Karen M. Giuffre

Karen Giuffre’, our founder and director, sets and maintains the philosophical foundation and guides the staff through collaboration and critical review. She also informs the school community and teaches a variety of subjects. Karen holds a Masters in Education taken with thesis from Goddard College as well as a degree in political science and advanced studies in exercise physiology. Karen travels regularly to attend conferences, seminars, and symposiums where she participates and presents. In 2004 she attended the international conference, Crossing Boundaries, in Reggie Emilia, Italy. In the company of acclaimed education professionals from around the world she listened, observed and absorbed a wealth of information to put into practice. In Winter, 2008 she was invited to attend Lucy Calkin’s Reading/Writing Institute where she studied critical approaches to extending children’s reading and writing skills. In 2007 attended Alternative Education Resource Organization National Conference where she presented along side Chris Mercogliano, Ron Miller and other well noted progressive educators.

Karen is a member of many professional associations and has volunteered on a variety of committees and boards. She can often be found at Voyagers’ chatting or leaning in over a book with children discussing and debating ideas. She is completely engaged when children are present and loves to teach and learn with them. She also trains staff, confers with parents, develops programs and promotes the school. Karen believes in the practice of listening, exploring possibilities and solving problems with members of the school community. However, in the end, she takes responsibility for this educational institution. She is ever present and attentive.

Kadi Cook

Kadi Cook joins us with a rich background in the arts. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Integrated Teaching through the Arts, from Lesley University. In this program she focused on teaching core curriculum and better address the learning inclinations and capabilities of all students understanding that the arts can activate different pathways to learning. Kadi also holds a BA in English from The Colorado College, with a focus on Creative Writing and poetry. She has spent the last 6 years studying and teaching pottery to children and adults in various environments including a children’s museum and an art museum. She shows her ceramic and other visual work in galleries and sells work at craft sales regionally.

Creative arts have always come naturally to Kadi and have been a seamless part of her entire life. She is committed to share her passion for creative exploration and craftsmanship with the Voyagers’ community. She hopes to help students unlock the potential hidden in all materials. She has done many workshops focused on recycling materials that would otherwise fill the landfills and brings this environmental awareness into our everyday learning. In addition Kadi teaches all subjects and is especially interested in Poetry and Lyric.

During her free time Kadi enjoys playing the guitar and singing, playing disc golf, backpacking, collecting natural objects, creating art, and being an advocate for alternative educational choices. She has participated in the National Conference for Education in the Ceramic Arts multiple times as well as the Alternative Education Resource Organization’s conference. Kadi recently presented Masks and the Art of Expression during our education conference: Creativity, Community and Conscience: Progressive Education in the 21st Century.

She is committed to continuing to attend educational conferences and to broadening her perspective to best serve the students.

Rich Knab

Rich Knab studied Mechanical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology. He worked for many years engaging in design work as a contractor to telephone companies. He discovered his love of teaching when he was assigned to teach new employees how telephone systems work. Rich then worked for several software companies troubleshooting technical problems and giving sales presentations. At each company one of his additional responsibilities was to train new employees and customers.

In 2002 Rich shifted gears and decided to turn his woodworking hobby into a business. He designed and built many custom pieces from jewelry boxes and humidors to furniture and built-in cabinets. Much of the furniture in the Voyager’s Community School was built for by Rich.

Over the past five years Rich has taught all subjects at Voyagers’. In addition his talents and interests have sparked exploration in mechanical science, chemistry, computer and digital technology, green innovations and mathematical reasoning. Rich runs several Robotics workshops where children learned to design, build and program robots to perform assigned tasks. He also coaches our robotics team placing 3rd and 4th in the state.

Rich recently presented On Board with Science during our education conference: Creativity, Community and Conscience: Progressive Education in the 21st Century.

Rich looks forward to exploring, with our students, the natural wonder that the Voyagers’ campus offers.

Sandy Miller

As a teacher with 14 years of experience Sandy comes to Voyagers’ with a strong background in project and integrated curriculum. In her capacity as a master teacher Sandy was instrumental in establishing the Primary Classroom at A Child’s Place, a school that is known for providing the very best in quality, progressive education. Using documentation, anecdotal records and observation Sandy is able to help create a learning environment that is exciting and meets the needs of all the children she works with. Certified in nursery through 8th grade she is well-prepared and able to work collaboratively with her colleagues at Voyagers’ Community School.

Sandy teaches across subjects. She is a fabulous teller of stories and has recently begun teaching this art of expression. She also offers classes in current events, movement and animal science.