STARS Learning Cooperative

Jonas Allen

Wheaton College BA; Licensed Social Worker for 15 years at Spurwink Services; Executive Skills Coach with years of experience working with, and advocating for, students with more intensive social, emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs; Extensive experience collaborating with parents, schools, and community providers to improve student outcomes. I believe that all children want to do well. That may not always be apparent as they can wrap themselves in all sorts of protective layers that often present as not caring, shutting down, a negative attitude, or even concerning behaviors. However, in my 20 years of working with children as an educator, coach, and social worker, I have yet to meet a child who does not respond to consistent positive reinforcement. My philosophy is that you have to first meet students where they are so that they feel heard. I build foundations with each student based in trust, safety, and caring. Once that has been established, it is amazing how hard children are willing to work and to accept some of the skills and approaches that I have to offer. At STARS I have the luxury of working one on one with my students, which allows for the type of relationship building that is needed for me to learn about their goals and what motivates them. All children make choices everyday about who they want to be as people and as students. My job is to help them make healthy choices that benefit them today and for years to come.  

Edith Aronson

AB in British History at Harvard College; MEd in Adolescent Psychology/Risk & Resiliency at Harvard Graduate School of Education. I have 12 years’ experience teaching at the middle school level. My other experiences in the field of education include: chairing the board of an independent school; acting as a long-term substitute teacher at the middle and high school level; working and volunteering in adult education; and tutoring in a variety of subjects for STARS.

As a child living abroad, I learned how to live in a world filled with complexities and was encouraged to embrace these complexities. I think that one of the causes of our students’ apparent overwhelm today is a failure to acknowledge and embrace complexity. Instead, we attempt to simplify, organize, foolproof and/or streamline their school experiences. However, without truly experiencing life’s complexity, our students are not learning how to navigate the challenges and seek the fulfillment embedded in the world around them. By embracing complexity with our students, we encourage our tweens and teens to develop competencies that will last them a lifetime.

I continue to learn through travel and have been to 6 of the 7 continents, the exception being Antarctica (probably because winter in Maine is enough for me). I am also an avid reader, gardener, swimmer and AFOL.

David Beringer, MEd

I have worked with a diverse range of children through almost 40 years in the field of education, most recently as the director of Educational Support at the Maine Coast Waldorf School.  I began with students on the Autism spectrum and with other significant learning and developmental challenges, worked in urban and suburban schools both as a classroom teacher and remedial specialist, and spent 12 years focused on early childhood development.  The study of how learning develops, particularly through movement and sensory experiences in the young child, has led me to incorporate aspects of movement and bodily awareness in all aspects of my current work with children who struggle in academic, social, or behavioral areas. 

I have a BA in Literature from Thomas Edison College, where I focused on how individuals and cultures make meaning through myth and fairy tales, and a Masters in Education from Antioch NE Graduate School with a dual focus on education and early childhood development.  I am certified as a Transdisciplinary Therapeutic Educator through a program in California that draws on several disciplines including Occupational Therapy and Educational Psychology.  I am a certified Waldorf teacher, certified in the Waldorf remedial Extra Lesson, and have taken coursework in a movement program called Awareness Through The Body. 

I use a neurodevelopmental approach that includes movement, direct instruction, and coaching, beginning with where the student is along a timeline of developing learning skills.  I emphasize the connections between physical and emotional development and academic success.  This enables students to discover and build capacities and frameworks that support learning, often beginning with missing foundational skills. Rather than approach learning from a particular program, I begin with the student, helping to build self-awareness and agency while developing strategies that build on their inherent strengths.  I am familiar with a range of learning challenges and their fit with different learning environments and teaching styles. Over the years I have also used many different formal and informal assessment and intervention programs for literacy, numeracy, generalized learning, and behavior, giving me a large body of material to draw upon when tailoring a program to the individual child.

