Auburn Today The Auburn School Professional Newsletter S u m m e r
The Auburn School Mission Growing the social and academic potential of bright students with social and communication challenges
Auburn celebrates successful inaugural year The Auburn School’s Herndon Campus closed a very successful first year of operations in June. The Herndon Campus opened in September 2009 welcoming a small group of bright students who were unhappy in school and who were not reaching their academic or social potential. Over the course of the year, this group of students has been transformed by the stimu-
lating, supportive environment provided at Auburn. “Our students have made such amazing strides,” said founder, Erik Heyer. “They have truly blossomed socially and academically.” Auburn is still accepting applications for both the Herndon and Silver Spring campuses.
Student Achievement
Capital Schools, Auburn's parent organization, named one of the nation’s top 20 most promising startups
“We have the opportunity to truly adapt to student needs, developing and implementing creative solutions to support their success.” Auburn Teacher
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In April 2010, Capital Schools was named one of the Top 20 Most Promising Startups in the nation by Venture Capital Journal. Capital Schools was ranked #14 out of over 1,200 companies evaluated. The process looked at several factors, including quality of the management team and market opportu-
K., a 1st grader, joined Auburn mid-year, as an easily frustrated child who was quite resistant to change. In his short time at the school, his rigidities have become much more easily redirected. He is able to understand and cope with changes to schedule, staff, or activities. In addition he has learned self-coping skills to use independently when he feels overwhelmed or frustrated. His improvements are remarkable and a great representation of the potential in students shining through at Auburn.
nity. The selection for the award was entirely attributable to Capital’s work with The Auburn School, which is the organization’s sole focus at this time. While most of the companies honored were Silicon Valley technology startups, Capital was a highly unique inclusion based on its educational and social mission. Auburn and Capital Schools view this honor as a significant acknowl-
edgement of the national importance of its mission, and of the rapidly growing need to create high quality educational programs for children on the autism spectrum. Exciting work is ahead as Capital continues to build The Auburn School into a national model program.
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“OK, I have to say school rocks! Before I came, I hated school, but not anymore.” Auburn Student
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School Staff Complete bios can be found on the Auburn website Herndon Campus • Margarita Benavides, behavior support specialist • Matthew Benedetti, physical education specialist, middle school learning assistant • Joan Blumstein, office manager • Elizabeth Page Caffrey, middle school teacher • Sara Catherine Corbett, director of admissions • Chelsea Miolee, elementary school teacher • Linnea Nelson, head of school • Nathan Poole, elementary school teacher, technology coordinator • Shirley Rosario, music/art teacher, after school program specialist, and learning assistant • Kim Sullivan, licensed occupational therapist • Tara Tullius, speech and language pathologist • Amber Walsh, middle school teacher
Silver Spring Campus • Niesha Cumberbatch, teacher • Victoria Geis, director of admissions • Sandra Kleinman, Ed.D., head of school • Erin Power, teacher • Mollie Schmitz, teacher
Interested in joining the team? Student Achievement R, a 5th grader, came to The Auburn School from Montgomery County Public Schools with significant deficits in social skills among his peers and difficulty in social interactions, particularly in larger group settings. In his first year at Auburn, R.’s anxiety and openness to new friendships and relationships among his peers has improved significantly. He is much less rigid in social settings and more open to enjoying the moment and letting his guard down. His progress has truly contributed to his social interactions and allowed him to build strong friendships, giving him a newfound confidence.
The Auburn School is looking for passionate professionals to complete our Silver Spring team. Specialists will work collaboratively with teachers in lower and elementary school to provide effective support and activities that help students succeed in and outside of the classroom.
Visit www.theauburnschool.org for details
Management Team Expands
The Auburn School’s management team at Capital Schools has grown significantly in recent months. A group of experienced and award winning leaders in education, social entrepreneurship and business has joined founder, Erik Heyer, director of marketing, Allison Ober, business manager Amy Walker, and Auburn’s two new Heads of School, Linnea Nelson and Sandra Kleinman (see stories at right). This new team has a wealth of combined experience leading and managing highly successful private schools and
A u b u r n T o d a y T h e A u b u r n S c h o o l
Behavior Specialist/Psychologist Part Time Speech Language Pathologist Part Time Occupational Therapist
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educational programs and are all strongly committed to the Auburn mission. Marina Major came to Capital Schools in January as executive vice president and oversees all financial, operational and development functions at The Auburn School. She joins Auburn after 10 years with British Schools of America, where she served as both its CFO and COO and was responsible for starting up four schools in the U.S. Ms. Major had oversight and responsibility for all BSA operations and served on the school’s board of directors. Pia Bernardini joined Capital Schools as director of operations in May. She joins Auburn following eight years working in admissions, marketing and operations at the British Schools of America. A for-
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mer teacher, Ms. Bernardini previously managed academic programs in the medical school and School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Most recently, Liane Faermann, joined Capital Schools in July as vice president of human resources. Ms. Faermann worked at Sidwell Friends School for nine years, the past eight as director of human resources. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and has presented at local and national independent school conferences, including NAIS. Ms. Faermann is also a founding member of the first group of HR professionals who work in independent schools in the DC metro area.
