Learn, play, grow! In this full-time pod, Heather will create a compelling, hands-on curriculum that meets and exceeds Department of Education standards. Material is individualized to each student in the pod while we work toward common academic, social, and emotional health goals.
The school takes places in a residence. Visits are available upon request.
Using an interactive guided-level-reading approach, I create a love of reading in children while bolstering decoding and comprehension skills through a series of book club projects. With a solid foundation in the Wilson FUNdations program, I focus on instilling strong encoding (phonics and spelling patterns) skills in young children, then progress through vocabulary building and dictionary work. I love the Teachers College Writers Workshop approach which allows children the freedom to find their own inspiration within topical areas of writing such as personal narratives, fiction, biography, poetry, and journalism. Through each project, children learn to brainstorm, plan, draft, edit and publish their work.
We will study U.S. History, World Cultures, and learn more about our state.
I like to combine a traditional math program such as Eureka math (used by most DOE lower schools) with hands-on mathematical games, activities, and applications such as logic problems, card and dice games, and building projects. This gives children a strong foundation in how they relate to and play with numbers while building confidence in concrete algorithms for problem solving
One of my favorite parts of the school day is afternoon Makers Lab where I can tailor hands-on experiences to children’s areas of interest through science, art, and engineering projects. I believe outdoor recess is as integral and important to the school day as classwork. A child’s work is play and when they play they learn how to co-exist. .
I love working with children and their families to individualize and maximize each child’s learning potential. In addition to earning a masters degree in Philosophy of Education from Indiana University, I have been a classroom teacher in Japanese public schools, a private school teacher in Brooklyn, a tutor, and the creative director of a public school K - 5th grade after school program for 400 children. In addition, I have successfully navigated my own children through the NYC public school system. This wealth of experiences enables me to bring a well-rounded, whole-child approach into a classroom of any size.
I believe children learn by doing. As a proponent of experiential education (envisioned by John Dewey and Maria Montessori), I begin teaching with a clear goal in mind, then work backward, creating a step-by-step plan to engage each child’s unique learning style while leaving room for children to discover and create along the way as they progress. I place great importance on the child’s social and emotional health to create a learning environment where students grow academically as they become more self-aware and compassionate human beings.
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I loved seeing the kids so happy and in school again - they came home with smiles on their faces and excited to talk about their day!
~ Suzie H.
SchoolHouse Parent
Just seeing our kids excited to go to school together, settle down to their new routines and work, be reenergized, stimulated and thereby more in tune/peace with themselves and the world around them.
~ Tina S.
SchoolHouse Parent
It was my son's first day of Kindergarten and it was great that he got to go into school, rather than sit in front of a computer for remote learning. It is a day I am sure we will all always remember.
~ Brian V.
SchoolHouse Parent
We have been thrilled to have Mr. Nick. The children are really embracing the opportunity to have this amazing one on one time and thriving in the new learning environment.
~ Colleen C.
SchoolHouse Parent
