PRIMARY TEACHING
(AGES 3-6)
I am an early childhood educator currently working at Clover Montessori School in Northwest Philadelphia. The insight, kindness, humor, and curiosity of my students blow me away; I am so grateful to play a part in their learning. Beyond the academic lessons I give on math and language, my goal is for students to feel capable of tending to their needs not only practically (for example, serving and cleaning up their own snack) but emotionally (perhaps seeking a safe shoulder to cry on or expressing a boundary when playing with a friend). It also brings me big joy to share a love of nature with my students. Together we have delved into gardening, natural dyes, and many lessons on the plants, animals, and fungi of our neighborhood.
As my job is to help kids grow in an unjust world, resistance and revolution are central to my teaching. Children are keenly observant; they notice patterns in how people are treated and when those in charge are acting more harmful than helpful. They deserve to learn about their world in terms that are empowering rather than disorienting, so we use accessible language to talk about ways to care for each other in the face of oppression -- whether that means marching together for racial justice or redistributing food to neighbors in need. To this end, I also strive to celebrate the unique cultures and perspectives we each carry through books, food, music, conversation, crafts, dance, and language so that every child knows they are valued for being exactly who they are in our classroom. For more on teaching liberation for little ones, I recommend the thoughtful curriculum and offerings at Woke Kindergarten!
As my job is to help kids grow in an unjust world, resistance and revolution are central to my teaching. Children are keenly observant; they notice patterns in how people are treated and when those in charge are acting more harmful than helpful. They deserve to learn about their world in terms that are empowering rather than disorienting, so we use accessible language to talk about ways to care for each other in the face of oppression -- whether that means marching together for racial justice or redistributing food to neighbors in need. To this end, I also strive to celebrate the unique cultures and perspectives we each carry through books, food, music, conversation, crafts, dance, and language so that every child knows they are valued for being exactly who they are in our classroom. For more on teaching liberation for little ones, I recommend the thoughtful curriculum and offerings at Woke Kindergarten!