Our Teachers
Dana Ferrarelli
Outdoor Garden Teacher
- 40 Years of Experience in ECE
Qualifications & Certifications
A.A. Child Development
ECE Certificate
Various Professional Development Certificates
Bio & Philosophy
Began Teaching in 1983 in Long Beach. Parents volunteer in elementary school. Felt called to teach from about the age of ten. The preschool years are an extremely important time of life when the need for appropriate life experience are most crucial.
I teach because I value this season of life and want to pass on a love of learning, concern for others and lifelong curiosity in the world around us.
“A man’s about as happy as he makes up his mind to be.”
- Abraham Lincoln
Fun & Personal Touches
It's hard to choose one book, as a child I loved (and still do) the illustrations in “Green Eyes”, by A. Buirnbaum. Currently
- Favorite authors: Leo Lionn, Elsa Beskow, Beatrix Potter, Robert McCloskey, Jack Kent, Richard Scarry, Margaret Wise Brown, Eric Carle.
- My favorite classroom activity: All things messy, especially finger painting. Outdoors my favorite thing to do is be there for support when children make discoveries in the natural world. Ladybugs, praying mantises, butterflies laying eggo ... .the wonder and curiosity is a privilege to nurture and join in with.
- Fun fact: I spent many years as a historical reenactor and living history docent at Rancho Los Cerritos, portraying Margaret Bixby, “the mother of Long Beach”, to LBUSD fourth graders.