Henry Wright
Special Education Teacher
Henry Wright has been teaching at Otto Specht School since 2023 as a Special Education Teacher. He holds a Master of Science in Education with certifications in K–6 General Education and K–12 Special Education, as well as a B.A. in French from the University of Vermont. Henry began his career through the NYC Teaching Fellows Program, working in high-needs schools in the South Bronx, and later spent 17 years at the Bronx High School for the Visual Arts as a teacher and special education coordinator. At Otto Specht, he has taught world history, reading, writing, algebra, and geometry, while also supporting both high school and middle school students. He lives in northern Westchester and balances his work with family life, caring for his daughter, his Great Pyrenees, and pursuing piano lessons. Henry values the Waldorf approach and the therapeutic support Otto Specht offers its students.
Staff Q&A:
Current Title/Role at Otto Specht:
Special Education Teacher
When did you start working at OSS?
9/1/2023
What is your educational background?
Master of Science in Education, K-6 Gen Ed, K-12 Special Ed
NYS Permanent Certification K-12 Special Education; NYS Provisional Certification K-6
B.A. French, University of Vermont
What roles or life experiences brought you to education or to Otto Specht? Include any previous work, career changes, or personal callings.
About 25 years ago, I volunteered to do some literacy work at a small catholic boys school on the lower east side of Manhattan. I decided to apply for the NYC Teaching Fellows Program designed to fill high need teaching positions in the city. I worked on my masters and taught concurrently in the South Bronx for two years at a special middle school for kids with emotional/behavioral/academic challenges. I wouldn’t have lasted a third year. Fortunately, a professor at Hunter referred me to the Bronx High School for the Visual Arts where I spent the next 17 years co-teaching in English, Algebra, Geometry, Earth Science and Physics, and also served as the special education coordinator for about seven years. After one year of retirement, Otto Specht and I found each other on Indeed.com. I am starting my third year as a part time teacher. Most of my work during the last two years has been with the high school, but I also worked with some 5-7 graders.
What have you taught or led here? Any specific grades, subjects, or programs? Any key milestones or contributions?
I was a support teacher for Mrs Irimina’s high school main lesson during the first two years. I also taught the high school students world history, reading, writing, algebra and geometry. I have also provided support to two Otto Specht students who were integrated into the GMWS program their senior year. I taught reading and writing to a 7th grade class and algebra to a 7th grade student. I read a lot of stories to one of our non-verbal students and assisted the OT with keyboard training for him.
What do you enjoy outside of school? Any hobbies, languages, family details, or connections to the Chestnut Ridge/Waldorf community you’d like to share?
Sadly, I am somewhat geographically isolated from the Waldorf Community. I commute from Katonah in northern Westchester. I am very busy there shuttling my daughter to equestrian training and dive practice after school and getting Ruby, our 90 lb Great Pyrenees, to the dog park. My wife gets home from work late enough to miss the chaotic after school plans. I’ve given up performing in community theater for now. That has been a passion of mine for many years. As a substitute, I take piano lessons with the hope that some year I’ll play a piece with the fluency it deserves.
Is there anything you’d like us to include that hasn’t been covered above?
I very much appreciate the Waldorf approach to education and the wide ranging therapeutic support that Otto Specht offers to serve the diverse needs of its students.