ChildRoots
Teacher Feature BIO:
Name: Briney Asbury
Position: Rm2 Primary Care Teacher (starting August 1st) Subbing in all rooms through June.
Schedule: M-F 8:30 to 5:30
Date started at CR: May 24th
Tell us about your background in early childhood education:
Currently attending PCC working towards an ECE degree, as well as previous experience in centers and as a nanny.
What attracted you to ChildRoots?
The community feel! And all the windows! At my previous center I was stuck in a basement.
Favorite thing about the job, currently?
My brand spanking new apron! 
And how curious everyone is about me.
Hobbies you bring to work/hope to share with kids:
I was in choir from elementary school on and I LOVE TO SING! My musical taste is eclectic and I enjoy sharing new music with new friends.
Current personal goal (work or otherwise):
Make it through my wedding, a month with my parents and my future in-laws without being committed [to an institution]. I’m headed back to my home town in Alaska for all of July, for the wedding, which is why I won’t be able to officially join room 2 until August.
What do you do on the weekends?
In the summer I love to swim, in the winter and on rainy days I’m a baker. My favorite thing to make is cupcakes.
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Name: Diana Holland
Position: Rm7 Primary Care Teacher
Schedule: M-F 8:30 to 5:30
Date started at CR: May 10th
Tell us about your background in early childhood education:
CA MUH. Subject credential/Masters in Education.
What attracted you to ChildRoots?
The school has a wonderful, warm feeling and fantastic core philosophy.
Favorite thing about the job, currently?
I look forward to staying with my cohort and watching them grow!
Hobbies you bring to work/hope to share with kids:
I love art making, creative play and being outside.
Current personal goal (work or otherwise):
I am always trying to develop my curiosity and knowledge of self and the world.
What do you do on the weekends?
Given the opportunity, I always prefer to be outside. I spend a lot of time hiking or reading at the park. i also love watching plays and performances.
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Name: Kimberly Smith (Kim)
Position: East and Movement Atelier Teacher
Current schedule: M-F 8:30 to 5:30
Date started at CR: February 15th 2010
Tell us about your background in early childhood education:
It all started with babysitting from the age of about 13. I Babysat all through high school and a little in college. I went to the University of Maine and majored in Child Development. I have always just been fascinated with watching young children grow and develop. I have learned that the most interesting way of teaching is to see the world through their eyes. While in college I had the chance to work with children ages 2 to 8. Through classes I have spent time in daycares, preschool, and a few public school classrooms. My sophomore year I taught at a preschool (internship) that was located right on my college campus. My senior year I worked at a Children’s Fitness Center where I gained lots of experience in movement for children ages 1 to 6. The best way to learn more about children is to just surround myself with them and I look forward to continuing my education!
What attracted you to ChildRoots?:
The first part of Childroots that attracted me was the environment. I felt that it was just a place I felt comfortable. It’s a space that I enjoy being in and realized that it must be so for the children who go there as well. I could tell just by walking through the halls that the center really cares about the children feeling at home and being happy.
The second part that impressed me was how all types of theories and beliefs are applied in each teacher’s style of teaching. While in school I found parts of Montessori, Waldorf, Regio Amelia, and Vygotsky that made sense but was never quite sure if I would find a center that used bits of every pedagogy. I feel that I am challenged every day to come up with new ideas that include the many theories that interest me.
Favorite thing about the job, currently?:
I have really enjoyed connecting with each kid as well as my co-teacher Susan. I have felt so welcome since I started in East and look forward to forming an even better bond with the families and other teachers.
I really love having a specialist around as well as the other teachers. It is so nice to be able to collaborate with and bounce ideas off of someone who knows all of the difference rooms and the children in them. Beverly has great ideas and is always willing to listen to mine!
Hobbies you bring to work/share with kids:
I love to move, read, sing, and dance. I am flexible (schedule wise) but also see the importance of routine. I also love to garden. I spent the past four summers gardening with a small crew in Maine so I look forward to planting and tending to our classroom garden.
Current personal goal (work or otherwise):
My goal is to help teach my group tasks and skills that they use day-to-day. Some of these include dressing (zippers, buttons, and ties—oh my!), safe and clean toileting, hand washing, learning to write their names, and getting a better idea of time (days of the week, months, and year). Along with this, I find that when a friend is starting to get frustrated with a task that is hard for them, it is a good time to take a break. Frustration leads to discouragement and that is no good for anyone.
What do you do on the weekends?: I spend much of my weekends just relaxing and exploring Portland. Because I have just moved here I really enjoy hopping on my bike and just seeing where I end up. If I need a low-key day usually I go to a yoga class, read, nap, sew, crochet, watch a movie or just spend time with friends and family.
Anything you’d like to add?
A little more of my background…
I grew up on a small island off the coast of Maine called “Vinalhaven.” It’s a beautiful place but also very small. I graduated from college in December 2009 and felt that I needed an adventure. My sister moved to Portland, OR about three years ago so I thought I would come visit and see what happened for me. I showed up on February first and had an interview at Childroots on the fifth. Something in me just said “Well, here ya go! Enjoy!” Although I miss my Maine island home, I really love it here and look forward to finding home here as well!