I grew up in New Jersey, attended Columbia University, and moved to Brooklyn in 2009 after graduation—and I’m never leaving! I received my Master’s degree in early childhood and childhood general education from Bank Street College in 2019. I worked as an Associate Teacher at City and Country, first with four-year-olds, and then two years in first grade. I believe that learning should be fun, immersive, meaningful, and should help students understand their own identities, as well as those of others, to help them navigate the world in the future. I spend most of my free time cooking, trying to learn the ukulele, singing nonsense songs to my three cats, and binge-watching good TV with my husband.

I am from White Plains, New York. I like to read, watch television, and hang out in Central Park. I have an undergraduate degree in political science and a Master’s degree in elementary education from the Bank Street College of Education. In summers, I spend a bunch of time outside hiking, reading, and relaxing.

My name is Jean Li "Jinli" Spencer, and I reside in Brooklyn as a schoolteacher and visual artist. I earned my undergraduate degree at Wellesley College and hold my master's in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania. Before transitioning into schools full-time, I worked in the editorial departments at several children's publishing imprints. I believe that every child is innately a doer, a thinker, and a creator. In the words of rapper Travis Scott, "I was really wanting to learn. I always see the vision through. Never go short on the vision." That mindset is what led me back into the classroom and what I seek to inspire in each student. I'm thrilled to be part of the special community here.

As a young adult, I aspired to be an artist. Needing to pay the bills, I had the opportunity to work with children as a preschool assistant teacher. To my surprise, I discovered a greater joy and creativity in education than I did in the hours spent toiling alone in a dusty studio. Fast forward, a decade later, I received my Master’s degree in childhood education from Bank Street College and moved on up to working with the big kids in elementary school. I love to foster a love of learning and a positive sense of self with the children that I work with. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy riding my bike, playing sports, exploring nature, and hanging out in Prospect Park. I may even bring out the watercolors every now and then.

I grew up on the West Coast, however, I have made my home here in Brooklyn. It is with devotion to progressive pedagogy and experience working in New York City independent schools that I’ve come to teach at The Co-op School. Through the years, I’ve worked with children in grades two to six as a classroom teacher and math/science specialist. I believe new knowledge is built on prior experience, meaningful learning occurs when working with authentic problems, quality work requires high standards, and diversity among learners must be celebrated. I have a Master’s degree in education from Bank Street College, alongside a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science and mathematics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. The outdoors, basketball, jokes, games, and the people in my life bring me great joy.

I am so excited return for a second year with the Co-Op Kindergarten team this fall! I see myself as a lifelong student, educator, and musician, and I am excited to bring these different parts of myself to the Kindergarten classroom. After studying music at Hamilton college, my lifelong passion for education (thank you for inspiring me, mom and dad!) led me to childcare and teaching. From giving private violin lessons, to nannying, to leading a first grade classroom —these experiences have shaped my identity and my pedagogy in the most profound and beautiful ways. I look forward to meeting this year’s kindergarteners with warmth and curiosity, and I look forward to working with Adina to cultivate a joyful and equitable classroom community. In my free time, I love to explore my Prospect Heights neighborhood with my partner, Marina, and our husky, Jason. I enjoy curling up with a good book and my cat, Cicero. I love cooking with double the recommended amount of garlic, singing in a community choir, and playing guitar or fiddle with my friends.

I was born and raised in Bed Stuy and have only lived in the borough of Brooklyn my whole life. Currently I reside in the Kensington/Midwood area. Both of my parents hail from Barbados and I am very proud of my West Indian heritage. I worked at my previous school for 16 years and it was there that I discovered my passion for teaching while doing multiple jobs in the time that I was there. A lifelong dream of mine was to become a professional racing driver, but my true introduction to the classroom came when I had the opportunity to teach children about car racing. From that moment on, I was hooked. I began by teaching 1st–4th graders, then spent two years teaching Pre-K 3 and most recently taught Pre-K 4. Currently, I am a senior at Brooklyn College pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I am thrilled to be joining the Kindergarten team and the Co-Op School community, where I look forward to both continuing my own learning journey in education and sharing my experiences with students and colleagues. Outside of the classroom I enjoy traveling and trying new foods, sim racing and go karting, swimming and riding around Brooklyn on my bike.

I am very excited to join The Co-op School as one of the kindergarten teachers this year!

As a teacher I love creating classroom communities that are inviting, creative and engaging. Within my classroom students are encouraged to grow, try new interests and remain curious alongside their peers. This will be my sixth year working in education after graduating from The University of Virginia. While at UVA I studied psychology and elementary education, earning both my Bachelor degree and Master’s degree. While born and raised in NYC, specifically Queens, I do spend quite a lot of time in Virginia with family and friends. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the families in this community, and am so glad to be a part of this wonderful school.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sacramento. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s in English literature. While in college, I began a career as a professional musician. I enjoyed a busy time in the music business writing, recording, and performing on tour around the US and Europe. I moved to New York City and began working as a session singer. I became a mentor for tween and teen girls in the Lower East Side. I loved the work and especially the collaboration with the public schools in Alphabet City. I decided to formalize my work with children and entered NYU Steinhardt. I graduated with a dual master’s in special education and general education for grades 1-6.

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area to parents who had immigrated to California from El Salvador. I attended San Francisco State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts. in arts education, then moved to Brooklyn in 2004. After almost eight years of teaching high school art and design, I entered New York University Steinhardt School and earned a Master of Arts in arts education. I have exhibited my artwork and painted murals nationally and internationally and I continue to practice my art in Brooklyn, where I live with my wife, Adia, and our two beautiful children (currently at The Co-op School!)

I was born in Québec and lived in Montreal for many years, where I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in translation before moving to New York City 16 years ago. I then worked as a french translator and a cultural consultant until my volunteering work inspired me to become a teacher in French immersion schools four years ago. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in childhood education at Hunter College and am thrilled to guide our first graders through their joyful investigations and explorations. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and baking (mostly because eating is my favorite activity!), reading, going on hikes with my family, practicing tae kwon do and teaching my children French.