Regardless of the school, the beginning of the academic year is a tender time for kids. Becoming familiar with a new rhythm, learning to find your place in a group, staying attuned to each other for a sustained period of time--these tasks all require effort, energy, and attention. And this list doesn't even include the academic work that we expect children to engage in while at school!

At Blue Mountain School, we focus on Social-Emotional Learning, mindfulness, and group-building at the beginning of the year, so that we can help students at least understand and begin to make sense of the normal feelings--from excitement to uncertainty and everything in between--that accompany the start of the school year. We believe that this foundation is not only important, but necessary. By offering our students the opportunity to notice how they feel and what they think, we are gifting them with tools that empower them to shape the rest of the year into one that is productive and meaningful.

Hari says...

My passion is educating young learners using emergent curriculum and project based learning.  I began my training as a Foxfire Certified teacher and have continued my love of learning that spirals from student interests, since that time. I truly enjoy helping students develop literacy skills in an authentic, meaningful manner, and scaffolding children's play to create learning experiences. I have taught in a variety of settings; public schools, private schools, internationally and most recently in a Forest Kindergarten. This will be my fourteenth year in the classroom.   

I am a licensed Birth through Sixth grade teacher and have an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. My Masters Degree is in Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support. I have completed my North Carolina Environmental Educator's Certification, and look forward to sharing my love of the outdoors with my students.    

When I'm not in the classrom you can find me in the woods with my family and our dog, Ani.  Two of my children, Cedar and Wren, attend Blue Mountain, and my husband, Perrin works as a holistic veterinarian. We are expecting twins this fall, and I will be taking a family leave before returning in the spring.   

Dear BMS Community:

Welcome back to a new school year with Blue Mountain School!  I so look forward to continuing to work with all of you as we break through conventional paradigms about education.  You are all to be applauded for your courage in stepping out of hurtful educational norms and embracing instead values of collaboration and relationships, authentic assessments, and nurturing of the mind, body, spirit!