Working to bring early childhood education into the future
Scroll down to learn more about me
and projects I'm currently working on.
Digitally Smart from the Start
I am an early childhood educator who believes that even our youngest students should be provided with learning experiences that reflect how we live, play, and think in our digitally rich world.
Developing Multimodal Literacies
Communication in today’s world is no longer limited to text on a page. This means that our students need to be prepared to share ideas using a variety of tools and modalities. I believe that the building blocks of these literacies can be laid from the very start.
Building Fluency Across Tools
Being able to communicate in complex ways also means developing fluency across tools and platforms we may use. Explore how I work daily to begin helping young students develop skills for independence in our digital world.
Bringing educators together
Teaching in the digital era means that we are no longer isolated in our own classrooms and schools! #IntEarlyEd is a Twitter hashtag community built to bring together educators from across the globe who are passionate about early childhood education. Share your practice with other’s by using the #IntEarlyEd tag!
Collaborations and Communities
I care about opportunities to collaborate with committed early childhood educators to build an environment where our students grow as passion-seekers and problem-solvers, ready for the future.
Speaking Events & Workshops
Take a look at some of the conferences I have spoken at or workshops that I will be running in the future.
Early Years Exchange (EYE)
The Early Years Exchange (EYE) is a virtual conference hosted by Taipei American School which began in 2021. The goal of this conference is to bring early educators together from around the world and give them a chance to learn with and from each other.
Digital Collaborations
Click on the button below to learn more about my work with professional communities such as Eduro and podcast appearances.
Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (AAICIS)
I am a founding member and Communications Team Leader for AAICIS, a new non-profit organization focused specifically on Instructional coaching in International Schools. To learn more click below.
Traveling Teddy
The Traveling Teddy Bears Project was started in 2014 with the goal of connecting young children in classrooms across the globe. Each bear supported one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to help spread awareness in schools around the globe!
Due to COVID-19 the Traveling Teddy Project has taken a break.
Blog Posts
Below are only few of my recent blog posts, click on the buttom below to see all of them.
Featured
About
Hi! My name is Pana and as you may have guessed, I am a teacher of young children. I spent seven years teaching in the classroom and now I’ve moved on to my passion for Technology and Design! I love what I do and the longer I do it the more passionate I become about learning. I am the founder of #IntEarlyEd (International Early Educators), and creator of the Traveling Teddy Project. I am an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2015), Book Creator and Seesaw Ambassador, and 2018 awardee of ISTE’s Kay L. Bitter Award. As a visual learner, I’ve tried to organize some tidbits about my life into a mindmap an attempt to make it less confusing. Click on the image to view the interactive version of this Popplet map.
Resume
Here are some of the great places I have had the pleasure of working at.
To see my full CV click on the button below.
TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN COACH (PREK-1)
Taipei American School
2014-Present
Lead the development and execution of the STEAM curriculum for PreK-1, fostering collaboration with grade-level teams to seamlessly integrate core curriculum for authentic concept applications
Collaborate with homeroom and specialist teachers in coaching cycles to cultivate meaningful digital skills, literacy, and citizenship aligned with the ISTE standards.
Collaborate with counselors on an annual parent presentation
Plan and host an annual 2-day family STEAM event
Develop the Building Bridges pilot program to foster peer observations and collaborations cross-divisionally
Member of Faculty Advisory Committee (3 years)
WASC Focus Group Chair (2023-24)
Member of K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Review Team
Member of Professional Growth and Evaluation Task Forces: Teachers and Specialists
HOMEROOM TEACHER (KINDERGARTEN)
Taipei American School
2013-2014
Implemented TCRWP reading and writing units, Words Their Way, Handwriting Without Tears, FOSS Science, and Math Connects
Maintained a class blog and student blogs
Worked with team members to develop units in each curricular area as well as Engineering
HOMEROOM TEACHER (KINDERGARTEN 1)
ISS International School
2011-2013
Member ofthe Math, I.T., and Program of Inquiry Committees
Collaborated on the development ofthe early years curriculum for Literacy, Math, and the Program of Inquiry
Maintained a class blog
ENGLISH HOMEROOM TEACHER (YEAR 1)
Victoria Shanghai Academy
2009-2011
Year 1 Math coordinator
Planned and taught English Reading and Writing
Collaborated with a Chinese teaching partner on implementation of Math and Program of Inquiry
Collaborated with Math Coordinators on curriculum implementation, assessment, and integration into Units of Inquiry
ENGLISH HOMEROOM TEACHER (PRE-NURSERY AND K2)
Victoria Educational Organisation
2007-2009
Planned and taughttwo half-day bilingual classes
Collaborated with two different Chinese teaching partners to execute the Program of Inquiry
Aided in running a Jolly Phonics workshop for parents
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me using a form below.