Emily Ford
Early Preschool Teacher
I earned my Master’s in Teacher Leadership with a focus on Equitable Instruction from the University of Louisville in 2019. I also have a Bachelor’s in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia. I taught for six years as a middle and high school math teacher in both public and private settings before discovering my love of preschool. I am currently working on earning my CDA to deepen my education in the younger ages.
Becoming a parent broadened my perspective on education and helped me see how vital the early years and social-emotional learning are for lifelong success. I have experience with both Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies, and I’ve found that Chance seems to find all the best aspects of various philosophies and hold tight to what best serves the children in our care.
The Progressive Education approach shows a deep respect for children, when society so often belittles them. I adore how the tenets of progressive education deeply value the individual child and the health of the school community.
The additional focus on education in the natural world at Chance offers our students something I haven’t seen elsewhere. Having children experience and play in nature develops parts of their brain, body, and spirit that cannot be realized inside a physical classroom. Spending more time outdoors actually leads to stronger spatial awareness, both physically and visually, which impacts mathematical thinking. There are many benefits to nature-based learning, and our campus has an abundance of lessons to offer our preschoolers' growing minds as they explore the world surrounding our building through play.
Emergent Curriculum lets our students know that their thinking and wonder are valued. It instills within their spirit a hunger to continually learn and for learning to feel accessible and meaningful. They are capable of discovering and of building new thoughts and ideas with the teacher as a facilitator rather than an instructor. Outside the classroom, students know that they can answer their questions through exploration and research. They know that they don’t have to be told something in order to learn it.
When looking for the best setting for our own children, we fell in love with Chance School’s approach to nurturing the whole child. Once both of our children were enrolled full-time, I worked as a substitute for one year and was hired as a preschool teacher the following year. This school had been such a blessing to our family and I am thankful everyday to be a part of it as both a parent and a staff member. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about my own children and their growth from Chance teachers. Now I’m grateful for the opportunity to support our children and families as a teacher here myself.
I’m an avid reader, an eternal learner, cat lover, and the mom to two wonderful boys who attend Chance. Our family enjoys exploring the restaurants all around Louisville, learning about the world through travel and books, playing golf, and spending time with extended family and our cats, Chip and Tina Tuna.
Becoming a parent broadened my perspective on education and helped me see how vital the early years and social-emotional learning are for lifelong success. I have experience with both Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies, and I’ve found that Chance seems to find all the best aspects of various philosophies and hold tight to what best serves the children in our care.
The Progressive Education approach shows a deep respect for children, when society so often belittles them. I adore how the tenets of progressive education deeply value the individual child and the health of the school community.
The additional focus on education in the natural world at Chance offers our students something I haven’t seen elsewhere. Having children experience and play in nature develops parts of their brain, body, and spirit that cannot be realized inside a physical classroom. Spending more time outdoors actually leads to stronger spatial awareness, both physically and visually, which impacts mathematical thinking. There are many benefits to nature-based learning, and our campus has an abundance of lessons to offer our preschoolers' growing minds as they explore the world surrounding our building through play.
Emergent Curriculum lets our students know that their thinking and wonder are valued. It instills within their spirit a hunger to continually learn and for learning to feel accessible and meaningful. They are capable of discovering and of building new thoughts and ideas with the teacher as a facilitator rather than an instructor. Outside the classroom, students know that they can answer their questions through exploration and research. They know that they don’t have to be told something in order to learn it.
When looking for the best setting for our own children, we fell in love with Chance School’s approach to nurturing the whole child. Once both of our children were enrolled full-time, I worked as a substitute for one year and was hired as a preschool teacher the following year. This school had been such a blessing to our family and I am thankful everyday to be a part of it as both a parent and a staff member. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about my own children and their growth from Chance teachers. Now I’m grateful for the opportunity to support our children and families as a teacher here myself.
I’m an avid reader, an eternal learner, cat lover, and the mom to two wonderful boys who attend Chance. Our family enjoys exploring the restaurants all around Louisville, learning about the world through travel and books, playing golf, and spending time with extended family and our cats, Chip and Tina Tuna.
