Welcome to the Kindergarten Water class blog! This blog will keep you informed about happenings in the classroom, studio and other curricular areas in Kindergarten. A variety of teachers will be collaborating on the Kindergarten teaching team, and the following will introduce all of them.
Jenny Vaughan
Lead Teacher, Water class
I am so excited to begin my second year teaching at Mustard Seed. I am originally from Baltimore, Maryland and received my undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College. I continued my education and received my Masters' degree at the College of Notre Dame where I became certified in both Elementary and Special Education. I hope to continue to facilitate interactive learning opportunities that enable my students to grow across developmental domains, and share in my passion for exploration-based learning with my students.
Gabe Cuervo
Assistant Teacher, Water class
Mr. Cuervo brings 13 years of experience to the Kindergarten team. An alum of the school as well (class of 1991), Mr. Cuervo counts it as a blessing to teach your children, and he greatly looks forward to getting to know each parent and child. He is excited to engage in collaborative learning with the students, particularly the Studio, and he eagerly looks forward to what the year holds.
Dana Baker
Lead Teacher, Earth Class
Early Learning Specialist
It is Ms. Bakers joy to begin her sixth year teaching Kindergarten at Mustard Seed School, and she eagerly looks forward to getting to know your children. She hopes to see each child grow as a powerful writer, particularly in the area of writing. She recently finished her graduate degree from Bank Street College of Education in Early Childhood Special Education. Ms. Baker will be collaborating with teachers across the early childhood division to support students with diverse learning needs.
Leonor Silva
Associate Teacher, Earth Class
Ms. Silva returns to Mustard Seed this year, having previously taught in The Nest in addition to being a faithful Shared Space volunteer. A native of Portugal, she did her graduate work at Northwestern, IL and has three children at Mustard Seed, with one recently graduated. Ms. Silva will serve as the lead teacher in the Earth classroom on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. She brings with her a passion for music, in-depth projects and inquiry study, and problem solving in mathematics.
Zulayca Conklin
Assistant Teacher, Earth Class
Ms. Conklin begins her first year teaching at Mustard Seed, though as a native to the area she is certainly familiar with neighborhood and community. She studied English Literature at New Jersey City University, and we look forward to seeing her love of the written word transfer to the students. Ms. Conklin and her husband have a two-year old daughter, Lily, who proves a delight. She is looking forward to getting to know the students of the Earth class as she helps them develop strong relationships as a community.
Nathan Johnson
Volunteer, Earth Class
Mr. Johnson grew up in Jersey City and graduated from Mustard Seed School in 1995. After earning his Bachelors in Fine Art and Elementary Education, Nathan lived for eight years in Nova Scotia as part of L'Arche community, an international organization made up of homes where adults with and without developmental differences share life together in an intentional, joyful, and worshipful way. He has maintained a strong relationship with Mustard Seed over the years and is delighted to return and be a part of the MSS Community again, especially as a part of the Kindergarten, as he started his time at MSS in first grade.
As we focus on and make us of the prayers in from the Psalms this year, our prayer for the beginning of the year is as such:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us-
so that our ways may be known on the Earth....Psalm 67: 1-2
Peace,
Jenny Vaughan
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