The Hub Journal

2. How long have you been in education? 

This is my 14th year in preschool!

3. What made you want to go into teaching? 

Honestly, I stumbled into teaching. After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts, I knew I didn’t want to pursue acting but I needed a job. I had fond memories of my high school teachers and I decided to start substitute teaching there. I knew right away that I really enjoyed it but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. It wasn’t until I substitute taught for a preschool class that everything clicked into place. I knew that was where I was meant to be. 

4. What do you enjoy most about being an educator? 

I LOVE working with preschoolers and preschool teachers. Every day is fun, different, and forces me to use my whole brain to help everyone succeed. It’s a pleasure to watch my teachers and their students grow from day to day and year to year.  

5. What is your favorite Teaching Strategies tool? How has it made your job easier, more fun, or saved you time? 

I love the Coaching to Fidelity app and the Fidelity Checklist. They help me guide my teachers' growth so they can better serve their students. 

6. What is your favorite memory as an educator? 

I love celebrating my teachers when they reach their goals. I am lucky to have many of these memories throughout the school year because my teachers are great! 

7. In what ways does Teaching Strategies support you as an educator? 

I look forward to Paula Guzman-Bell’s Coaching Cohorts every week. I’m continuously impressed with the material she covers, as it is useful and never repetitive. She is a wealth of knowledge and I look forward to soaking up as much info as I can! 

8. What advice would you give your fellow educators? 

The field of education is constantly changing because our students’ needs are changing. The most successful teachers are those who commit to being lifelong learners so they can best serve their students. My advice would be to push past any nerves, be brave, and try something new. It may be the key to your students’ success.

9. What are your hobbies outside of teaching? 

Staying true to my Theatre Arts roots, I teach and perform improv comedy with ComedySportz Philly. I use so many facets of improv in my daily life. For example, being on stage has taught me to understand how to make a crowd laugh. At work, this translates to the ability to understand and form deep, lasting connections with my teachers.

10. What is a fun fact about you that others may not know? 

I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and am currently pursuing my EdD in Educational Leadership. So far, in both programs, I have a 4.0 GPA! AKA, I’m too busy studying to do much else.

11. Can you share an example of how Teaching Strategies helped you make a big impact? 

This year, 40% of our preschool team were new teachers. My focus for the year was using the Teaching Strategies curriculum to fidelity, specifically the Intentional Teaching Cards. In a matter of months, my teachers went from doing small groups that weren’t always developmentally appropriate, to doing small groups focused on several observable skills. They are all able to use the Intentional Teaching Card Teaching Sequences to easily scaffold their student’s learning. They’re also able to either instantly document their students’ abilities in their lesson plans or use the On the Spot documentation forms. Without Teaching Strategies, none of this would be possible.

12. In what ways has The Hub supported you as an educator? 

The Hub has connected me with like-minded preschool teachers, coaches, and admin who are also looking to improve their practice. I look forward to seeing the unique ideas everyone brings to the table.  

13. How does Teaching Strategies help you address the unique needs of every child? Can you share an example?  

I encourage my teachers to review their Class Profile often. It helps ensure that they’re aware of each student’s individual strengths and needs. This way, they can target interventions to help with what their students actually need, as opposed to what teachers may assume is needed.

14. Please provide any other information you’d like your fellow educators to know about you.