Tinamarie McDermott

K-2nd Grade Teaching Team

Education & Experience:

I come from a family of educators; it has been a highlight in my world since forever. I never really knew I would follow in those footsteps, until I did. I received my BA in Environmental Studies and Social Justice from Binghamton University in NY. In high school, I did my senior internship with an Elementary School art class, I did volunteer hours in Day Cares and babysat for most of my life.

I began working in Preschools about 8 years ago and went back to school to work towards my Early Childhood Education certification through AB Tech. I ran my own small-scale program for about 1.5-2 years for children 2-5 years old and then worked for a small preschool/ homeschool enrichment program.

I have had trainings in trauma and resiliency and am very inspired by learning how the brain work and how children can be helped through the processing of traumatic and dysregulating events.

I am very interested in learning about herbal medicine and look forward to bringing some of those elements into the classroom. Additionally, I am certified in functional nutrition counseling through The Functional Nutrition Alliance.

I am excited to work with older kids and continue my learning experiences through teaching and taking supplementary classes.

Teaching Philosophy:

Being a part of raising children is the most radical thing you can do. We get to foster future minds and give space for children to learn to connect to themselves and the world around them. Teaching wears many hats. I believe the child's social and emotional learning is just as important as their academic learning. We are helping to build the world a better foundation of love and grace, and it starts here.

Favorite thing about kids:

I love so many things about children. They are such magical light beams that we get to inspire and be inspired by. I love the raw authenticity (even when it hurts) of children. I love that their minds are still shaping and learning and they are curious in ways that we forget to be as adults. Children are the greatest teachers if we allow ourselves to listen and hear with our hearts. I think the circle of learning and becoming as teacher and student is a beautiful cycle when the balance is appreciated and respected.

Favorite thing about working at MCCLC / WBNS:

I am so excited to get to work with WBNS for the first time this year. Brining nature into the rhythm of the day in such a big way is so incredibly important and I am so excited to be a part of a program that understands the importance of nature and it's place in the education system. Connection to the world and deeper connection with ourselves.