Kimberly Bianco

Kimberly Bianco is a highly motivated and energetic educator with over 25 years of experience in the field of education with a passionate commitment to student learning. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Fitchburg State University and a Master’s Degree in Literacy K-12 from University of New England. She also holds a certification in Orton-Gillingham through ISME and Literacy Coaching through UMaine Orono. Her career began in Massachusetts and continued into Maine after relocating to the Downeast area. Kim has taught as a classroom teacher in all grades 1-8, as well as a Reading Specialist. She has supported large school districts in literacy instruction and professional development.  Most recently, she has served as a Literacy Coach supporting teachers with the delivery of literacy instruction based on the latest science of reading research. While looking at the whole child, she and the student’s teacher planned best instructional practices. Also based on the student’s individual needs, they identified their strengths and gaps of learning. She is committed to raising a student’s self-efficacy and believes that confidence breeds success and success breeds confidence; they go hand-in-hand. Kim approaches every single tutoring session with this goal, while also giving them the skills to be their own true advocates of their learning and education. She is especially grateful to be a part of the STARS family. Kim is a mother of four young adult children.  She is an avid bicyclist, skier and thoroughly enjoys being outdoors hiking, camping or snowshoeing. Kim is available for online tutoring, specializing in Orton-Gillingham methodology and instructional materials.

Beth Bussiere

BA from Earlham College in chemistry; MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Whitworth University; completed USM’s graduate teacher program (ETEP); Maine Teaching Certificate: Physical Science 7-12. Past work includes biochemistry research, hospital employee relations, and private practice as a work coach and career counselor. Recently retired after fifteen years teaching high school chemistry, physics, and biology at all grade levels. Coached students to identify their strengths and apply them to learning strategies and coping skills. Eight years teaching AP Chemistry. Helped juniors and seniors to transition to college-level writing, math, lab reports, and study skills, as well as stress management and test-taking strategies. Many years as a guided study teacher working with struggling students to provide additional help with content, organization, metacognition, and self-advocacy. Science can be hard because we need to use all our academic skills; I see it another way. I see the process of learning science as an opportunity to grow in all areas because we now have a context to learn and a place to put to use seemingly abstract subjects like math.

Janet Clemons

I retired in 2019 after working with Alternative Education programs for 30 years.  For those who don’t know, Alternative Education offers individualized instruction and community-based programs for students who may be falling through the cracks in regular public education. Much of my career was as the lead teacher at the Alternative Education program (now known as ExCEL) at Gray-New Gloucester High School.  I also have worked at Greely High School and at a Montessori preschool.  I have a B.S. Psychology, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, and Maine State Certifications in English/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Co-Op Industrial Training (Workplace Training).

As a lifelong learner, my passion is seeing each student as an individual with unique needs and goals.  It is my goal to help each student tap into their strengths, especially those that they may not be aware of.  Sometimes the most important first step is to just sit back and listen to a  student's perceptions of what they believe their obstacles are.  I have found that the educational experience can become more satisfying for everyone if a student feels listened to.

Education in our world today is not the same as it was just a decade ago.  On top of that, COVID has turned schools that were often systematic routines offering a sense of safety for many into unpredictable spaces lacking consistency and predictability.

Although my Certifications are in English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Workplace Training, I am comfortable with many subjects.  Math is a strength of mine and I have been told that sometimes I am able to explain things in a more “user-friendly” way.  I enjoy working with students of all ages even though my experience has been primarily high school. I look forward to working with your student should you choose to work with me as part of your child’s educational team.

