Angie Florence

Preschool Teacher

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from University of Kentucky, I became a Certified Yoga Instructor specializing in Kids Yoga. This teaching experience goes back almost twenty years, where I helped run a yoga studio in the Chicagoland area. During this time as a full-time instructor, I taught a variety of children’s classes at the studio and around the community. 

I discovered Virginia Chance School nine years ago as a Yoga Specialist. The following year, I was privileged to teach preschool for the 2s and then the 3s while continuing the yoga enrichments. After giving birth to my son, I maintained teaching yoga here for the next two years until he started school at VCS. At the same time, I returned to this beloved school as a teacher assistant. Also, I have led other Chance activities, including hula hoop sessions and at summer camps. 

There is a concept in yoga to be balanced; one should be aware of what is going on outside the body, as well as inside it. The same is true in teaching. I believe it is one thing to teach a concept, but to be balanced, it is equally important to see how the idea applies to nature, friends, and community. I value teaching to the whole child and find progressive education to be an ideal style of a child’s learning. My views on education share Virginia Chance’s philosophy in which “play is the work” of early childhood, and that is why I would not send my child anywhere else. Allowing children the freedom to examine new ideas at their own pace, coupled with free-play, they will be prepared to think for themselves and solve problems more creatively. 

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my husband Mark, our son Will and our two dogs Teddy and Nester. We enjoy all kinds of activities: camping, hiking, music, gardening, and travel to see new things. I am inspired to be where I am today and am honored to continue to be a part of the Virginia Chance Family.