Shandra Koch

​Shandra Koch​ is an elementary educator with 19+ years of experience passionate about working with students with behavioral and special needs. She served as an Early Childhood Special Educator/lead pre-K teacher for 14 years at a Child Development Center. She works as a looping kindergarten/first-grade teacher, allowing her to stay with her students for two years. This extended bond provides “the opportunity to become a School Family.”

Shandra has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction (2024) from the University of Wyoming, with early childhood and special education endorsements. She started her Conscious Discipline journey in 2011 and became a Certified Instructor for Conscious Discipline in 2023 due to her passion for serving children in need. “Conscious Discipline has given me a deeper understanding and skill set to work with students exposed to various forms of trauma,” she says.   

Shandra’s also a certified Yoga instructor through the Sadhana School of Yoga and enjoys the intersectionality between yoga and Conscious Discipline practices.” I’ve included this practice with my students as part of our Brain Smart Starts and started a Yoga club after school. The students often ask if we can do Yoga or other mindfulness activities throughout the day.” 

Shandra is deeply committed to fostering a positive and inclusive classroom environment that supports students’ emotional well-being, social skills development, and academic success and to helping others do the same. She believes that “All children want to feel safe and loved. When children can express and explore in a safe environment, growth, and learning are bound to happen.” 

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