Dorothy Eckhardt

Tufts University BS in Early Childhood Education; Johns Hopkins University M.S. in education with a concentration in Reading; Taught grades 1-5 in independent schools in Ohio and Maryland for thirteen years; Recently worked in the Cumberland School District (MSAD 51) as a long term and per diem substitute for many years; Tutor independently and with STARS, focusing on elementary and middle school curriculum and executive functioning skills. Currently working as an Executive Skills coach using Lynn Meltzer’s SMARTS curriculum. I have attended local seminars for professional development led by Chris Kaufman, Sarah Ward and Peg Dawson. I really enjoy working with students in a one-on-one setting. I try to keep our sessions light-hearted and fun while keeping the students focused and engaged. In the older elementary and middle school grades, many of the students I work with are feeling the pressures of testing scores or adult expectations. With my students, I do my best to make sure they are relaxed and comfortable as I know the best learning happens when students are stress-free.

Elizabeth (Beth) Fenwick

A.S. Degree in Retailing from Lasell, B.S. in Journalism from University of Maine and a Masters in Literacy from U.S. M. I am currently finishing my 33 year of teaching from Greely Middle School and am retiring this June. Over my tenure,  I’ve taught fifth through eighth grade, focusing on English/Language Arts.  I’ve attended numerous conferences on co-teaching and reading and writing across the curriculum, to name a few.  I use humor, life experiences, and creative writing extensions to individualize instruction and support every student.  An avid reader, I consider myself adept at matching student’s interests with adolescent literature.  Over the summer it is not uncommon for me to read over 80 books, with which to offer titles to my students.  On a personal note, I am parent to three adult children, two grandchildren, and a tiger cat. I live with my husband, Scott, in Topsham.  Reading, writing, swimming, and biking are some of my favorite pastimes.  I look forward to working with students at Stars Learning Cooperative.

Melissa Fowler

BS from Sacred Heart University, CT in Psychology; Masters in Education from Umass in Mental Health Counseling; Masters in Education from USM in School Counseling. I'm currently in my 16th year of being a School Counselor at Greely High School and prior to that I was a School Counselor at Poland Regional High School for 7 years and a Mental Health Clinician in CT for 2 years. I have 23 years of education experience in public high schools, and I am well-versed in implementing solutions to a variety of student instructional challenges as well as post-secondary counseling. Greely has a progressive Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, grade-level and resource-level classes; in addition to working with students on executive functioning skills. I pride myself in continuous professional development, including training focusing on students’ mental health, which affords me the opportunity to stay current with and responsive to the needs of my students of all learning/ academic levels. Additionally, I believe that communication is a foundation of my educational philosophy, as is uplifting my students to take an active role in their education by learning the tools necessary to be successful in high school, and beyond. My husband and I reside in N. Yarmouth where we are raising four wonderful children, all of whom have not only played countless sports (football, field hockey, wrestling, track and field, softball, lacrosse and baseball - I understand the busy lives of our children) as well as being very involved in music and the arts, giving back to their community and leadership endeavors. Each child is so different. I enjoy fundraising for various Maine organizations, partaking in triathlons, biking, reading, camping and almost all outdoor activities! I am dedicated to bringing a diverse blend of experience working with students through their individual academic challenges, with a goal of also celebrating the successes and working through the complex parts by promoting their capabilities of advocating for themselves, as a team.

Nancy Goldberg

 B.A. in Literature, Colby College; M.A. in Literature, Boston College; M.S. in Education, University of Southern Maine; Certificate in Waldorf High School Teacher Education; Maine Certification teaching English 7-12.  I have almost 20 years of experience teaching literature and writing in a variety of venues, including public high schools, Maine Coast Waldorf High School and colleges. I have tutored students with undergraduate and graduate admissions essays, literary analysis, expository writing, homeschooling, Advanced Placement Literature and Language test preparation. Regardless of what aspect of literature and writing I am teaching, my goals are to demystify literature and writing for students and to help them find an authentic and logical path toward communicating what they know into words.

