Jennifer Barnes, Reading Interventionist
Jennifer Barnes is a nationally certified Dyslexia Therapist who began teaching in Colorado public schools in 1997 as a Severe Needs Special Education teacher working with children with multiple disabilities and severe disabilities. Her time working with these children was inspired by her own sister, Megan, who was born with Trisomy 18, a genetic difference that creates significant needs. After realizing that she had many students who could read and write at a higher level than the Master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado prepared her for, Jennifer began training in Orton Gillingham-based reading interventions. This led to her switching to focus on Reading Intervention in the public schools, which was very rewarding.
Jennifer took time away from teaching in the public schools after the birth of her second child and, over the next 19 years, opened, taught at, and managed three Reggio-Emilia-inspired child care centers. It was wonderful to be able to bring her Special Education training and Reading Intervention to the young ones in her care. In the winter of 2013, Jennifer heard about the new Waldorf-inspired public charter school being developed in Colorado Springs. Jennifer joined the MSCS Preschool Committee, and once the school was opened, she began volunteering in her daughters’ classrooms and on the Parent Council. “The Waldorf experience was so refreshing after having been a teacher in the public school system and having my daughters go to a traditional public school for grades K-3 and K-1, respectively. The joy, the honoring of the head, heart, and hands of each child and teacher in the school made MSCS a wonderful place.”
The community struggled for 1 1/2 years, and Jennifer joined the MSCS Governing Board in February 2014 to strengthen and stabilize the school. She served on the Governing Board for 3 ½ years in various roles, including Vice President, President, Treasurer, and at-large member, working on many committees as well. In those days, MSCS had 6 leadership changes, and Jennifer was honored to work alongside many Founding Families and devoted volunteers at MSCS to keep the school stable. The work of revising many committees, including the Parent Council, started during her time on the Board.
After her first term on the Board, Jennifer served on the Finance Committee, the Ad Hoc Parent Council Revision Committee and the Futures Committee. She rejoined the Board in 2018 and served as President for two years during the site search and eventual purchase of the Whittier Building. She was honored to be the residing President to sign the property contract agreement that gave MSCS a permanent home. Her second term on the Board was also significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a challenging time for the entire community.” She concurrently joined the MSCS Building Corporation Committee (a separate entity from MSCS) as Treasurer to assist in managing and monitoring the large amount of Bond funds won by Dr. Teresa Woods for the school.
Jennifer wanted to work at MSCS for many years after seeing the positive impact the school had on her own children’s lives and how MSCS improved her family life. “Honoring the traditions, rhythm, routine, and celebrations with MSCS enriched our lives and created lasting bonds with others.” MSCS has a very special place in her heart.
Jennifer gladly accepted the opportunity to work at MSCS as a Reading Interventionist after completing a renowned two-year Dyslexia Therapist program at Colorado College. She loves the intentionality of Waldorf-inspired methods and the inspiration of her co-workers at MSCS.