Meredith Gary

Experience

• 

  Pace University

  Sept 1995 - Jun 1999

  Supervised and advised student teachers from Pace University's Education Department during their fieldwork placement. Worked as head teacher of 3 and 4 year olds in Pace University Education Department's lab preschool.

  • Student Teacher Fieldwork Supervisor

    Sept 1995 - Jun 1999

  • Teacher

    Sept 1995 - Jun 1999
• 

  WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD NURSERY SCHOOL

  Jul 1999 - Jun 2004

  Founding Teacher-Director

  Responded to need for high-quality progressive preschool by establishing a new nonprofit school from the ground up. Conceptualized the school mission, planned curriculum and classroom design, purchased equipment and materials, hired staff, oversaw enrollment, and performed all tasks related to NYC DOHMH and NYSED incorporation processes. As Teacher-Director worked as a both classroom teacher for children ages 2-4 and an Education Director.

• 

  Low Income Investment Fund

  Jul 2004 - Aug 2005

  Grants Officer

  Participated in policy implementation and provided individualized support and advisement to Family Child Care Providers as part of the San Francisco’s Gateway to Quality child care improvement initiative.

• 

  Downtown Little School

  Sept 2006 - now

  Director

  • Perform executive roles, including: managing nonprofit school’s $1.2 million operating budget, setting admissions and enrollment policies and practices, overseeing compliance with NYC DOHMH and NYS Education Dept., fostering alumni and community engagement• Articulate, promote and actualize the school’s progressive, play-based, inclusive philosophy • Ensure high quality teaching and staff retention by providing individualized supervision and advisement on best practices, curriculum, goals for individual children, classroom management, and parent communication• Collaborate with special education and related service providers to create truly inclusive, integrated classrooms • Establish warm, collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers through an individualized separation process, ongoing communication, opportunities for parent involvement and a parent/caregiver workshop series• Develop and lead staff professional development workshops on topics including social and emotional development, children’s literature, art, music and movement, and parent-teacher communication Show less

• 

  HRP Mamas | The Hudson River Park Mothers Group

  Mar 2016 - now

  Parent Educator

  Lead interactive online workshops and targeted support groups on topics including: Setting Limits, Toilet Training, and Eating & Sleeping. Currently lead a 6-session course on "Troubleshooting Toddlerhood" for parents of children 18-36 months.