Mercedes Grandin

BA in English from Bates College; M.Ed in secondary education English from Harvard University; Maine Teacher Professional Licensure for English (7-12) and ESL (K-12). My focus is supporting students’ academic literacy skills, including reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and analytical reading and writing skills. I also work with students on Executive Functioning skills, college essay development, SAT Reading/Writing, and targeted reading interventions, including the Lindamood-Bell reading programs (Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing, LIPS). I have 7 years of experience teaching students in middle and high school and over 10 years of professional experience as a writer and editor. I currently teach English language learners at North Yarmouth Academy, in addition to tutoring and freelance writing/editing. I love helping students become more confident readers and writers and develop solid foundational and academic literacy skills. I also enjoy measuring tangible progress working 1:1 with students over time, and serving as a bridge to help parents understand their child’s learning profile and assessment data to better inform their learning goals and measure concrete results.        

Brenda Goldblatt              

Adapting the Dr. Seuss verse, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” to fit my professional career might read, “Oh, The Students I Have Helped!” Each one has been a precious individual and our combined efforts to actualize their learning and sense of self continue to be a rewarding journey. The variety of young learners, high school students, and adults whom I have taught ranges from those with learning challenges to academically gifted students; each is unique and presents new opportunities and a need for creativity and patience. For over forty years, I have used my training as a teacher of English at the secondary level with a B.S. degree from Temple University, as well as the enhanced knowledge gained while pursuing an M.Ed. in Special Education from The College of New Jersey. This educational background has been utilized as a teacher at The Pennsylvania School For The Deaf, Wadsworth Academy, The Meadowbrook School as a tutorial consultant for 22 years, the prestigious Upper School at Germantown Friends in Philadelphia, in addition to maintaining a thriving practice as a tutor with students from a vast number of other private and public schools in both Pennsylvania and Portland, Maine. Among the local schools where I have taught are St. Brigid’s, Ocean Avenue School, and North Yarmouth Academy.  I am able to provide instruction in all aspects of language arts K-12 and at the college level and can focus on skills such as phonics and decoding, comprehension and critical thinking, interpretation of literature, written expression and primary math.  In addition, my natural talents as a writer have enabled me to offer prewriting and editing advice plus inspiration to learners as they strive to improve their writing skills and apply them to classroom assignments.  An understanding of the complexities that surround language development combined with sensitivity to both the academic and emotional needs of individuals has resulted in countless numbers of my students finding success in their academic pursuits.

Joanna James

BA in Special Education K-12 from Eastern Michigan University; EdM in Early Childhood Learning Disabilities from Oakland University; Fifteen years working in the public schools in Michigan K-12, in classroom, resource and consultant positions, worked extensively sustaining support for students who presented challenges with emotional regulation and executive functioning; Fellow at the Bay Area Writing Project, collaborating to create a comprehensive writing curriculum for a public school district; Managed a Title 1 paraprofessional learning resource program and worked successfully to apply the use of video feedback in training; Served nineteen years in independent schools as a classroom teacher K-4; Certified in Orton Gillingham and Wilson Fundations and as a mentor, delivering staff development; Traveled the US facilitating professional development in All Kinds of Minds to help teachers understand and share creative ways to accommodate learning diversity; currently working as an Executive Skills coach using Lynn Meltzer’s SMARTS curriculum. I recently retired from the classroom and moved to Maine where I tutor students with reading challenges. I remain a voracious reader, a learning facilitator, and educational consultant/advocate to families.

Dina Lattanzi

BA from Providence College, MA in English Literature from Clark University, MA in History from Bangor Theological Seminary. I’m currently in my 10th year of teaching English at Greely High School and have over 30 years of teaching experience in public and private high schools, both in regular as well as special education settings, and I am well-versed at implementing solutions to a variety of student instructional challenges. I’ve taught Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, grade-level and resource-level English classes with an emphasis on reading fluency, writing development, and executive functioning skills. Continuous professional development, to include Gatekeeper training focusing on students’ mental health, allows me to stay current with and responsive to the needs of my students; additionally, parent communication is a cornerstone of my educational philosophy, as is inspiring students to take an active role in their education. My husband and I reside in Cumberland where we have raised three wonderful children, all of whom have not only played ice hockey and lacrosse but have also been very involved in music and the arts.

