Rainbow Mountain Omega Program Staff
Susan Swanson Waddell, Omega Language Arts and Math Teacher
Susan has taught in the Omega Program since 2006. Prior to moving to Asheville, she spent 3 years teaching language arts and math in middle schools in Houston, Texas. Susan holds a Bachelors Degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from Elon College and also has her teaching certificate.
While in Texas, Susan not only taught but also developed instructional curricula and enrichment programs for language arts, reading literacy, and math. Her efforts earned her several honors including an invitation to present her reading program to the Texas Middle School Association and recognition by WGBH of Boston for her after-school math program. With WGBH’s support, Susan and her team produced an instructional video designed to help middle schools incorporate math enrichment activities in their after-school programs.
When Susan decided to move back East, a cousin directed her to Rainbow Mountain, “the best school in Asheville”. This strong recommendation brought her here; the school’s emphasis on building relationships between students, teachers and parents is what keeps her here. Susan is passionate about the importance of relationship and trust building, and she believes these efforts inspire self-directed, curious and eager learners.
Susan enjoys the challenge of teaching middle school students who can be adults one moment and then children the next. Her students are enthusiastic and creative thinkers who sometimes need help figuring out how to get information from their fingertips to their brains. Susan loves giving them the tools to make those connections. She appreciates that Rainbow’s project-based curriculum enables her to customize these tools to meet a variety of learning styles.
When Susan is not helping her students set personal goals, collaborating on a mega-theme project, inspiring “light bulb” moments, or nudging kids out the door at the end of the week, she enjoys spending time with her young family, reading, enjoying music, knitting and if there’s a spare half hour catching a home improvement reality show.
Jason Pilla Cannoncro, Omega Science and History Teacher
Jason recently returned to the east coast after living in California where he worked for the Wiyot Tribe. As the tribe’s tutor and Youth Coordinator he instructed and led academic, physical and cultural activities. He provided individual and group tutoring, as well as academic support services to the tribe’s youth and taught Positive Indian Parenting classes.
Additionally, Jason worked with at risk students in the California public school system using many alternative teaching methods, including Orton-Gillingham in which he is trained. Jason incorporates traditional storytelling, his vast knowledge of astronomy, and nature studies into his lessons.
With a degree in English Education from SUNY-Cortland, Jason always enjoys the continual exchange of wisdom that occurs between him and the children with whom he works – making connections through patience, respect and creativity.
Jason is grateful to be a part of the Rainbow Mountain community and is a source of inspiration to students and coworkers alike. Outside of RMCS, Jason is often found with his wife and new baby hiking, stargazing, or woodworking.
