Wally Lederer, MA

ledererw@njhealth.org

 

Why did you want to become a child advocate?
I thought that I could make a difference in a child's life, by sharing what I have learned working with kids that have a chronic illnesses. I went back to school after thirty-three years to get my Master's Degree in Education, to show students the importance of life-long learning, and that if you put your mind to something you can accomplish anything you deem important.

 

What is it like to work at Kunsberg?
I think that sometimes teaching at Kunsberg can be a challenge; kids come in with out-of-control asthma, feeling like they can never get caught up and no one understands the difficulties they have managing their illness and managing school.

 

Where did you go to school and when?
I went to school in the dark ages. The school I went to was St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 1971,where I earned a B.A in Sociology. In 2006 I earned a M.A in Elem. Education from the University of Phoenix.

 

How did you find out about Kunsberg?
I was asked to come here. I used to work in the hospital (National Jewish Health), and I had patients from the floor that came to Kunsberg. I was familiar with the staff, and they asked me if I wanted a job when a spot was open.

 

What do you do in your spare time?
When I'm not working, I drive my sons to soccer and theater. I also like to walk my dog, read fiction, play golf and make golf clubs, and cook mass quantities of food for my sixteen year old twin boys.

 

What is your favorite teaching story?
Seeing the light go on when someone who has been struggling gets it. Quite satisfying.

 

What is your education and work history?
I worked at a Catholic Charities residential treatment facility in Winona, MN. Later I worked at the Children's Asthma Research Hospital from 1975 to 1981. I have worked at National Jewish Health from 1983-present. I was a counselor on the dual diagnosis unit, a school counselor at Kunsberg, a fifth and sixth grade teacher for three years, and now I am the child advocate at Kunsberg School.