Caiden Leavitt

Caiden received her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Cornell University, with a minor in Philosophy. Following graduation, she worked for two years at the Windward School, which specializes in working with students with language-based learning disabilities.

While she loved working in the classroom, she found her true passion was in working in one-on-one settings with students, where she could hone in on each student’s unique learning style. She has spent the past 8 years working as a tutor with students ranging from 4th grade through college level. She finds that she is still learning from her students, as each individual brings their own challenges and strengths.

Caiden is a native Mainer, and she has a deep love for the state. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is available for virtual tutoring. She loves hiking with her dog Buster and is an avid reader and writer. She hopes to help her students find their passion and equip them with the tools to become lifelong learners!

John Marlowe

I am currently a third-grade teacher in the Cumberland, Maine school district and have been a public educator for over 25 years. In addition to working as a classroom teacher, I was also a Reading/Writing specialist for a small school district in New Hampshire working with students in grades K-8,  as well as a math specialist for grades four and five. 

I completed graduate work at UNH in Durham, New Hampshire, and went on to get an M. Ed. in Integrating Arts and Education from Lesley University. My support focuses on meeting children where they are, exploring with them their strengths, and seeing how they can be used to access learning concepts that are more challenging for them. I believe my role is to help children discover how they learn while tackling academic areas where they need support. I often lean on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and Myers-Briggs personality types to empower students to find their ways of learning.

As an ADHD adult, I understand children's complexities when looking at time management, anxiety around schoolwork, and the need for alternative ways of looking at things. In the end, my goal is to help a child develop skills to guide their future learning. 

Outside of school, I'm the founder and director of Guinea Reads, a non-profit supporting literacy in Guinea, West Africa. Currently, we are completing two libraries in remote villages; bringing the opportunity for children to interact with text in a part of the world that has no access to books. I also teach West African drumming.

Terry Perkins Mitman 

Psychology/pre-med at Dartmouth College; JD at Harvard Law School; ordained by the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine. Worked as a caseworker with kids in foster care in Boston, as an English teacher for college students in China, as a law clerk for an appellate judge in upstate New York, and as an AVID tutor for 6th to 12th graders in Mequon, Wisconsin. Raised three kids and cared for a parent with Alzheimer’s Disease. Also coached middle school tournament teams and boxing for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Most recently completed an internship with Maine Equal Justice, gathering information on, among other things, how the pandemic impacted Maine’s children. Committed to bringing my varied blend of experience to walking with students and their families through today’s unique challenges, with the goal, of always, celebrating the good parts and working through the difficult parts, together.

Joan Newkirk

Masters in Education with a literacy focus from The University of Southern Maine. Attended numerous training programs which are used in Maine schools.

I am thrilled to be a part of the STARS Learning Cooperative and look forward to getting acquainted with your children. I have taught about 500 students over my 30+ years of work in public schools, primarily in Bath, Maine. Each of these students has taught me something I can include in my practice and each has reminded me that every student has their own set of talents and challenges. I am always curious and intrigued with every student and enjoy developing creative strategies to assist them with their learning.

I am so grateful to have been able to work, live and raise a daughter in Maine. My husband and I enjoy many outdoor pursuits, including bicycling, swimming, kayaking, x-country skiing and exploring the remote parts of our beautiful state.

Beth Ann Nickerson

B.A. in Special Education from George Washington University;  M.S. in Exceptionality from Univ. of Southern Maine;  K-12 Special Education teacher certification;  K-12 Special education consultant certification; Special Educator at Mt. Ararat Middle & High Schools for twenty-nine years; Chair of Bowdoin College Community Host Program;   SPIRE training; Wilson & Language workshops; Executive Functioning Skill training; Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Assessment training; working as an Executive Skills coach using Lynn Meltzer’s SMARTS curriculum.  I specialize in assessing students’ reading decoding, fluency and comprehension skills, educating young people about their skills and working together to improve their skills. In the area of writing, I work with students on organizing their ideas, putting their ideas onto paper, and implementing the writing process.  I enjoy supporting young people in identifying their strengths, challenges and ascertaining ways to embrace these to achieve their goals.  In working with elementary, middle school, and high school students, it is my belief when given support and “tools”   students can achieve their learning goals and reach their potential.  

