Richmond Friends School | Richmond, Indiana

“In our classroom, we encourage students to challenge themselves socially, physically, and academically. We celebrate failures and mistakes as learning opportunities!

Aaron Cooney, Lead PreK-K Teacher and Aaliyah Newsome, Assistant Teacher

PreK and Kindergarten Supply List

Meet the teachers:

Aaron Cooney (PreK-K Lead Teacher)

Aaron graduated from Earlham College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. During his time at Earlham, he worked with kids in a variety of internships and volunteer settings. After graduating from Earlham, Aaron worked as the assistant PreK-K teacher under the mentorship of Marianne Cope. During this time, Aaron discovered his passion for teaching and enrolled in Indiana Wesleyan’s Transition to Teaching Program. In 2015, Aaron took over as the lead teacher in the PreK-K classroom.

Aaliyah Newsome (PreK-K Assistant Teacher)

Aaliyah is a Richmond high school graduate who started working as a lunch/recess assistant here at RFS in August 2022. She has always had a passion for working with kids. Once she saw an opportunity at RFS, she took it. She’s excited to be the new PreK-K aid and to be mentored by Aaron and the RFS staff!

"In addition to all the things that you consider as studies, RFS is teaching students what makes you a good person and a person that can operate in a complicated world. That is what it means to me when RFS says it educates the whole child.”

- Alex Eastman- RFS Alum

"I was worried about finances, but the head of school sat down with me and was understanding of my circumstances and worked with me to create a plan so Juniper could attend. I was excited that she would get to be at a school where she can be anything she wants to be and everyone will accept and love her."

- Sunshine Rankin and Juniper Dixon

"When we place nature at the center of our community, we come to realize the true abundance of the world we live in. This school puts these seeds of hope in its students; it changes how they move through the world, and it changes the communities they enter for the better.”

- Kian Eckert - RFS Alum

"Day to day, week to week, we have seen big jumps from Nico and Johanna. They feel excitement. They come home, and they want to share what they’ve done in class that day."

- The Casas-Sheets Family

“We needed an opportunity to give our daughter a healthy environment to grow, and RFS aligns with our values. Lucy has built a lot of confidence and friendships at school, and we love that she gets to interact with younger kids which wouldn't be possible in a traditional school setting.”

- The Burkhardt Family

"The teachers at RFS are able to give so much attention to individual students, so they don't get lost in the crowd of a large class. I love that Garret feels safe trying things that he may be initially uncomfortable or nervous about."

- The Kirk Family

"Before enrolling here, Tristan struggled with dyslexia, which caused him to fall behind in reading. Thanks to the kind teachers and kids at RFS, Tristan is now reading at grade level and is beginning to enjoy it. He loves coming to school in the morning!"