Hi!
I’m Cierra! I am a seasoned educator who thrives on teaching and learning “in the moment.” Play-Responsive Teaching is the backbone of how I engage children in learning while they enjoy the freedom of youthful play. I love creating, exploring, and all things outdoors. I have 2 young children of my own who also attend The Little Folk School.
Relevant Qualifications
-Certified Teacher with Pre-K through 6th-grade teaching licensure
-Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on inquiry-based learning
-10 years of public school teaching experience
-3 years operating The Little Folk School
-20+ years of experience with children in a variety of settings.
Additional Trainings & Experience
I am trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach from IMSE on teaching reading and spelling in line with the science of reading. I also have practical training and experience with Social-Emotional Learning, Project-Based Learning, Drama Based Pedagogy, Arts Integration, Positive Behavior Support Models, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-Informed Care.
Educational Philosophy
When developing The Little Folk School, I drew inspiration from the folk school educational philosophy originally from Denmark and combined it with my preferred early education teaching methodology, Play-Responsive Teaching.
Folk schools are based on the educational ideas of the philosopher, Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig. Whereas they are traditionally centered around adult education, I see a strong need for the same principles in the education of littles. Grundtvig said they were to be “schools for life”, a place for the community to come together and explore their love of learning new skills.
One of the key factors of the folk school philosophy is that each school is a product of its community. “Stick your finger down into the ground and smell where you are! This is where the needs of the people are found, which can be different in different times and places. Where this meets the abilities of the teacher, there lies the hojskole’s (folk school’s) calling.” -Ludwig Schroeder, 1872
Micro School
Our calling is to be a “school for life” for children. To provide a safe and intimate school community that facilitates experiential learning opportunities guided by each student’s interests. A place for children to be children and enjoy developing their love for learning as I incorporate play-responsive teaching into everyday moments and their autonomous play. I believe there is no single educational approach that fulfills all children need to grow and learn as an individual. For this reason, I incorporate elements from other pedagogies that fit our micro school community as they become relevant, including project- based learning, outdoor exploration, structured literacy/phonemic awareness activities, and process art.
The environment I provide is thoughtful and enticing. It empowers children to explore, investigate, think, question, and create- leading to meaningful learning.
We operate August-May, with additional schedule offerings added each summer. Due to our current space allowances and desire to offer an intimate setting, we have limited enrollment availability at The Little Folk School micro school. Please email thelittlefolkschool@gmail.com with your interest and questions.
The Little Folk School Community
Our needs are not the same as they were at the inception of The Little Folk School. They have evolved and that is where The Little Folk School Community was developed. As an educator (and parent), I enjoy having a team to bounce ideas off of, and to share stories, victories, and failures with. I enjoy having colleagues to help navigate trouble spots or to offer constructive criticism to help me grow. So, building a supportive community, off of social media, to meet those needs was important to me.
In 2023, I applied for a VELA Education Fund Microgrant for the purpose of growing The Little Folk School past the confines of our micro school and supporting more children and families in new ways. With the goal of creating an education focused online community where we can discuss educational topics, share ideas/resources, and support one another, I gained their confidence and was awarded their microgrant. More information about VELA’s mission and how they award their grants can be found at velaedfund.org.
If you are a parent, homeschool parent, caregiver, early childhood educator, or any combination of the four that is longing for an inclusive and positive community where you can discuss educational and development related topics with others in similar situations, please join us! While I have observed a need for such an online place within my local community, I welcome members from all over! Additionally, if you are interested in becoming an in-home caregiver or operating your own in-home micro school, I would be happy to consult with you to help you navigate if it’s the right choice for you to ensure it is a sustainable option before taking the leap. As time passes and our collective needs evolve, I am excited to see this community grow and change.
