Meet The Teachers!
Dawn Irwin, Director/Licensed Teacher
Dawn is a licensed early childhood educator and has been working in the field since 2010. She has an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Studies, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She began her career as an infant teacher, but fell in love with the Reggio-Emilia approach to learning when she became a preschool teacher. She is passionate about play-based, child led learning and the incredible impact it has on a child’s growth and development. She believes in honoring each individual child and celebrating the uniqueness each person brings to the classroom. She is also a strong advocate of multi-age education and the benefits children of all ages receive when engaging in an environment that naturally provides a multitude of opportunities for students to be both teacher and pupil. Through observation, documentation, and reflection, Dawn uses children’s strengths as a springboard to encourage deep and meaningful learning. Because of the important role of social and emotional development in the early years, Dawn loves fostering opportunities for peer mentorship and building strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. When Dawn isn’t in the classroom or advocating at the State House for Vermont’s youngest citizens, she loves running, hiking, camping, reading, hanging out with friends, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, Dave, two children, Lincoln and Virginia, her dog, Toby, and her cat, Luna.
Dawn is a licensed early childhood educator and has been working in the field since 2010. She has an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Studies, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She began her career as an infant teacher, but fell in love with the Reggio-Emilia approach to learning when she became a preschool teacher. She is passionate about play-based, child led learning and the incredible impact it has on a child’s growth and development. She believes in honoring each individual child and celebrating the uniqueness each person brings to the classroom. She is also a strong advocate of multi-age education and the benefits children of all ages receive when engaging in an environment that naturally provides a multitude of opportunities for students to be both teacher and pupil. Through observation, documentation, and reflection, Dawn uses children’s strengths as a springboard to encourage deep and meaningful learning. Because of the important role of social and emotional development in the early years, Dawn loves fostering opportunities for peer mentorship and building strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. When Dawn isn’t in the classroom or advocating at the State House for Vermont’s youngest citizens, she loves running, hiking, camping, reading, hanging out with friends, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, Dave, two children, Lincoln and Virginia, her dog, Toby, and her cat, Luna.
Emily Holden, Teacher
Emily has been working with children since 2014. She began her training as an assistant teacher in infant and toddler classrooms in a therapeutic school for children 0-3. Her work with children completely changed the path of her life, as she was going to school in Miami and transferred to Goddard College in Vermont where she focused her studies in psychology on attachment and childhood development. She took a brief break from childcare for a year, becoming supervisor of a residential home for adults. She worked with children in Lund’s Early Childhood program, and later became the lead teacher of an infant classroom and was lucky enough to loop with her original group of infants to the toddler classroom, really seeing the impact that consistency has on a child’s development and security. She also was the Program Coordinator of an after school program for school age children. Emily has realized that her passion lives within the realm of intentional and quality care and enriching experiences for children, focusing on strong connections, secure relationships, and social-emotional wellbeing. Emily will tell you that few things bring her as much joy as working with children. She has experience as a nanny and big sister to a five year old. When Emily isn’t working, she loves to spend time with her sister, her dog Mia, and loves to be outside. Emily is delighted to be at Growing with Wonder.
Emily has been working with children since 2014. She began her training as an assistant teacher in infant and toddler classrooms in a therapeutic school for children 0-3. Her work with children completely changed the path of her life, as she was going to school in Miami and transferred to Goddard College in Vermont where she focused her studies in psychology on attachment and childhood development. She took a brief break from childcare for a year, becoming supervisor of a residential home for adults. She worked with children in Lund’s Early Childhood program, and later became the lead teacher of an infant classroom and was lucky enough to loop with her original group of infants to the toddler classroom, really seeing the impact that consistency has on a child’s development and security. She also was the Program Coordinator of an after school program for school age children. Emily has realized that her passion lives within the realm of intentional and quality care and enriching experiences for children, focusing on strong connections, secure relationships, and social-emotional wellbeing. Emily will tell you that few things bring her as much joy as working with children. She has experience as a nanny and big sister to a five year old. When Emily isn’t working, she loves to spend time with her sister, her dog Mia, and loves to be outside. Emily is delighted to be at Growing with Wonder.
Haley Bishop Rockwood, Teacher/Artist
Haley is excited to be joining Growing With Wonder starting the end of August 2020. She has a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts from the School Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Tufts University. Haley has been a nanny, teacher, and working artist for the past 10 years in Burlington. She is excited to continue her work in the field of child development at Growing With Wonder. Haley’s imaginative style works well with young children as they learn about the world we live in. She has spent the last 8 years working as a Head Teacher in a Reggio-Emilia inspired curriculum at Stepping Stones preschool in Burlington, VT, and teaching at The Davis Studio in South Burlington, VT. When she isn’t working with children or creating art, she spends time searching for inspiration with her family and friends. Recently, Haley has been dedicating her time to growing her business, the Poppyclock Collective, through community projects which will be on display around Burlington.
Haley is excited to be joining Growing With Wonder starting the end of August 2020. She has a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts from the School Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Tufts University. Haley has been a nanny, teacher, and working artist for the past 10 years in Burlington. She is excited to continue her work in the field of child development at Growing With Wonder. Haley’s imaginative style works well with young children as they learn about the world we live in. She has spent the last 8 years working as a Head Teacher in a Reggio-Emilia inspired curriculum at Stepping Stones preschool in Burlington, VT, and teaching at The Davis Studio in South Burlington, VT. When she isn’t working with children or creating art, she spends time searching for inspiration with her family and friends. Recently, Haley has been dedicating her time to growing her business, the Poppyclock Collective, through community projects which will be on display around Burlington.
