oregon University. In addition to working for ISP summer camps, Kami has been a PreK assistant and Extended Care Head Teacher at Columbia Christian Schools, and an aquatics program administrator, instructor and lifeguard. 

• Meredith Fleming, Arthur Street receptionist. Meredith has an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on International Development and Service from Portland State University, and a B.A. in Journalism, Spanish and Latin American Studies from University of Oregon. Meredith has worked as a committee member for Trash for Peace, Operations Manager for the Pangaea Project, and as a Programs & Development Intern for The International Carpe Diem Foundation.

Kami’s position is part of a structural change for our specialist departments. For many years we have had one full time and one part time teacher for each of music, art and PE. This year we will have two full time teachers in each specialty, with David Platt and Carolina Barros becoming full time teachers. Kami, David and Carolina will each teach PK through 1st grade. Peter Musselman, Robert Briglia and Julie Jansen will teach 2nd through 5th grade. All the specialists will work together to develop one cohesive ISP program that integrates with the grade-level units of inquiry. 

Today the teachers worked to set up their classrooms, and the new teachers started working in their grade-level teams. The rest of the week will be filled with collaborative planning and two days of training for the 6+1 Traits of Writing program that will now be the ISP standard for writing instruction. 

Have a great week,

– Robert

Robert Woods, Head of School, RobertW@intlschool.org, 503-226-2496 x122