Administration
Education Coordinator
Jaswant Kaur Khalsa
Twenty-five years ago, Jaswant joined Khalsa School as a parent, substitute, elementary summer program teacher, and after school staff member at the Coronado campus. In 1996, she joined the charter elementary staff working as an assistant in lower elementary. After her 6-12 Montessori elementary training, Jaswant led the upper elementary class for seven years followed by several years of co-teaching with Keerat Giordano. Two years ago, she launched the Upper Elementary North class, now led by Lindsay Caglio. She continues to work closely with the Upper Elementary team.
This year, Jaswant concentrates on her role as Education Coordinator. Her duties include staff support, class and student observation, parent education, and collaborating with teachers in maintaining the quality and consistency of our curriculum and educational environments. To fulfill these duties, Jaswant, along with Joan Sarin, guides our Wednesday evening Parent Education group, writes our parent education newsletter section, composes Khalsa School position papers, participates in staff meetings, and develops effective teacher-parent communication strategies. As needed, she communicates directly with teachers on day-to-day issues effecting their class, collaborates to develop effective strategies for individual students, and assists in parent meetings. Jaswant also coordinates all-teacher events such as book discussions, workshops, and community building events; and all-student educational events such as Peace Day, Visiting Author days, or other such events.
Jaswant graduated from the University of the State of New York with a B.S. in Psychology and a M.Ed. from Ottawa University, specializing in Montessori. She has also received her AMS Montessori 6-12 Elementary Certification from the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York (CMTE). Jaswant has a particular interest in community building processes such as collaborative decision-making and conflict mediation.
She is married to Satwant Singh Khalsa, the school director and is the mother of two daughters, 31 and 29, a stepson, 24, as well as the grandmother of two grandsons, 7 and 4. In addition to her work at Khalsa, her interests are painting, writing, natural health and nutrition, and natural building.
