Administration

Susan K. Simon - Administrator

Susan K. Simon has been an educator for the past thirty years, serving as a teacher, school principal, educational leader, personal and communication coach, and mentor. She has led both small and large organizations through successful change toward becoming excellent educational institutions. Leadership, communication and community building are key areas in which Susan has been successful in bringing about personal and organizational change. She is noted for her excellent listening skills, ability to build strong community, visionary role modeling, and practical application of cutting edge change practices.

Susan has a Masters Degree in Special Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration. She has facilitated curriculum work, staff development and leadership training, assisting individuals in becoming more effective in both their professional and personal lives. Susan began her educational career as a fifth grade teacher in Pennsylvania. She went on to teach Special Education, working with elementary aged students. After thirteen years as a teacher, Susan became a school principal. Her first school as an administrator was a K-6th school of 500 students outside of Philadelphia. After ten years at this school, Susan moved to Sedona and became principal at the West Sedona School with 600 students in grades K-8th. She led a change movement at West Sedona School for five years.

Susan was hired to help start the Desert Star Community School in 2006. Susan views her leadership role as that of facilitator, working with all segments of the school community to create the action steps necessary for bringing the vision of the school into reality. Weaving all the diverse segments of the community together to bring about unity, harmony and educational excellence is Susan’s work. She can be seen talking to parents, helping students and coaching teachers as part of her daily presence at Desert Star. Important qualities she brings to her role at Desert Star include excellent communication skills, flexibility, trustworthiness, integrity, as well as being heart-centered, self-growth focused, visionary, empathic and intuitive.

Susan has recently had a book entitled Building a Schoolhouse: Laying the Foundation for Success published. This book, written for teachers, administrators and parents, describes key characteristics and qualities necessary to create educational excellence in classrooms and schools. Visit Susan’s website at www.buildingaschoolhouse.com.

Paula Green - Administrative Assistant

As a parent and now Administrative Assistant for Desert Star Community School, Paula Green has always felt committed to working with staff and parents to make sure quality and affordable Waldorf education is available in the Verde Valley. Paula volunteered as a Desert Star Parent Council Chair for two years until the opportunity arose in 2008 to participate more full time in the office. She loves getting to know the rich diversity within the Desert Star community and especially looks forward to what gem a student will come up that makes her smile the rest of the day.

Paula graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a BS in Biochemistry. After working for eight years in biomedical research at UCLA, she left the laboratory to pursue her other interest and training in sustainable intergenerational community development. Her grant writing and administrative skills have assisted many non-profit organizations. Since moving from Hawaii to Sedona in 1995, she gave birth at home to a 10 pound baby at the age of 40, co-founded Music For Tots, an early childhood music program, Music For Tots, served on the first Sedona Youth Commission and consulted with many local community organizations. Paula has been living in Cornville for the last 3 years enjoying the rural lifestyle and her daughter’s developing wit and insight.