Micaela (aka Mickey) has been a beloved member of our Educational Alliance Preschool Staff for two years, and we are so excited to have her step into our 2016 Summer Session Director position. Tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don’t know you.
Well, I’m a nearly native New Yorker…I spent the first few years of my life living in Santiago, Chile, before I moved to New York. Growing up with Argentinean parents, I was always exposed to a different language and culture, and after I received a bachelor’s in International Relations, I spent three years overseas teaching English in South Korea, and volunteering and traveling in Southeast Asia. It was my experience of cultural diversity and passion for education that drew me to the incredibly vibrant environment of EA Preschool at Manny Cantor Center.
Tell us about the EA Preschool vision for the summer program this year.
Our vision for camp is to create a fun and safe environment that encourages curiosity. In the spirit of our school values inspired by Reggio Emilia, we really use the children’s interests to frame our summer explorations. Each day includes open explorations, time outdoors, water play, specialty and shared activities in the neighborhood. We believe in a partnership of collaboration and respect between teachers and children to guide the campers as they navigate their passions. We also want to deepen our sense of community within the larger Manny Cantor Center, to create a network of connectivity as a way to strengthen our ties to the community, both inside and outside the building, and to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities MCC offers.
What do you think sets EA Preschool Summer Session apart from other summer programs?
We are a truly neighborhood camp. Our Summer Session families come from all the different backgrounds that make up the Lower East Side. Our camp is right inside the Manny Cantor Center close to home for many of our children, and our teachers are highly trained to create the environment that drives child-based learning. We are excited for another summer of new and old friends coming together to have fun and explore our wonderful community.
2016 Summer Session offers 3, 4 and 7- week sessions. Full Summer: June 27 – August 11; Session A: June 27 – July 22; Session B: July 25 – August 11. Ages 2-5.
Contact us via e-mail or by phone at 646.395.4250 with any questions.
