Dr. Sara Knickerbocker

Dr. Sara Knickerbocker launched The Core Initiative to address the needs of those at the heart of our schools—the educators! As a school psychologist and learning specialist, she is dedicated to transforming school cultures by attending to the mental health and social-emotional well-being of educators while supporting teachers' professional development as they strive to meet the needs of diverse learners. Dr. Knickerbocker has developed her skills and experience in a variety of settings including public and private schools, educational non-profits and private practice. She worked for over six years as a learning specialist and school psychologist at a Montessori school where she developed the learning support program, facilitated school-based interventions for academic and social/emotional and behavioral challenges and provided professional development to faculty to support teachers in meeting the individual needs of their students. Her Ph.D. in School Psychology provides a comprehensive and dynamic lens for understanding the unique challenges facing teachers, students and their families. Prior to pursuing her graduate education, Sara worked as a secondary language arts teacher which enhances her relationships with teachers because she has navigated multiple perspectives within a school setting--teacher, parent, and administrator. In addition to her expertise in the areas of child development, mindfulness, school culture, differentiation, learning disabilities, and systemic change, Dr. Knickerbocker is a lifelong student of transformative tools designed to support the creation of an expansive and joyful life.

Join her on your own learning journey.

78% of teachers today report being physically or emotionally exhausted.

- October 2017 study