Educator of the Week

By Vanessa C. Shortley

Little School teacher has big love for students

Silva Gabriele Stumpf, child development lead teacher for middlers at The Little School, said she decided to become a teacher because of her love of children. Still, she said, she kind of fell into it.


Silva Gabriele Stumpf, child development lead teacher for middlers at The Little School, passes out scarecrows to preschoolers during the October Fall Festival at The Little School. Photo by Elizabeth Romska.

“I ‘wandered’ into [early childhood education] in the Black Forest region of Germany, where I attended a four-year ECE program that emphasized practical learning,” she said.

She was drawn to The Little School in particular, the veteran teacher of 13 years said, because of the approach they take to teaching young children by being a partner in their education instead of just an instructor.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy, which draws its name from a town in Italy, has no set curriculum or methods, but instead relies on a series of community-centric values that is child directed. It is this approach, Stumpf said, that brought her to the Little School — and the resulting environment is what has kept her at the school.

“Now in my third year, it is easier to say why I am interested in staying than why I originally came,” she said. “TLS is a place that provides a home away from home for children that houses an ambience of joy and serious intent at the same time.


“It is inspiring that the new, enlarged campus [in the Waterstone development next to Durham Technical Community College’s Orange County Campus] will strive to continue to foster a nurturing community, where teachers contribute to being part of a school, rather than ‘just’ a day care center.”

The Little School, located at 200 Davis Road with a Waterstone campus set to open in January, is a five-star preschool and child development center that offers a nurturing, exploratory education program, according to the school’s Web site.

The children Stumpf gets to teach — 2- and 3-year-olds, mostly — are also why she loves going to work every morning, she said.

The challenge of being a role model, of sharing with children and watching them light up as they learn something new are tangible benefits that spur Stumpf on, urging her to keep growing and changing herself, she said.

“I enjoy the opportunity to bring heart and soul into a class of children, with the chance to make a difference in so many little, seemingly minute ways every day,” she said. “… I enjoy the instant gratification of captivating a child, the instant tangibility of our work.

“I enjoy seeing children be creative, whether it is through language, art, movement, problem-solving, role-playing or whatever they come up with.”

Comments? Send them via e-mail: v.shortley@newsoforange.com

What would you like to say to your nominator?

“I truly appreciate your recognition on behalf of all our staff and their hard work to fill portfolios, not to mention the tireless dedication on so many levels in all classrooms.

“Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be part of the very important recognition of teachers in the field of early childhood, which will receive a boost through your series.” — Silva Gabriele Stumpf