EXPLORER STAFF
Miss Andrea Explorers
DePanicis-Bennett Entrepreneurship for the Education of the Young Child
My philosophy of early childhood education is based on personal experience from working with young children for 30 years, ongoing research, and theories. Also incorporated are my core values, professional ethics, and the theories of philosophers such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Maslow, and Gardner. The classroom environment is engaging, includes age-appropriate activities, and provides opportunities for learning experiences that are interesting, fun, and respectful of each child's individual needs and learning styles.
I have been employed at the YMCA for 35 years. During the first 20 years, I acted as Fitness Director while developing an out-of-the-box program which eventually became the Explorers' Educational Programs. What began as a gym class to enhance gross motor skills eventually became a multi-level program with a hands-on teaching concept centered around art and science that evolved into a four-level creative-enrichment program for children ages 2-12. While maintaining the ongoing required CECs in fitness, I returned to college to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. During my years at the Y, I have received several Program Development Awards in both the fitness and early childhood areas. Having the opportunity to spark the imagination and curiosity of children has been rewarding beyond words. The privilege of making a positive difference in a child's life is a blessing... and this I will always cherish.
My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have been together ever since. We have a daughter that teaches first grade at Kiski Area, a standard schnauzer named Huckleberry, and a groundhog that lives under our playhouse (not by choice, we don't have the heart to evict him :). My husband, Bill, and I love bicycling and try to find as many different trails as we can to explore. My daughter and I harvest milkweed during the summer to provide a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary that provides a safe environment for Monarchs from egg to butterfly.
