Farren Wyner

Nurturing the unique gifts of every child and designing lessons that are enjoyable, accessible, and engaging light me up! My 16+ years of elementary teaching experience in California and Colorado exposed me to a variety of school and classroom experiences, though I genuinely believe they have all led me to Friends School, and I am thrilled to be a part of this school community. Friends School’s focus and my values dovetail beautifully, in regards to the balance of critical and creative thinking with social-emotional learning. Throughout my career, I have always believed strongly in celebrating my students for exactly who they are, facilitating their growth, and creating a safe, positive, and stimulating classroom community.

My childhood and early adulthood were spent in Southern California, though I yearned for seasons and more natural beauty. At Indiana University I studied journalism and French because I love expressing myself through writing and am enamored with French literature and culture. My husband and I made our way from California to Colorado, and we haven’t looked back. I enjoy biking, world travel, vegetable gardening, reading, poetry, pottery, competitive tennis, hosting parties with yummy foods, playing with my dog and two cats, and hiking with friends and family. My heroes are Malala Yousafzai, tennis great Serena Williams, and former First Lady and activist Eleanor Roosevelt. I love learning about world cultures and sincerely believe that most essential life lessons can be learned from Star Wars (“Luminous beings are we…”) and The Little Prince.

Favorite quote: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” – A. de Saint-Exupery

Certifications:

• Orton-Gillingham
• Responsive Classroom
• Gold Standard Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Mindful Schools