Zoë Romano

MFA in Creative Writing from Queens University, BA in Spanish and International Studies from the University of Richmond; 8 years of experience tutoring Spanish, SAT prep, reading and writing, math, and executive function skills. I've taught at public and private schools, small-group and one-on-one instruction, summer camps in Italy, and currently coach public speaking. I recently completed a Rotary Fellowship which brought me to Patagonia and Buenos Aires for two semesters of teaching English. My approach to tutoring emphasizes curiosity, discovery, and positive reinforcement. I really believe that we are all - students and teachers equally - capable of more than we realize, and I'm drawn to the 1:1 support environment because of the way it brings out this human potential. I try to let this concept guide me as often as possible; I've run alone across the US and am the first person to run the Tour de France course.  

Deb Shaw

I have spent over 30 years in public and private education. Many of those years have been focused on teaching students how to improve their literacy skills. The numerous positions I have held include Reading Recovery Teacher, Title 1/RTI Specialist, Academic Coach, Literacy Team Leader, and Grade 2 Classroom Teacher. I graduated with a BS in Political Science and later received my MEd in literacy from the Univ. of Maine. I have continued to further my education to include extensive work and training in the Wilson Reading Systems and in Lindamood Bell Programs (LIPS, Seeing Stars). I have most recently taken courses from the Landmark School in Massachusetts. My focus was on teaching students with learning challenges in writing and reading coupled with weaknesses with Executive Functioning skills. I have also had the opportunity to work as an Executive Skills Coach using Lynn Meltzer’s SMARTS curriculum. I love to work alongside all learners, in order to expand their literacy and executive function abilities. I search for the best methods and techniques to assist them in making those improvements.

Nowell Stoddard

Nowell holds a B.A. in physics from Bard College. He has been tutoring math and physics since his sophomore year of college. He spent three years teaching math and science at Maine Coast Waldorf High School, two of those years tutoring with STARS. In 2022, he returned to school to pursue an M.S. in Physics from Radboud University, which he hopes to complete later this year.

During his time at the teaching, he grew to love empowering students from all different circumstances to feel like the best math students they can be. He refined his teaching methods through his experiences with students, collaboration with colleagues, and adapting to the challenges of the pandemic. Additionally, he completed a methods course from The Maine Educator’s Consortium on teaching math for grades 7-12.

Nowell believes in working collaboratively with students, working through problems together to identify and overcome challenges. He tailors his teaching strategies to each student's unique needs, helping them reframe concepts to set them up for long-term success.

Peter Talpey

B.A. in Mathematics from Hamilton College. I have 5 years of math teaching experience at two semester schools (High Mountain Institute, The Island School) and the Derryfield School in Manchester, NH. My classes have included Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus, and Computer Science. I also work with students looking to improve their SAT math scores.

I aim to create a tutoring environment as one where students ask questions that drive the style of support and where they feel comfortable making mistakes. To create this nurturing, curious, and comfortable environment, I must approach each interaction with an intent to understand a student’s background and current understanding. Once a student feels empowered to solve problems and succeed, their confidence and curiosity will naturally guide them. I enjoy working with students to develop lifelong learning skills in addition to tackling current academic challenges.

Laura Trippe

I attended school in England as a teen, then attended Université de Montpellier in France. I earned my BA in French from Rollins College and MA in French and Spanish from Emory University.

I have taught in a variety of circumstances -  as a private tutor of French, Spanish, English and Study skills and Executive Function for 10 years, in two private prep schools, and in public middle and high schools here in Maine.