Sandra Kleinman to lead new Silver Spring campus In May 2010, Auburn was thrilled to officially announce that it would be bringing The Auburn School to Maryland. After a nationwide search, Dr. Sandra Kleinman was appointed as Head of School for the new Auburn campus. Dr. Kleinman joins Auburn with 35 years of experience as an education professional. She served as Executive Director at The Howard School in Atlanta for nine years, and worked at The Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School for 12 years, serving children with learning and communication disorders. Dr. Kleinman has also been a consultant in education leadership and learning differences, and a lecturer and professor at Boston College, Emory University, Emerson College and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kleinman has a joint
appointment at Capital Schools as vice president of education, research and partnerships. Victoria Geis will join Dr. Kleinman in Silver Spring as the admissions director. Ms. Geis has worked with the Auburn/Capital team for the past year working on staff recruitment. Her extensive knowledge of Auburn and its mission are a true asset. Three classroom teachers have also been appointed, each with an impressive background as well as a strong dedication to our mission. The school is still looking for a psychologist and/or behavior support specialist and part-time Occupational Therapist and Speech Language Therapist. See job descriptions on the website for more
information. The Auburn School—Silver Spring Campus is conveniently located just off the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495). The campus has a large sports field and a playground.
“Our daughter's teachers have been able to turn challenging situations into learning opportunities, and have done a terrific job of communicating with us. I feel like we are operating as a team in her academic and social education.” Auburn Parent
Linnea Nelson appointed to head Herndon campus Ms. Nelson Brings Over 25 Years of Experience Serving Students with Unique Learning Needs to the Position Following an extensive search, Linnea Nelson was selected as Head of School for The Auburn SchoolHerndon Campus. Ms. Nelson was formerly the Director of the Learning Center at the Flint Hill School in Oakton, Virginia. She brings with her a wealth of leadership experience and
a demonstrated record of success in serving children with unique learning needs. Her passion for excellence has resulted in national recognition of the Learning Center. In addition to her work within schools, Linnea has been recognized for her talents by the National Association of Independent Schools and is an active leader in the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. She has watched the development of Auburn with enthusiasm and is delighted to be part of a school team that applauds and supports children's academic and social success. Also new to The Auburn School—Herndon Campus is Sara Catherine Corbett as the director of admissions. Ms. Corbett has worked in the ad-
missions field for eight years, at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and at Carlow University in Pittsburgh. While at both schools, she worked with students throughout the country and has been praised for her personalized approach to working with families as they traverse the admission process.
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2010-2011 Professional Information Sessions Herndon Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 8:00 a.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011, 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 8:00 a.m.
Herndon Campus 13525 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 101 Herndon, VA 20171
Silver Spring Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 8:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011, 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 8:00 a.m.
admissions.herndon@theauburnschool.org
2010-2011 Prospective Parent Open Houses
Silver Spring Campus
Herndon and Silver Spring Thursday, October 7, 2010, 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011, 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
9545 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 admissions.silverspring@theauburnschool.org www.theauburnschool.org
“Auburn is the school for people like me!” Auburn Student
Summer fun at The Auburn School—Herndon campus is a success Summer Social Skills Program Focuses on Fun and Friendship Summer 2010 at the Herndon Campus is busy with summer camp activities. Each week the camp has welcomed a group of students from the Herndon and Silver Spring campuses, and the wider community. The camp is designed to help students improve and maintain their social and selfregulation skills in an engaging and supportive environment. Students are practicing crucial strategies for making and maintaining friendships
through fun activities such as movement, sports, dance, arts and crafts, science experiments, cooking projects, and outdoor play. Activities particularly enjoyed by the students include:
• cycling through a bicycle obstacle course led by members of the Bike to the Beach for autism team which required students to trust new adults, ask for help, and to take risks while riding through an unfamiliar course.
• a visit from the local fire department,
sign one maze with input from everyone.
• making ice cream using Ziplock bags and rock salt in which students demonstrated a willingness to try new things and to work with different textures, temperatures, and tastes. The summer program presents a wonderfully opportunity to allow students to work on their social skills while being fully involved in activities that they find stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable. Most importantly, they are making friends: “I like playing with [my new friend] in the gym. He makes me laugh”, said one summer program student.
who assisted students with their egg drop project in which students practiced patience while waiting for their turn and showed a willingness to risk disappointment should their egg break “For the first time in his life, our son loves school! He during the drop.
can’t wait to get there every morning and doesn’t want maze for pet hermit crabs. This to leave at the end of the day. He has finally found a project required collaboration, place where he fits in and is accepted for who he is and not chided for who he isn’t.” flexibility, and accepting the
• working together to create a
ideas of others in order to de-
Auburn Parent