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Explorers / Seekers

The Explorers program is for our youngest students, 18 month olds through younger two-year-olds. To join us in this classroom, students are required to be 18 months old by August 1. Explorers experience play-based learning, as we introduce them to life at school. Our youngest students in the Explorers program spend their mornings in a classroom designed for open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children. The well-planned environment provides activities designed to “grow” age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and teacher guided activities. Emphasis is placed upon the process rather than the product and the joy of hands-on, active learning projects. Our teachers work with students on developing independence and socialization, building self-control, and instilling a love of learning.

The Seekers program is for students who are “older” two year olds. They also spend their mornings in a classroom designed for open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children. The well-planned environment provides scaffolded activities designed to foster individual development and age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and materials as well as  teacher guided activities. Emphasis is placed on the active learning projects and furthering each child’s development through independence, socialization, self regulation, and foundational skill development. Our teachers work with students to instill a love of learning and the joy of discovery.

Explorers and Seekers Curriculum

Explorers participate in a modified version of Spanish, Religion, Music and Library classes. They will attend PE class weekly to practice and develop gross motor skills. Seekers participate in Spanish, Library, Religion, Music, and Movement. 

In the fall, our Explorers and Seekers will join older students in attending Primary School Chapel.

In Explorers and Seekers at St. Mark's, Students Practice:

Young girl plants a seed

Gaining Increasing Independence

Primary School Boy Creates Art

Doing Simple Projects, and Beginning to Learn How Things Work and Solving Simple Problems

Primary school girl smiles on the playground

Having an Explosion of Vocabulary from a Few Words to Simple Sentences

Primary School Boy Paints

Benefiting from Steady Routines and Having Small Jobs

Primary School boy wears a hard hat

Participating in Pretend Play

Primary School kids make a silly face

Beginning to Identify and Express their Feelings

Primary School Girl Climbs through a Tube

Developing Physical Coordination and Agility

Meet the Explorers / Seekers Team

Tricia Craft

Tricia Craft

Titles: Explorers Teacher
Maria Lomonaco

Maria Lomonaco

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Spanish Teacher
Alyssa Longoria

Alyssa Longoria

Titles: Primary School Music Teacher
Claire McCullough

Claire McCullough

Titles: Seekers Teaching Assistant
Susan Meeks

Susan Meeks

Titles: Seekers Teacher
Kristi Nowell

Kristi Nowell

Titles: Primary School Floating Assistant Teacher
Cecy Pacheco

Cecy Pacheco

Titles: Explorers Teaching Assistant
Amanda Rea

Amanda Rea

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Religion Teacher
Jillian Robbins

Jillian Robbins

Titles: Primary School Physical Education Teacher
Kristin Uptmor

Kristin Uptmor

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Librarian; Primary School Technology Teacher