Joyous Journey Learning Hub

I have always been very hands-on, community based and experiential, with a fine eye on equity both in the classroom and beyond, and with a focus on child-led and wholistic learning. I am constantly searching for ways to connect learning with real world experiences, and am a big proponent of Visual Thinking Strategies, Sustainability Education, Mindful Classrooms, Play-based Projects-based Learning, and the Responsive Classroom Approach. I love teaching children how to read and then to use an inquiry projects-based approach for reading to learn and believe in the beautiful unfolding of the Constructivist Math philosophy in order to develop a true foundation of number sense and manipulation of numbers and patterns with ease. Throughout all I do, I always weave play, art, nature, and experience into the day to day and most of the work is driven by student choice, passion, interest, and talent. With everything I do, I am first and foremost a play enabler, who knows to establish a deep and loving community connection and a child-first atmosphere that is abuzz with a love of learning, a focus on fair being everybody gets what they need, and a sense of self and community advocacy. I am an emotional intelligence based classroom manager and take a wholehearted approach to community building and discipline alike. In every classroom I have ever taught, the most important thing to me has been to empower each student to see their own worth, understand the truth of our world and gain the skills, knowledge and tools to DO something about it - in short, to be two feet in as CHANGEMAKERS.

The only honor I need is to have the opportunity to connect with and touch, learn with and from, the beautiful children, parents, caregivers, community and families I have come to know along the way!

I have a B.A. in Integrative Arts from Pennsylvania State University and an M.S. in Elementary Education from Pace University through Teach For America. I constantly participate in ongoing learning, and have taken part in many social justice learning, with a focus on equity and inclusion initiatives including S.E.E.D., REI, The Race Relations Station, Solidarity Circles, the work of the Racial Justice Coalition and Carolina Jews for Justice, and founded and lead the Raising Antiracist Children Forum. I have helped to found three different schools, have launched a nationwide socio-emotional art curriculum abroad, and also have a podcast on parenting called the Wholehearted and Joyous Parent. I am the developer of the Four Phase Methodology to Joyous Parenting and am currently working on my Parent Coaching Certification. And I am certainly on a joyous journey through the ever changing school of this beautiful transformational life we all are blessed to lead!

I am a mama of the sweetest little girl who is currently obsessed with singing her baby doll to sleep. I am the partner of a beautiful human who spreads his light into the world in so many ways. I am a community member and hopeful activist, devoted to doing the work of antiracist healing and seeking equity and healing for our country, for Gaia Mama Earth and all who live on her. I love to write and sing music, I am a painter, a yogi and one who walks through life mindfully and joyfully (as much as I can!). The mountains and forests surrounding my home are my solace and friends and the Intentional CoHousing we live in, my rock. I believe in learning the story of the other and bridging the stranger into my friend. My spiritual home is in the earth grounded melodies of the Jewish people and the wisdom of my ancestors. I am a dreamer, an artist, a music maker, a storyteller, and lead my life by following my own Knowing and inner truth, allowing the shared and collective wisdom and light guide me on my journey. I am so very happy to meet, learn from, and grow with you!