Greetings!

My name is Ciara and I am very excited to start my work with Cornel School. I am from the United States, and more specifically, from a small farming town in Minnesota. I myself grew up on a farm and enjoy being outside whenever possible! I have my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Since graduation, I’ve spent my time teaching in a few different places. I’ve taught kindergarten in Honduras for two years, one year developing and implementing summer programming for middle and high school students in Colorado, and one year at a Montessori school in Colorado teaching toddlers. I’m a bit of a curious person, which is why I find so much joy in learning and growing with young children.

I’ve been appreciative  to have many wonderful mentors to guide my teaching process over the years. I teach with curiosity and care for the whole child at the center of my work. Young children learn from experience and work through their hands and I strive to provide an environment where students learn by doing, for example, practicing counting by using common items like pencils, crayons, friends in the classroom etc. and taking the opportunity to teach about counting whenever we encounter groups of items, like on a walk, or while we eat. Children are quite observant and social, which is why I allow children the space to observe and absorb information, as well as provide time for students to play and interact with eachother through games and free play. Much of my inspiration and guidance to teach comes from the Montessori philosophy, and if you are curious about it I’d be happy to give you more specific information on this philosophy of learning.

I am looking forward to many things upon my move to Taiwan! One of my favorite things to do is to simply be outside, so hiking and biking are definitely on my list of things to do. I’ve also become interested in meditation over the past year and a half, and am curious about eastern religion— it’s something I hope to explore a little more throughout my time here. I also really enjoy a good cup of coffee or herbal tea, so if you have any cafe recommendations I’d love to hear them.

I appreciate you taking the time to get to know me a little better through this letter, and I am feeling grateful to become a part of the Cornel School community!

Be well,

Ciara