Our Family | Our Teachers

Renee Karlin
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.

Melissa Hommer
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.

Susan Anderson
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.