I  am a lifelong learner and have a passion for teaching and learning. My specialties include all levels of French and Spanish, middle-school English, and Executive Functioning and Study Skills. I enjoy working one-on-one, and I tailor the class, especially for the student. I also enjoy the energy and camaraderie of teaching in small groups. I use a number of proven ways to motivate and encourage students, and I enjoy getting to know them as people. I communicate well with parents and classroom teachers since success in tutoring is actually a collaborative effort. I also provide a summary of progress made after each session, and give suggestions for extra practice as time allows, considering that the student has other demands and activities. I am happy to meet in person or on Zoom.

Jane Waxman

Born and raised in Portland, I’ve spent my entire adult life on the West Coast. I’m thrilled to be back in beautiful Maine, and delighted to offer my services to your student through STARS Learning Cooperative.

I’m a seasoned educator with a M.Ed. and K-12 SPED certification, as well as Waldorf Teacher Certification and remedial training in Lindamood-Bell, Slingerland, Making Math Real, and Alert Self-Regulation. For over 30 years I’ve worked with students of all ages as a classroom teacher, private and charter school learning specialist, homeschool teacher, educator in private practice, gifted and talented specialist, and parent/teacher liaison and advocate. I specialize in reading, spelling, and writing remediation and executive functioning support. 

 I work from a holistic perspective, observing and considering on multiple fronts as I craft a program as highly individualized as your unique child. I draw from my training selectively, rather than adhering to any one program in a purist manner. Combining Waldorf-style play and artistry with systematic, mainstream research-based instructional methods and executive functioning tools, I strive to make lessons fun and creative, as well as effective! I enjoy teaming with parents and am happy to offer tools and resources to support your student’s learning at home.

 I’m passionate about reading and writing, and do quite a bit of both in my free time. 

Matt Weeks

B.A. in Dramatic Arts, Kenyon College; M.S. Ed. ETEP, University of Southern Maine; Maine Certification teaching K-8. Over a decade of teaching experiential education through Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Programs and Outdoor Classroom; and taught grades K-4 in Lewiston and Cumberland, Maine. I learn about my students - what excites them, what motivates them, and I incorporate those passions into their learning to make the learning more accessible and joyful for them. I have a healthy knowledge of the natural world, I like to sing and play the ukulele, am a lover of animals, and try to instill a sense of ownership, pride, and accountability in my students as they are setting and reaching their goals.

Kelly Welch

Kelly Welch has 20 years of teaching experience both in public and private schools. Kelly earned her B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from the University of New Hampshire and her M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is dual-certified in secondary life and physical sciences and recently became conditionally certified in secondary mathematics. A lifelong learner whose energetic lessons are targeted to meet the individual needs of her students, Kelly’s strengths lie in making upper-level science and math topics accessible and engaging.

Heather Woods

Heather received her BA in Comparative Poetics from Kenyon College, an MFA in Writing from the University of San Francisco, and an MFA in Teaching/ Writing from San Francisco State University. Heather has fifteen years of experience as a classroom teacher at both public and independent schools, teaching students from kindergarten through college, specializing in writing and literature. For the past decade, she also ran her own tutoring company in California, offering students compassionate one-on-one guidance toward reaching their highest potential. During these varied experiences, Heather developed incisive skills in special needs and twice-gifted learning. Embracing holistic education, Heather joyfully joined the Maine Coast Waldorf School this past year assisting in student support. At STARS, Heather assists students in discovering the thrill in all areas of writing while developing steadfast executive function skills with an inspired sense of self-reliance and insightful resilience. While most of her expertise is in writing and literature, having taught kindergarten through college, Heather is familiar with important benchmarks in learning, and tutors students in fundamental core subjects. Heather also offers preparation tutoring for ISEE/ACT/SAT tests and assistance with applications to independent schools and colleges. I seek to help my students embody the essential knowledge they need in order to enter the world as fully integrated, self-reliant beings.