Lower School at Baldwin is joyful, engaging and full of exciting milestone moments. During the seven years that encapsulate a lower school experience from Pre- K - Grade 5, children at Baldwin build a strong foundation that includes well-rounded academics, self-advocacy and social-emotional skills. Essential for personal growth and development, this foundation is also intentionally structured to prepare girls to succeed and thrive in middle school and beyond. From discovering the world through inquiry and exploration to collaborating with peers and developing critical thinking skills, Baldwin thoughtfully and expertly offers an enriching education for young girls. The Baldwin School is where girls enjoy a welcoming community, learn in a safe, cooperative, supportive environment and make lifelong friends. 

 

Lower school teachers are truly extraordinary, as they play a vital role in shaping early educational experiences and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Their work lays the foundation for future success. Visit our school on any day and you will observe our lower school faculty in action, showcasing their impressive multi-subject expertise, remarkable adaptability in meeting students’ needs and their ability to forge deep connections with both students and their families. The patience and resilience they embody each day serve as powerful examples for students to follow. Their passion and dedication ignite a love of learning, making the Baldwin community a more supportive and uplifting place for all.

 

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Long Island University - MEd

Boston College - BA

 

Christine brings a sense of wonder and warmth to Baldwin's youngest learners as the Pre-Kindergarten teacher. She nurtures curiosity and a love of learning in her classroom. Christine treasures the natural sense of discovery her students bring, sharing, "I love teaching the youngest Bears; they have a natural sense of wonder and curiosity." This year, her Garden unit sparked particular excitement, with students planting and caring for sunflower seeds and extending their exploration into the outdoors during recess. Whether journaling about plant growth or digging in the dirt, Christine’s students develop an early appreciation for nature and learning. Reflecting on her growth and what her students have taught her this year, Christine shares that through teaching young children, "I have learned how easy it is to forgive and to accept forgiveness."

 

 

Grade 5 Teacher

Fordham University - MA

Bloomsburg University - BA

 

Mallory Becker teaches Grade 5 Humanities at Baldwin, bringing a dynamic and joyful energy to the classroom. She guides her students through the pivotal transition from Lower School to Middle School. Mallory is inspired by the unique balance her students bring, explaining, "They bring a LS sense of joy to their work while embracing academic maturity and challenging thinking." A highlight of the year is the collaborative podcast project, where students create richly researched episodes on Ancient India, blending technology, writing and creativity. This year’s class, which had first experienced the project as third graders, came prepared and enthusiastic for the challenge. Mallory appreciates how her students embrace learning with energy, saying they have taught her that “Every class has a different personality.” This year’s theme was unmistakably about “having fun and loving a challenge. From class inside jokes to being excited to figure out the story within Ancient Egyptian artifacts, this class embraced joy at every turn.”

 

 

Grade 4 Teacher

High Point University - MA, BA

 

As a 4th-grade teacher at Baldwin, Caity finds deep joy in the way her students lift one another up both in and outside the classroom. She explains, “They genuinely support and encourage one another, building each other up and cheering on each other’s successes.” This strong sense of community was especially evident during the recent Passion Projects, a fully student-driven initiative where each girl selected her topic, research question and presentation method. The independence and excitement the students showed were a clear sign of their growing confidence and curiosity. Reflecting on the impact her class has had on her, Caity shared that they’ve helped her rediscover joy in teaching: “These students have brought my silliness back … it was refreshing that this class reminded me that we can laugh and be silly together.”

 

 

Grade 1 Teacher

Rollins College - MA

University of Pennsylvania - MEd

 

Alexandra has taught first grade at Baldwin for three years, following her experience teaching a hybrid Kindergarten/First Grade cohort at Germantown Friends School. She is deeply passionate about the multiple modalities of literacy and is committed to ensuring that every child sees themselves reflected in the texts they encounter. Alexandra believes strongly in providing students with access to literature that serves as both mirrors and windows — helping them understand their own experiences while gaining insight into the lives of others. Most recently, her class completed an interdisciplinary unit centered on the Bryn Mawr community. As part of this i2 unit, students explored mapping skills, learned about different types of communities — such as rural and urban — and participated in a walking tour of Bryn Mawr. The unit culminated with each student selecting a location within Bryn Mawr to research and then recreate as an independently constructed 3-D model.

 

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Cabrini University - MEd

University of Notre Dame - BA

 

Hope, a Pre-K teacher in Baldwin’s Early Childhood Center, thrives on designing engaging, project-based learning experiences tailored to her students’ interests. “I have the most fun when I am learning with my girls,” she says, reflecting her belief in shared discovery and joy in the classroom. A recent highlight was their i2 unit, “Clothing: The Fabric that Connects Us,” during which the students created busy boards using everyday fasteners such as toggles, velcro, zippers and ties. They even learned how to sew on a button. The project not only built fine motor and practical life skills, but also encouraged the girls to see their clothing in a new, thoughtful way. Above all, Hope’s students have taught her the importance of truly tuning in: “If we want them to listen to us, we need to first listen to them.”

