Andy Smallman

Background

About Andy Smallman

I am a Washington State certified teacher with Special Education endorsements. With over 35 years of experience empowering young people, my career has been dedicated to helping people recognize their inherent value and connect to their authentic selves. I specialize in gently helping young people feel respected and appreciated, with a knack for assisting them in finding their spark, particularly neurodiverse children and those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. I also work with students who have learning, social, emotional, and/or health challenges, or those seeking a more personalized model than traditional school settings. I view my work as being a facilitator—someone who makes things easier for others—rather than solely a traditional teacher. My goal is to help students access the inner wisdom they possess, empowering them and growing their confidence. My approach is centered on drawing things out naturally from students, helping them start from within and move outward. I was the visionary and founding director of the Puget Sound Community School (PSCS), an innovative independent micro-school in Seattle, which I led for 24 years. I co-founded PSCS in 1994 to create a style of education designed to help middle and high school students build on their strengths and nurture their intrinsic motivation. The foundational premise of PSCS is that when students feel safe, secure, and supportive, their natural curiosity carries them to unparalleled self- and community-awareness. Through this work, I developed a curriculum and an international reputation for promoting kindness and compassion. Currently, I serve as Principal of Spring Academy, where I provide educational leadership for a highly personalized, one-to-one instructional model. This role focuses on customization tailored to the individual student’s schedule, interests, strengths, and academic goals. In all my roles, I am passionate about promoting Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), leadership skills, and self-worth. My primary educational goals are two-fold: for students to recognize their own authenticity and individuality, and to recognize their responsibility to contribute positively to the communities they belong to. I strive to help people, both younger and older, see the awe both inside and all around them.