Juliana Battistoni
Sycamore Teacher
Born and raised as the oldest of a whole pack of cousins, Juliana feels like she was meant to work in childcare. She started babysitting and nannying around the five boroughs when she was 10 years old, and even when taking a break to get her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The New School, she knew she always wanted to go back to working with kids.
Juliana considers it one of the greatest joys of her life to play a small part in creating kind, warm, curious communities where children can grow into kind, warm, curious community members. She loves how Montessori principles help to guide this process and teach children to trust themselves as capable and joyful learners. Juliana also feels that educating is an inherently mutual process, and loves learning from children every single day.
When not at work, Juliana spends her time with her friends and her family, exploring her favorite museums, learning to Salsa, and attempting to get through her never-ending to-read pile. She is also currently struggling to grow a tomato plant, and is always open to gardening advice! Juliana loves pushing herself to try new hobbies and educational pursuits, and is excited to continue to grow herself as a teacher at wBees.
10 Questions with Juliana!
What is your favorite part of working in early childhood?
Getting to work in and from a place of exuberance and exploration
Is there a memory, teacher, or experience from your own education that impacts the way you approach teaching?
I’m actually still friends with my preschool teacher! I really valued being her student, and the way she treated all of the kids as individuals with different needs and different paths. I try very hard to incorporate that into my practice!
What's your favorite part of the wBees day?
Outdoor time, always! Such an amazing thing to have in the middle of my work day
If you weren't teaching early childhood/pre-school, what other age range would you like to teach?
High school—I had really wonderful teachers when I was a senior, and I feel like they made an incredible impact on my life.
What's your favorite children's book? Why?
If you were a classroom material, what would you be and why?
I aspire to be like oil pastels! Vibrant, enduring, and great at blending and changing
What's your go-to school dance party song?
The Goldfish by The Laurie Berkner Band
If you could learn anything new right now, what would it be?
How to grow small but productive garden in an NYC apartment
What's your favorite New York City spot?
The Cloisters!
What are you reading right now?
Mothers and Others by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy