Our Teachers
Our Teaching Team
Each classroom at the Renaissance School is staffed by two experienced, certified preschool educators and two to four student interns. Student interns are often University of Massachusetts undergraduate students who are aspiring to become certified public school teachers or hope to work with children in a related profession.
We believe that by placing children in small groups and providing a high teacher to child ratio, we are providing the best possible learning environment for young children. Educators meet daily to discuss children's progress and debrief the day. Our daily meetings provide time to plan and evaluate the curriculum. Our staff also work closely with parents to help each child reach his/her fullest potential.
Staff members are CORI background checked and many have First Aid & CPR training.
About the Director
Dorothy A. Meyer, C.A.G.S., M. Ed., has been working with young children and their families for more than thirty years. Dotty is Director I and II certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education and Care (DEEC), and is deeply committed to improving the quality of care and education for all young children.
Dotty became a UMASS faculty member in 1989 and taught several courses including Curriculum Methods for Early Child -hood Education and Introduction to Early Childhood Education. She was also the master teacher/director of the UMASS Early Childhood Laboratory School for sixteen years prior to opening the Renaissance School.
While teaching at the University, Dotty learned about the internationally acclaimed schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education inspires teachers to partner with children to discover, create, solve problems, and learn together. Dotty's study of this approach includes attending numerous professional conferences, working with Amelia Gambetti, master teacher from Reggio Emilia, and visiting the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn more firsthand.
Dotty has presented at many national early education conferences and was invited to become a faculty member at the teachers college of Christchurch, New Zealand, while on sabbatical from UMASS. She also provides workshops and professional development trainings on topics such designing engaging learning environments, developing meaningful co-constructivist curriculum, helping children learn through art, and using assessment and documentation to support learning. She taught a graduate class on Science Methods in Elementary Education, to masters degree students in the Pre-K through 2nd Grade public school certification program. She most recently started writing a Blog for parents entitled Preschool4Parents, which you can find under the "More" link on this website.