Ani Schaeffer

Born on a commune in Guilford, Vermont, and raised in Marlboro and Bennington, Ani attended a constructivist alternative school as a child, eventually going to Sarah Lawrence College. She then moved to New York City, where she lived for thirteen years, to pursue a full career as a conceptual choreographer and dancer. After traveling extensively in Asia, Ani went on to receive a Masters degree in architecture from Pratt institute. She then worked in sustainable design. After being in the classroom since 2007, in 2012 she got her MSEd. from Bank Street College. There, she focused on student centered, emergent curriculum and creative curriculum design. She is a licensed Vermont educator with almost fifteen years of experience working in public and private progressive Pre-K, elementary, and middle school classrooms, as well as running after school, outdoor, and summer programs. She has worked in both urban and rural schools, and with homeschooling families and in educational consultation with adults. Ani holds an Adolescent Diploma Credential from the International Montessori Training Institute, for which she is grateful to have been mentored by Laurie Ewert-Krocker, Tanesie Hale-Jones, and Colin Polombi. Ani is the mother of two highschoolers.