Hello! My name is Dani and I'm very excited to join the UMD Children's Place team as the new toddler teacher.
I started my career in Early Childhood 18 years ago when I made the decision to pursue the field at WITC in an accelerated program to get my associates degree. I then worked at a daycare on the UWS campus as their lead toddler teacher. After a few years the opportunity arose to come back over the bridge when I took a job as the infant teacher at the YWCA early childhood center. It was in that time I decided to further my education and pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University. I spent many years with the Y working in all age groups pausing only for the chance to work for the school district in both Head Start and ECSE classrooms. While in the district I decided to pursue my teaching license and earned a second bachelor's degree in Unified Early Childhood. After receiving my degree I took a position as lead preschool teacher at Hartley Nature Preschool where I have been for the past 5 years.
As a teacher I value the power of play. Toddlers are always curious and wonderful at exploring the environment around them. I aim to create a space that allows for sensory experiences and lots of play and exploration. Children are a constant reminder to slow down and take a look around. I look forward to exploring the world near us together and know they will teach me as much as I can teach them!
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and our 2 daughters. We love to geocache and hike the many trails this area has to offer. I also love to take photos in nature and collect agates and beach glass whenever I come upon it.