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Our Family | Our
Teachers
5-day Teacher and Educational Director
I can admit that I share in my students’
excitement whenever we begin a new project, try a different craft or
learn a new song. I feel absolutely lucky that my career focuses on
helping children and parents learn more about themselves and the world.
My experiences are varied and interesting everyday – just as our
students and their parents. As a teacher at Glenbrook, my love of
children and learning get a daily workout and reward!
Although a native Californian, I have lived in
the Washington, DC, area for the last 25 years. With degrees from
University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Maryland,
I taught at various private schools in the area as a classroom teacher,
special education teacher, and administrator. While completing graduate
work in special education, I had the pleasure of participating in a
pilot program developing curricula and techniques for gifted students
with learning disabilities. This experience led me to facilitate several
mentoring programs for beginning teachers and to work extensively in
curriculum development. I am interested in many aspects of education:
brain function, learning styles, language acquisition – even
classroom design.
I first joined the Glenbrook community as a
cooping parent when my daughter entered the 2’s class in 2002. My
daughter thrived at Glenbrook and we soon felt at home. During her time
as a student here, I had the opportunity to be a member of the
co–oping community, join the Board of Directors and serve as
Glenbrook’s President. I joined the teaching staff at Glenbrook
during the 2004–2005 school year.
I enjoy the energy of the Fabulous Fours and
Fives! There are few things more satisfying than seeing these young
minds discover the alphabet, counting, and other pre-academic skills. I
truly believe my classroom provides a safe place for students to learn
through exploration, play, music, art, movement, and invention. And
while my students play and learn, I also find it rewarding to support
and nurture their individual learning styles and to help them become
aware of their own strengths and challenges. One of the many gratifying
aspects to my experience as a teacher at Glenbrook is the opportunity to
get to know parents inside the classroom and out. I see Glenbrook
parents as my partners as we work together to provide the most
appropriate and nurturing school experiences for their child.
4-day Teacher
I first joined the teaching staff at Glenbrook in 1994
and with the exception of a year off (2005-06) have been
working with the 3’s and young 4’s and their families
since then. I believe that children learn through their
play and that play is their work. Fred Rogers said it
well: "Play is often talked about as if it were a relief
from learning. Play is the real work of childhood." We do
a lot of playing in my classroom; the play takes
different forms. If you were to come in to observe at the
beginning of the year, you would see children engaged in
solitary play, parallel play and perhaps even some
cooperative play. As the children progress through the
year, you would see more cooperative play. We also enjoy
teacher-led activities and games in which all children
are encouraged to take part.
I am concerned with all aspects of each child’s
development, including physical, emotional, social, and
cognitive growth. Each area is addressed in various ways
throughout the year. However, it is fair to say that with
this age group, my primary focus is on their emotional
and social development. I want each member of my class to
look forward to coming to school and to be an eager
participant in classroom activities. I see myself as a
guide who helps the children learn how to interact not
only with their peers, but also with adults who are not
family members. I encourage them to converse, share, take
turns, ask questions, problem solve, and to develop
self-awareness and empathy. I try to foster independence
and self-control. I want the children to develop healthy
habits and an awareness of and love for nature and also
want them to be able to express their creativity through
art, music, movement, block building or whatever may
inspire them.
In addition to teaching at Glenbrook, I enjoy spending
time with my family and friends, solving crossword
puzzles, and reading.
2 day and 3 day Teacher
I am a transplant to the DC area (as many are).
Originally I am from Massachusetts where I also attended the University
of Massachusetts in Amherst. For many years I worked in the hotel
industry. I was drawn to that work because of the wonderful contact with
guests and the many coworkers. It was in a hotel that I met my husband,
Douglas. He is a chef and I would marry him again for his creamy
mushroom risotto. There were 9 years where we lived in 4 cities before
we settled in DC. We have two boys, Grant and Raine, and the three of
them keep me on my toes. Our whole family loves reading, stories of all
kinds, and being outside.
After I had my own children I realized that I
really wanted to spend more time with my family than hotel work allowed
and chose to be home for my children’s early years. These years brought
me to Glenbrook as a co–oping parent. Once I started at Glenbrook, I
never really left. Along with being a co–oping parent, I spent two years
working in Glenbrook’s Sibling Nursery program.
I am very excited by the additional insights on
working with the whole child that I gained while completing teacher
training. I am a firm believer in the play based learning philosophy
practiced at Glenbrook Nursery School. As adults, we are tempted to
often call their activities play. On closer inspection, their faces will
often show a focus and concentration that lets you know that learning is
going on. I enjoy children immensely and as my own get a little older, I
am happy to have this opportunity to continue using play dough, reading
picture books and having outdoor play time. I thank the parents who will
let me help nurture and grow their children.
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