The Homestead School Project

Role: Communications Consultant and Faculty Member
Nestled in the Delaware Valley and Catskill regions of New York, The Homestead School has been providing students a holistic Montessori education since 1978. When I first discovered this school, I couldn’t believe that something so magical could exist. From the school’s progressive outlook on education to its emphasis on community, service, and nature, I knew Homestead was an energetic hub for all of the good things I believe the world deserves. The school experienced a major shift in 2020 as it opened a second campus to support its new secondary school program, while also transitioning from a privately-run school into a non-profit organization. With this organizational shift came the need for faculty members, as well as more robust internal and external communications strategies—and this is where some of my expertise collided. From copy writing and editing, producing photography and video shoots, developing internal and external communication protocols, aligning on social media, and a full website overhaul, my work at Homestead is focused on maintaining the ethos of the school while putting a clearer focus on our communication goals as an organization.

The Work

Introducing Homestead Collaborative College High School (CCHS)

When the Homestead Collaborative College High School opened its doors, we created numerous initiatives to introduce the secondary school not only to the current Homestead families, but the broader community as well. From newspaper coverage, to a ribbon cutting ceremony, the Collaborative College High School arrived with a splash. My work on this initiative began with producing, directing, and editing the Window into CCHS video, giving prospective families and the community a sense of the secondary program on a practical and philosophical level.

The Academic Review

The Academic Review is a monthly digital publication designed to highlight academic concepts, classes, and skills our Homestead School students are working on. I proposed to create this publication as a way for the parent community to understand the process behind their students’ education. As Editor in Chief, I work with a small team to produce each edition. Beginning in 2024, the publication first placed a focus on shedding light on the secondary program, with plans for expansion into the lower grades in Feb 2025.

Website Overhaul, Updated Photography, and Visual Imager Refresh

Beginning in Sep 2024, I’ve taken on the expansive project to completely redesign the Homestead School website. Along with the current redesign are multiple photography projects I am producing in order to update the visual imagery to match the progressive academics of both the primary and secondary campuses. As the director of each visual project, I collaborate with volunteer professionals to capture, create, and design visuals that will ultimately lead to a more cohesive visual palette for the school. More visuals to come….

The River Reporter features my Capstone Class

As always, students are at the heart and soul of any school. Which is why we go all out when local newspapers reach out to us for any updates. In this feature by reporter Ted Waddell, The River Reporter spent an afternoon with my 10th grade Capstone Class to chat with my students about their projects. The results of our students’ media training and the passion and focus our students have are on full display in this excellent press coverage of our secondary program.

One School Initiative | Copy Writing and Editing

As part of Phase 1 to define a unifying voice for the expanded Homestead School, I am involved in copy writing and copy editing various internal and external communications. Additionally, I am directly working with administration to create protocols for developing a more unified school voice.