Category: Teaching Teams

Originally from Montana, Emma received her B.A in Environmental Studies in 2017 from Bates College in Maine where she researched the importance of inspiring and educating children about our natural world. In 2018, she moved to DC to pursue her passion for education. Since then, she has taught in DC Public Schools as an after school enrichment teacher with Kid Power, a Kindergarten student-teacher at John Lewis Elementary School (formerly West Education Campus), and most recently as a Pre-K 3 and 4 teacher at Truesdell Elementary School. She received her M.S. in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Education through the Urban Teachers Preparation Program. She holds a Standard Teaching License in Early Childhood Education as well as a Special Education Teaching License from OSSE District of Columbia. Emma is drawn to  the creativity and mutual respect of the Reggio Emilia approach and has been learning about the philosophy on her own time for the past couple of years. This will be Emma’s third year with St. John’s.

Karen has over 20 years of experience as an educator. Over the years, she has worked with students from preschool through high school as an environmental educator, high ropes confidence course instructor, classroom teacher and as an Early Childhood STEAM Integration Specialist. She first discovered the “Reggio Way” at a Reggio-inspired nature-based preschool in Connecticut, where she followed the children’s lead in exploring their natural environment. In this setting, she learned to develop provocations inspired by the children’s explorations, often including natural materials the children had collected themselves. She holds a B.S. in Life Sciences: Marine Biology and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on Science Education, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. This is her fourth year at St. John’s.

Sam has been working as an educator for over ten years. She began her teaching career in Michigan where she was first introduced to the Reggio Emilia philosophy and approach to early childhood education. Moving to Virginia in 2014, she taught in a preschool program in Arlington before joining the St. John’s community. She holds a B.S. in Family and Community Services with a concentration in child development from Michigan State University. This is her fifth year at St. John’s. 

Tate has been teaching in the early childhood setting for the past eight years. A DC native, she holds an M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in Elementary Education from American University. Tate joined the St. John’s faculty from a Reggio-inspired school where she gained a deep appreciation for the approach. This is Tate’s second year at St. John’s, and she is thrilled to be a part of such a warm, child-centered community.

For the past nine years, Elyse has taught in Reggio inspired schools in: Richmond, VA; New Haven, CT; Fairfax, VA; New Orleans, LA; Seattle, WA; and Washington, D.C.. In addition to her work with children, she has served as a Pedagogical Specialist conducting presentations and trainings about the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Elyse holds an M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Early Childhood Development and Dance from the University of Alabama. After receiving her degrees, she served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Cosenza, Italy. This year, she will be serving as co-chair of the DC Reggio Emilia Alliance. This is Elyse’s sixth year at St. John’s.

Brigitte has a Baccalaureate and a college business degree from her native country of France. After earning her degree in France, she moved to Washington, DC in 1998 and started her Reggio Emilia education under the guidance and mentoring of Kathy Price, the founding Head of St. John’s. She worked as a Brown Room Teacher, then various roles as substitute and Children’s Workshop teacher and after teaching for several years at St. John’s, Brigitte took time away to raise her family. Upon returning to Early Childhood Education, Brigitte earned her Child Development Associate Credential and taught French as a lead teacher for six years at the French Maternal School. Brigitte earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Phoenix. She is excited to be the Early Birds and Children’s Workshop teacher!

Melanie moved to the Washington, DC area in 2014 to begin a career in early childhood education and has been teaching in DC ever since. Preceding this, she earned a dual baccalaureate degree (Environmental Studies and Comparative Humanities) from Bucknell University. Her teaching experience began at a DC public charter school, teaching by day and studying by night to earn her Master’s of Arts in Teaching (with an emphasis in early childhood) from Trinity Washington University. Melanie’s personal pedagogical philosophy and the appeal of the Reggio Emilia approach were satisfied, in 2015, when she excitedly accepted a teaching position at St. John’s. Now a veteran, she continues to co-construct knowledge and engage in joyful and curious learning with the children and families of the St. John’s community.