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A school is shaped by the adults students interact with each day, so I want to highlight our teachers and the support team around them.
At Trillium, our educators choose to work with twice-exceptional students. They understand that a student can grasp complex concepts and still need support getting started, organizing their work, self-regulating, or communicating what they know. They understand what it means when a student freezes when it’s time to write an essay.
Because Trillium is a small community, teachers can get to know students as individuals. They may notice that one seventh grader thinks best by discussing ideas aloud, while another needs time to process before participating. They can also recognize when a student needs a different entry point into the material or another way to demonstrate understanding.
Counselors, a learning support specialist, and our Middle and High School Deans work alongside teachers to share observations, think through challenges, and coordinate academic, social, and emotional support. A conversation with a colleague who knows the student in another setting can help a teacher better understand what’s happening in their classroom and decide what to try next.
Our faculty also participate in professional development throughout the year focused on the needs of neurodivergent learners. Topics include student behavior, asynchronous development, executive functioning, and instructional practice. We bring in outside specialists, including experts from Ryther, to help our teachers develop practical tools and deepen their knowledge.
Our goal is to pair meaningful challenge with curiosity, flexibility, and a fuller understanding of the student in front of us.
Open House is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our faculty. You can register through Ravenna or email me for more information. I’d love to learn more about your child and what you’re looking for in a school.
— Dawn Fornear, Director of Enrollment Management, Trillium Academy