Ms. Gina is a certified early childhood educator with a Master’s Degree from Goddard College in VT and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Simmons College in MA. She comes to us from many years in a preschool classroom and with experience as a center director and prior to that worked with young families as a birth doula, childbirth educator, and parent support professional. Gina is excited to have found the Falmouth Corner Preschool Community!
In addition to being in the classroom, Ms Gina is an early education consultant, a Maine Roads to Quality Trainer, and currently serves on the board of the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children (MaineAEYC) and on the Affiliate Advisory Council for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She also loves to weave, knit, cook, read, and be out in her garden.
A note from her: "I have always been passionate about supporting youth and families. I passionately believe in the power of working with children and families in the younger years when childrens brains are developing so rapidly. I hope to support and build our little learners' own curiosity and imagination and to lay a strong foundation of social-emotional learning, such as supporting self-awareness and building empathy. Creating spaces of belonging is very important to me and I believe in the power of play as an amazing vehicle for deep, authentic learning!"
Ms. Elizabeth has a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College. She has worked in both administrative and teaching roles in various settings for more than 25 years. She was the teacher/director at Portland Nursery School, a cooperative preschool in Portland, for seven years. When the school, sadly, was closed in 2019, Ms. Elizabeth took a job teaching preschool at Birchwood Day Nursery until the pandemic shut things down. Since then, she's been subbing in early childhood classrooms. She's very excited to get back to a classroom of her own!
In addition to teaching, Ms. Elizabeth owns an Early Childhood Consulting company, is an approved trainer for Maine Roads to Quality, and is a Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition, which awards the Child Development Associate Credential. She is also a literacy tutor, freelance writer, and ballroom dance instructor.
A note from her: "I believe that all children and families need to be supported in ways that work for them. I believe that children learn best through play, with plenty of hands-on opportunities for exploration and discovery. I believe that social-emotional learning is the foundation for all other learning. I am so excited to work with the families at Falmouth Corner Preschool!"