By Melanie Ingler | Communications Coordinator
We are thrilled to introduce Christina Assirati as WSP’s new Pedagogical Administrator for Preschool – Grade 5.
Christina brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a dedication to Waldorf education that will enrich our school community.
Christina’s journey into Waldorf education began in Brazil while teaching at a bilingual preschool. Faced with having to teach three-year-olds to read and write, she began to explore different approaches and discovered Waldorf education through a colleague’s recommendation to visit her friend’s Waldorf Kindergarten. Christina was immediately captivated by the beautiful environment and natural materials. This experience, and speaking with the teacher about the curriculum, led her to delve deep into Waldorf philosophy.
Soon after, Christina enrolled in the local Waldorf teacher training program while at the same time pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in education from the University of São Paulo. Her dedication continued as she and her family moved to Chicago, where Christina completed her Waldorf Teacher Training, as well as worked at the Chicago Waldorf School as a substitute teacher and kindergarten assistant. With two young children in tow, she and her husband embarked on a year-long adventure working abroad in Nairobi, Kenya. While there, Christina volunteered at the Nairobi Waldorf School, further expanding her global perspective on Waldorf education. There she and her mother-in-law enjoyed teaching workshops on Waldorf doll making.
After returning to Chicago, Christina began her career as an Early Childhood teacher at the Chicago Waldorf school. In 2015, she and her family relocated to the Bay Area, where she joined WSP as our Honeybee Lead Teacher. For the past decade, Christina has been an integral part of our community, both as an educator and as a parent to two daughters who attended WSP.
Christina’s transition to the role of Pedagogical Administrator stems from her desire to serve WSP on a larger scale. She sees this not only as an opportunity for personal growth, but also to contribute strategically to the school’s development. With the upcoming re-accreditation and the recently developed Strategic Plan, Christina believes this is an inspiring time to take on this new role.
At WSP, the role of the Pedagogical Administrator is to support and guide teachers, provide administrative structure for the functioning of the school, and serve as a liaison for students and parents for a wide variety of needs. This includes recruitment and onboarding of faculty, overseeing faculty professional development and classroom observation, tracking student progress and identifying support needs, as well as proactively partnering with parents regarding student needs.
In her new position, Christina intends to:
- Keep the Student Experience at the Center of What We Do: This is at the heart of all decisions and initiatives.
- Strengthen Relationships: Foster collaboration between faculty, parents, administration, and board, ensuring everyone feels supported and heard.
- Support New Teachers: Provide mentorship and guidance to help our new teachers integrate into our community and understand our school’s culture.
- Enhance Educational Support: Prioritize the growth of our educational support department.
Christina also welcomes parents to reach out to her with questions about the curriculum or any concerns they may have. She looks forward to offering guidance and fostering collaboration between parents and faculty. Email Christina to reach out to her and find a time to talk, join an upcoming hike, or an introductory virtual session (more information coming soon).
Quick Facts about Christina
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- Her love for chemistry in school, with its orderly nature and emphasis on careful observation, led her to initially study Health and Nutrition.
- If she had to recommend just one book to parents and faculty members, or maybe the first book, it is Torin Finser’s The Second Classroom.
- Outside of work, Christina enjoys crisp morning hikes with her husband and their Yorkie Poo, Gigi. She also loves swimming in warm waters and paddle boarding on lakes and rivers.
- A unique hobby she picked up while volunteering at children’s hospitals is “diamond painting.”
- At 15, she underwent open-heart surgery, an experience that has profoundly influenced her worldview.
- Her multicultural background – with a Brazilian mother and German father – has shaped her personality. She credits her German heritage for her punctuality!
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As we welcome Christina Assirati to her new role, we look forward to the positive impact she will have on our school community. Her experience, dedication, and vision for WSP promises to strengthen our educational programs and foster a supportive environment for students, teachers, and parents alike. Christina is excited to contribute to WSP in this new capacity and is committed to providing the same positive experience her family enjoyed to other families and children.
