All of our preschool teachers are dedicated to our vision, mission, and values and play an integral part in building the community, curriculum, and future of our school. We train our teachers to bring yoga and contemplative and mindfulness practices into the preschool classroom.
Jessica Radovich, Head Teacher
“I love my work because I believe it is important. I love it because it engages all of me. I love coming to work and using all of my self. I love the experience of knowing children, of building community with them, and learning who they are in the world. I love being tired at the end of the day because I was running, jumping, singing, soothing, listening and creating…and not because I was sitting all day waiting to punch out and cruising the internet. I love my work because it affirms my sense of belonging in the world.” – Jessica Radovich
Jessica grew up in New Jersey, with Philly as the first city she knew and loved. West Philly was one of the first places she uncovered art, music and culture. As a certified elementary teacher, she has spent most of her life working with young children. An artist, after school, she moved to Brooklyn, NY, and worked under a jewelery designer.She quickly realized the depth of her love for children and decided to pursue teaching fulltime.
She started teaching at Williamsburg Northside Preschool, a Reggio Emilia-inspired school, teaching primarily science and discovery to children ages 1.5-5 yrs. (She also taught library, art, gardening and was behavioral support). For Jessica, science with children is about uncovering and loving the natural world. For example, a study on animal habitats was a chance to explore a child’s concept of empathy and understanding of his/her basic needs. Reggio Emilia encourages the idea that children have “100 languages” . As a teacher, Jessica gives space to each and every language possible. “It is an exciting process, and very inspiring for me as an artist.”
In parellel to teaching, she has worked on an organic farm farming in the Hudson Valley, NY. With a deep love for the natural world, she requires a lot of time with her hands in dirt, sleeping outside, listening to birds. Spiritual practices have been present her entire life; prayer and meditation and community are critical to her connection with the ineffable.
Since returning to Philly, she has taught at the West Philadelphia Coop School (WPCS), an opportunity that enabled her to see learning as a cooperative endeavor and to exist as an integral part of a community working towards common goals. She left the co-op to pursuework in mental health with children, and to start graduate school. She has worked in a crisis treatment agency, including in a therapeutic preschool setting, pursued work in family advocacy with families with children living in poverty. She will be attending Eastern University in the fall, pursuing a MA in Clinical Counseling.
