Samara Eltahir - Toddler 2 Late Day Lead Teacher
Background information:
Samara Eltahir is entering her final year as a student at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities where she is working towards a degree in Youth Studies. Having discovered a passion for working with young people who hold diverse backgrounds and within a variety of contexts, Samara’s previous experience with children ranges from leading lessons in log rolling lessons to teaching English during her time in Ecuador. She has had the opportunity to take on various roles at Woodland over the years, and is looking forward to another wonderful and fulfilling summer in the Toddler 2 classroom.
What motivates you everyday?
The amazing people in my life that are my family, friends, and coworkers. I am so grateful to be surrounded by those who inspire me to become a more aware, compassionate, and well-rounded version of myself.
What makes you laugh?
Creating new words, animated facial expressions, and the honesty of toddlers!
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Conscious, optimistic, and committed.
Hannah Kate Stetz - Classroom 1 Inclusion Aid and Late Day Lead Teacher
Hannah Stetz is an incoming fourth year undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hannah is pursuing dual certification in elementary education and special education. Throughout her time in Madison, she has been very active within the Madison Metropolitan School District, volunteering, working, or doing practicum at several elementary and middle schools in the area.
What motivates you every day? Community! Interpersonal relationships are so important to me and I look forward to each day because there are so many opportunities to learn from and about others. The world can seem really big and complicated but remembering where I am and who I'm with, helps remind me that each person I meet will impact my experience of life. In return, I feel motivated to always try to be the best version of myself so I can have a positive impact in my community.
What makes you laugh? Making funny faces at babies, the way my mom pretends she doesn't have caller ID on her iPhone and acts surprised when I call her, dogs in coats
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Empathetic, loving, adventurous
Meredith Whye - Classroom 2 Assistant Teacher
Background in Education:
Meredith Whye is a first-year doctoral student at UW-Madison in the Curriculum and Instruction department. She has worked in education in Kenya, Australia, and America. As a Teach for America corps member, she obtained her Masters in Early Childhood Education and taught pre-k. Meredith has also been a lifeguard, daycare associate, camp counselor, arts and crafts coordinator, and art teacher.
What motivates you everyday?
The knowledge there is always more I can do, more I can learn, and more communities I can understand.
What makes you laugh?
Vine compilations
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Focused, observant, creative
Autumn Hall - Classroom 1 Assistant Teacher
Background in Education: Autumn Hall is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Madison and is pursuing an education in Social Work. Next year she will graduate with her Bachelor’s degree and the year after with her Master’s degree. Throughout her education, Autumn has taken early childhood educational and development classes which have helped her decide that as a Social Worker she wants to work with the younger population. She is passionate about working with young children and watching them develop their educational skills.
What motivates you everyday? The development of skills motivates me every day. I enjoy being able to conquer new things, and understand something new each day. I love to learn anything new whether it be a yoga pose or a calculus equation. I feel like each new thing I learn is added to my tool belt, and I will be able to use it later in life when the time comes.
What makes you laugh?
Cats doing anything, puns, and kids guessing an adult’s age
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, compassionate, amiable
Andrea Seiler - Elder Camp Late Day Assistant
Background in Education: Andrea Seiler in an undergraduate student at UW Madison studying elementary education and special education. They have spent several summers working at various Jewish Summer camps in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and worked for four years as both a Hebrew teacher and a ski instructor in Minneapolis. Andrea is passionate about the intersections between child-centered pedagogy, equity, and community in education and is so excited to learn from the students and families at Woodland!
What motivates you everyday?
Learning in community! There is nothing more exciting or motivating than the opportunity to work through a challenge or idea with other people, be they children or adults, through collaboration and communication! I especially love learning from children- being a part of their problem-solving processes and getting to learn from them new, innovative and effective ways of change-making.
What makes you laugh?
Practically everything! A silly smile, bad jokes, the way that birds hop when they don’t use their wings, and silly sounds!
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
Curious, openminded, enthusiastic