Student Support Services

The Brooklyn Waldorf School’s Learning Support is an essential resource that seeks to sustain and expand the holistic wellbeing of every enrolled student, across academic, social-emotional, and mental health realms.  Whether through whole classroom support, small group activities, or personal work based on individual student need, our Learning Support educators collaborate closely with class teachers, faculty chairs, faculty administrators, and families to build a cohesive educational infrastructure that meets students where they are, fostering confidence and security as they venture forward into a life of learning.

Our families are encouraged to maximize BWS’ student support services by communicating about their child’s learning experience with class teachers and the Learning Support team early on in their educational journey.  In turn, if we believe additional attention may improve a student’s educational experience, we strive to maintain open communication with families in exploring short and long term strategies, ensuring every student has the necessary tools to confidently engage learning.  Our Learning Support program includes ancillary services from our school Clinician, our Social and Emotional Learning teacher, as well as external resources.  If it is determined a student would benefit from more substantial supplemental services, the Learning Support team assists families as they navigate the Department of Education/ IESP (Individual Education Services Program) systems, as well as private evaluation processes (DOE SETSS and related services are government-funded, while private tutoring and other parent-sourced support is family-funded.)

Our Student Support Services Team

Naomi Nocera: Director of Learning Support, academic support, Extra Lesson Practitioner specialist, Orton Gillingham Practitioner, and Educational Therapist.  Naomi Nocera serves as the Brooklyn Waldorf School’s Director of Learning Support and Extra Lesson Practitioner, heading the department which provides learning support systems to families, students, and teachers.  In her role, Naomi functions as a valuable resource to families and educators alike, offering workshops in the interest of furthering community understanding of child development, learning and support strategies.  As a member of the Care Team, she collaborates with the faculty administrators, school clinician, and teachers in determining appropriate accommodations and support services.  Naomi has 27 years of experience working with children, families, and graduate students in both public and private realms.  Her experience ranges from roles as teacher, adjunct professor, and fieldwork supervisor for graduate students to leadership positions.  She is trained in Sounds in Motion, Orton-Gillingham, and has advanced training in courses on Dyslexia and Executive Function. Naomi recently graduated from a three-year Waldorf Education Extra Lesson program through the Association of Healing Education.

Hana Sterner: Learning Support Associate, Department of Education Liaison, academic and social emotional support, Learning Support records and documentation management Auxiliary members: DOE-Department of Education sponsored SETSS providers (Special Education Teacher Support Service, Occupational and Speech Therapist, School Counselors) and private tutors.  Hana Sterner serves as the Brooklyn Waldorf School’s Learning Support Associate.  She works across the school to provide academic support to students by collaborating with teachers in the classroom, teaching students in small groups, and working one-on-one with individual students.  As a part of the Learning Support Team, Hana works cohesively with teachers and administrators to address the individual learning needs of our students.  Hana is a former Waldorf student herself, bringing a unique perspective and a deeply held understanding of the Waldorf approach to education.