Katie Frank
MAC Teacher
Katie Frank has worked for over a decade as a freelance childcare provider babysitting kids of all ages all over New York City, while pursuing her passions as a visual artist and writer. She cherishes her time spent around kids, because of their innate fascination with the world around them. While attending NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and since graduating in 2010, she has pursued her love of working with kids by designing and teaching nature, creativity, and mindfulness-based summer camp and weekend programs at Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont.
Katie feels a strong affinity with the Montessori and Forest school philosophies, particularly their emphasis on allowing children space for their natural creativity and curiosity to blossom, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to learn and grow with wBees. She is particularly excited about creating art projects with foraged and repurposed materials, exploring movement and dance, and encouraging imaginative play and storytelling.
Katie has called Ridgewood home since 2011 and is thrilled to be working in her own neighborhood. Since joining the wBees team, she has felt very inspired by the other teachers' abilities to engage the children with kindness and attention, while offering them boundless opportunities to investigate their sensory environment.
10 Questions with Katie!
What is your favorite part of working in early childhood?
My favorite part of working in early childhood is witnessing children's imaginations, senses of humor, and curiosity blossom.
Is there a memory, teacher, or experience from your own education that impacts the way you approach teaching?
I had a darkroom photography teacher in high school who was really funny and dynamic. He would notice such specific things in our work during critiques and he would give really strange assignments. He inspired me to feel comfortable being my quirky self as a teacher.
What's your favorite children's book? Why?
It's hard to pick a favorite but I love the Elephant and Piggy books by Mo Willems because they're so funny and they deal with socio-emotional issues really well.
If you were a classroom material, what would you be and why?
If I were a classroom material I would be watercolors because I would become many different beautiful artworks.
What's your go-to school dance party song?
The Goldfish by The Laurie Berkner Band because it's very silly and energetic.
If you could learn anything new right now, what would it be?
I would love to learn zoology. The kids have so many great animal questions!
What's your favorite New York City spot? Why?
Prospect Park is my favorite NYC spot because I discover some new part every time I go - different parts of the park have different feelings just like the different neighborhoods of the city, and it's so beautiful. It's both peaceful and full of life.
What's a skill, hobby, or passion of yours that you pursue outside of work?
Outside of work, I love to read, especially fiction.
What's one thing you think adults can learn from young children?
I think adults can learn from young children that sticks and rocks and leaves are precious objects.
Where is your favorite place to connect with nature? Why?
I love the beach because it lets you get really intimate with nature. You can bury yourself in billions of tiny rocks, (sand) get toasted by the sun, commune with the mysterious ocean, and maybe even take home a seashell.