Kristen Hawkinson, M.Ed., ET/P
Kindergarten – 8th Grade Learning Specialist

Available at Windrush:
Monday           Tuesday           Wednesday      Thursday
8:00-9:00         8:30-4:00         8:30-4:30        8:30-4:00

      voicemail #229

About the Learning Specialist:

Kristen holds a B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University and an M.Ed. in Educational Therapy from Holy Names University. In addition to her work at Windrush, where she has been the Elementary Learning Specialist since the fall of 2002, Kristen is a practicing Educational Therapist. She began her teaching career as an adult basic education instructor at the Talbot County (Maryland) Detention Center. Her interest in learning differences stems from that experience.

About the Learning Specialist Program:    

Our Grades K-8 Learning Specialist is on campus 24 hours per week. The Learning Specialist is available to support students with particular needs and to assist their teachers. As appropriate, the Learning Specialist performs very limited initial diagnostic screenings, observes students as well as offers learning skills and strategies, consults with parents/guardians, consults with teachers and administrators on ways to recognize and respond to learning differences, and serves as a team member supporting students with recognized learning needs. However, the school does not perform exhaustive assessments or evaluations, nor do we provide individual tutorial assistance to students.

Parents/Guardians with questions about their child’s learning style or needs are advised to review student progress with the classroom teacher. In addition to observing a student in action and before enlisting a Learning Specialist, teachers will typically review previous educational records and consult with the child’s parents/guardians and other teachers who have worked with the student.

In the event that a child would benefit from further educational evaluation, Windrush will assist families in identifying appropriate assessment services, including the local public school district and private assessment professionals.

Should questions about a learning disability arise, the school will endeavor to work collaboratively with the family for the mutual support of the child. If the school has significant concerns about a student’s progress, a support plan may be created to assist the student. Support plans summarize the issues at play, identify actions to address areas of concern, and if the student is eligible, outline appropriate learning accommodations. Please note that accommodations are only available to those students with documented Learning Disabilities. The development of a support plan will typically involve consultation with the child's parents/guardians, current teacher, the Division Head and/or Head of School, and any counselors or learning specialists working with the child.

                                      Windrush School: Family Handbook

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