General Info:
Agassiz Preschool has an extraordinary staff of highly experienced teachers and caregivers. Our staff includes teachers with over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, professionals with international experience, and specialists in the arts and athletics. They are dedicated educators with a deep understanding of how children play and learn at different stages of development. The result is an environment filled with play and friendship, with children gaining competence, confidence, and a growing sense of self. The staff participates in all aspects of school. They keep up-to-date on developmental and educational issues through on-going workshops and seminars, and are experts that parents can turn to when they have questions about their children. Our teachers are strong believers in helping children form positive social connections, and spend a great deal of time supporting kids in their attempts at making friend and learning how to interact with confidence. Children are taught how to resolve differences, to turn disagreements into opportunities for cooperative play, and to assert themselves successfully while being kind and careful with others. About once a month, parents and teachers meet in small groups to talk about development issues, early education goals, and various parenting and school topics. In addition to teacher conferences that can be scheduled at anytime, these meetings are a great way to get to know your child's teacher and share stories with other parents. Agassiz also benefits from its proximity to several highly regarded early education programs Harvard University School of Education, Lesley College, Tufts University, and Wheelock College. From time to time, young teachers from these programs are assigned to Agassiz Preschool for field work, internships, and mentoring. Ann Holloway, Youngest Group Lead Teacher, loves to recap heartwarming, often hilarious, tales about each Agassiz child. Her stories are highlighted by her boisterous laugh, as well as by stacks of photos she shows that bring the stories to life. She clearly loves her job, and her students. Ann came to Boston at age sixteen from Scotland ( her father later became Bishop of Edinburgh, ) and has always had a creative spark. As a jewelry designer, photographer, and storyteller, she enjoys weaving creative expression into her teaching. With over a dozen years experience, Ann came to Agassiz four years ago because Agassiz is a great place to teach. Tracey believes in her teachers. She makes it exciting As Ann speaks, her bright blue eyes light up. Did you see these?she beams. Hanging behind us, glued carefully to the wall are several art and painting projects. Aren't they precious?!?she croons. Jackie Smith, Asst Youngest Group Teacher, has been an Agassiz parent, grandparent, and teacher during her twenty-plus years at Agassiz. It's a fun place to work, she laughs. We play all day. What could be better?As a person who enjoys nature, Jackie appreciates Agassiz's outdoor emphasis. It's great that we take the kids outside every day. The fresh air is good for them and keeps us all sane.She also enjoys meeting so many interesting peoplesharing that she's made many close friends at Agassiz. But her very favorite part? The children, and the hugs. Yeah, I definitely love the hugs the most.Richard Barton, Middle Group Lead Teacher, came to Agassiz over thirty years ago as a founding teacher. In addition to his extraordinary experience, his uncommonly gifted way of relating to the children makes him a deeply treasured teacher at Agassiz. I like to be straightforward, not act differently with the children, Richard explains. I want them to develop social competence. I also coach high school students, Richard continues, and they deal with the same issues as my three and four-year olds. They need to learn to deal with their feelings, stand up for themselves,