Ingrid Smith,
Toddler Program
Lead Teacher

“Little Earth School is unique. Children, families and staff come every day to a second home. I started working for Little Earth School in August 2013. I came to the United States from Guatemala in 2002. My journey as an educator started as a volunteer for a Head Start Program called La Comunidad de Los Niños. Because my three-year-old daughter had two Individualized Education Plans for speech and physical therapy, I decided to get involved one hundred percent in my daughter’s education and support her every single day with the minimum skills that I had at that time. After seven months of volunteering, the Director offered me a Teacher Assistant Position. There, I started working in a field different from what I had been doing for the last 15 years in finances. I worked for Head Start for six and a half years. I was promoted to the position of Teacher after 2 years, and I gained experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as the aftercare program. In May 2010, I won the “Outstanding Performance Award.”

Laura McCloskey,
Preschool/Kindergarten
Lead Teacher

“I’ve been a teacher at Little Earth School since ????. I love coming into the homey atmosphere of Little Earth School every morning and wondering what new thing I will learn that day. I love art, nature and guiding young children. At Little Earth I am surrounded by creativity. I am able to be outdoors and explore nature with the children for a significant portion of every school day. The children are motivated to learn, explore and experience the world in ways I have never imagined. These educational opportunities make me excited to teach and come to work with new ideas. I love that at Little Earth the staff is so dedicated to the spontaneity of learning, to guiding young children to be creative and to think outside the box, to be close to and respect nature, and to be respectful to themselves and others.”

Isidro Urtiaga,
Preschool/Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

“I have been working at Little Earth school since ????. The children at Little Earth are learning valuable skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Other schools often overlook these skills. Here, they are learning how to learn, not just memorizing and taking tests. I love teaching here because Little Earth is part of our community and has a history in Santa Fe. Little Earth provides learning experiences that parents and students will always remember, as will I!”

Need background

 

Andy has a degree in English, with a Minor in Spanish (ENMU 2004) and a New Mexico Teacher’s License with endorsements in Fine Arts, ESL and Performance Arts.

 

  • B.A., Psychology, Rutgers University, 1969; J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law, 1976; legal practice focusing on education, family and adoption law, 1976-1987. Co-edited with Michael Cole, Vera John-Steiner and Sylvia Scribner, Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes, by L.S. Vygotsky, Harvard University Press, 1978.

 

Ingrid Smith

  • BA, Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education

  • Associates Degree, Early Childhood Education, Pen Foster College, Arizona

  • Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA), the most widely recognized credential in Early Childhood Education

  • Over 800 hours of training in different, early childhood education and developmental areas.

 

Laura McCloskey

  • BA in Studio Arts and Elementary Education, College of Santa Fe, 2003
    State of New Mexico Elementary License K-8, 2004.

  • B.A., German, University of Chicago, 1980; M.S.T., University of Chicago, 1982; Illinois Teacher Certification, 1992; New Mexico Department of Education Elementary License, K-8, 1994

Isidro Urtiaga

She is studying towards an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at Santa Fe Community College.

Linda Brody, 1st-3rd Elementary Class Teacher

“I feel lucky to be at a school where I have the opportunity to continually create and refine a curriculum that is both exciting for me to teach and really addresses both the academic and developmental needs of each child in my class. When I come to school each day, I think not only about what I am going to teach, but what I am going to learn. At Little Earth, I am always learning along with my students and fellow teachers – we are a true community of learners and thinkers, and I feel this environment is so important to instilling a life-long love of learning in our students.”

Andy Mason,
Music Teacher

“Little Earth is musical, chocolaty, and bright.”

Andy has over 25 years of experience working with children in various settings. He has worked previously for Head Start, Portales Public Schools, Roswell Public Schools, Eastern New Mexico University and numerous other child-centered organizations like summer camps and day cares. Andy is now a self-employed musician, specializing in children’s and family-friendly music. He speaks and sings in Spanish and English. Outside of school he loves to spending time with his young children, hockey, bike riding, travel and visiting new restaurants.

Ellen Souberman, Director

“I have been the Director of Little Earth School for over 30 years. Little Earth School is every educator’s and every child’s dream come true. I feel honored to work with teachers who are so dedicated to their profession, who understand so well what the true education of young children requires, and are willing to work hard to achieve it for the benefit of every child in their classrooms. I know that children at Little Earth will acquire the academic skills they need to succeed. But equally important to their success as individuals, I know that each child at Little Earth, whatever their culture, ethnicity or economic status, is recognized and respected for who s/he is and encouraged to pursue his/her interests. I know that children at Little Earth are encouraged to question, to think, to feel, to be curious and creative. I know that children at Little Earth are taught to be comfortable with, and interested in, diversity; to listen attentively and respectfully to the opinions of others; to directly experience the natural world and be stewards of the earth; to problem-solve and resolve conflicts non-violently; and to stand up for what they believe in and for the rights of others. I know that children at Little Earth are encouraged to play, and to experience and celebrate life with all their five senses. I know that with this kind of education, a better world must be possible.”

Carolyn Brandi,
Assistant Administrator

“I’ve been working at Little Earth School since ???? and before that I was a Little Earth parent for 12 years. I love working at Little Earth because I believe in the quality of education that we are providing. I love being a part of the process that enables children to obtain the gift of a love for learning that they will carry with them on their journey through life.”