Jennifer Rudnicki,

Lead Teacher, Director

 

For the past 16 years I have had the honor to work with and alongside children. I have a Bachelor's degree in the Fine Arts (with a focus on painting and drawing), and a Master's in Teaching with a focus in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. I taught for four years in a Reggio-inspired Preschool in Portland, which inspired me to get my Master's in Education, and for the last seven years I have been teaching grades K-5th (taught all but 1st) in public school.

 

I decided to leave teaching Kindergarten in public school to follow my heart's work, and create Woodsong Preschool, my vision of what teaching and learning should be. I believe in my heart of hearts that children learn by doing, exploring, helping one another, collaborating, and playing.  I strive to foster a love of learning through creativity, magic and wonder. I have two little boys of my own who have served to be my most powerful teachers yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caitlin Mac Neill, 

Co-teacher

I have firmly rooted in Portland after moving here from Rhode Island in 1994 for what was meant to be a year. Since then, I built a career in public relations, got married, had 2 boys who I have spent the past 8 years raising, and redirected my passion to early childhood education and development. 

 

I was introduced to the Reggio Emilia style of education at my son’s preschool and fell in love with it. The freedom of expression, curiosity-driven learning, and focus on nature and community drew me in as much as it drew my son in. I am excited to deepen my understanding of these practices at Woodsong.

 

I live in SE Portland with my husband Keith, sons Sully and Beckett, dog Olive, cat Zapdos, and turtle September. My hope is to be able to light your child’s way and to be the teacher they remember. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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