My Teaching Philosophy

"Playing IS learning. They are one of the same. Children's play is always purposeful even if we can't tell what that purpose is and it's always educational even if we don't know what they are learning. The idea that play is the opposite of learning is just too well embedded in our collective psyche. " - Teacher Tom

As a teacher, I’ve learned from many educators and philosophies including Magda Gerber, Janet Lansbury, Maria Montessori, Teacher Tom, Forest School philosophy, process drama/interactive storytelling, and my background in theatre making. Everything I’ve learned can be boiled down to one thing and Albert Einstein says it best- “Play is the highest form of research”.

Childhood is a time of trial and error, testing things out in order to understand the world better and my purpose is to provide a safe space for discovery. As a play-based educator, I am either shoulder-to-shoulder playing with children or observing play from the outside ready to follow the fun wherever it goes. 

I always want to stay in the questions rather than the answers and, let me tell you, after all these years I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have all the answers. Embracing imperfection is part of my practice and an example I strive to set for the kids.

I believe children are whole, capable human beings. By allowing them to be the creators of their own experiences through play-based, child-led learning they are following their own personal joy and therefore becoming intuitive, self-expressed, confident people who are in touch with their own guidance system and can therefore flourish into generous, collaborative, members of society who are able to ask questions.

Interested in our program?

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