 

 

Grade 2 Teacher

West Chester University - MEd

Villanova University - BA

 

Gina has served Baldwin in many capacities over the years and is currently teaching second grade. She finds great joy in cultivating inclusive, engaging spaces where all students feel empowered to learn in ways that suit them best. “Seeing students learn, blossom and reach their full potential is incredibly rewarding,” she reflects. A recent highlight was a project on endangered animals, where students enthusiastically researched, drafted and published informational books they proudly shared with peers and visiting family members. Gina’s students have also reminded her of the importance of staying curious and joyful in the learning process: “Their questions, excitement and eagerness to explore new ideas remind me daily how powerful a love of learning can be. They’ve shown me that when we create a supportive and engaging environment, students thrive — and so do teachers.”

 

 

Grade 3 Teacher

Cabrini University - MA

Gettysburg College - BA

 

Peter teaches third grade at Baldwin and finds his greatest joy in the quiet but powerful moments of discovery his students experience. “The most joy I get is when a student has an aha! moment,” he shares. Those moments of understanding and connection are what fuel his teaching. A standout activity this year was a creative writing project where students researched a National Park and wrote fictional pourquoi tales explaining something unique about it. Fully immersed in the roles of author and illustrator, the students not only took pride in publishing their books but were also eager to read each other's work. This year, Peter also learned something unexpected from his students: “That music can play a powerful role in learning and achieving success.”

 

 

Kindergarten Teacher

West Chester University - MEd

Elizabethtown College - BS

 

As a Kindergarten teacher at Baldwin, Alison finds her greatest joy in witnessing the remarkable growth her students experience throughout the school year. “At the young age of 5 and 6, the girls change so dramatically in the nine months we spend together,” she shares, noting how special it is to look back at their early writing and see their development. This year, one of the most exciting classroom projects was the nonfiction unit on Woodland Animals. Using books, videos and even footage from Alison’s backyard, the students explored local wildlife before creating their dioramas, tracks and informational videos. The project culminated in a collaborative bulletin board that celebrated their learning. Reflecting on her time with this particular class, Alison says, “They reminded me of the importance of daily joy and gratitude … their love of school, learning and their teacher shone through every single day, which made me grateful to be around them.”

 

 

Grade 4 Teacher

Rowan University - BA

 

Julia teaches fourth grade at Baldwin and finds her inspiration in the students she works with every day. “The students bring me the most joy … they make my days exciting, fun and worth all of the hard work that goes into teaching,” she says. “I love getting to know each and every one of them.” One of the highlights of the school year is the Passion Project, a capstone experience that allows students to research a topic of their choice and create a product that showcases their individual skills and interests. The creativity and enthusiasm the girls bring to this independent work is a clear reflection of their growing confidence and curiosity. Julia credits her students with reminding her of an important teaching truth: “Learning should be fun, creative, and it’s okay to be a little silly in the classroom. Sometimes, laughter is the best part of the day and the lessons we remember are sometimes the most fun ones that didn't always go perfectly to plan.”

 

 

Grade 1 Teacher

Kutztown University - BA

Missy teaches first grade at Baldwin and finds deep fulfillment in watching her students grow across all areas of development — academically, socially and emotionally. She shares, “I also enjoy having former students pop in during alumni weekends and open houses,” reflecting the lasting relationships she builds in her classroom. A recent highlight was the i2 field trip, where students explored Bryn Mawr and connected their learning to the real world. Along the way, they met both an alumna and a parent of an alumna, enriching the experience with community ties. This year, Missy’s students reminded her of the power of simplicity: “Although electronics are accessible, they would rather create with crafting materials, dig for worms, build fairy houses, play freeze tag and listen to me read from classics like My Father's Dragon, Too Small Tola and Clementine.”

 

 

Grade 3 Teacher

Relay Graduate School of Education - MA

Colby College - BA

 

Emily, a third-grade teacher and Middle School softball coach, finds her greatest joy in watching her students grow and evolve over the school year. “By the end of the year, they can make bar models with multiple operations, write paragraphs, do research and use their critical thinking skills to discuss with classmates,” she says proudly. A recent project that captured her class’s excitement was the National Parks unit. Students took on the role of Junior Park Rangers, researching environmental issues and designing signs to educate visitors. Their enthusiasm peaked when Middle School History Teacher and Grade 6 Dean Bridget Doherty, a former U.S. Park Ranger, visited the class. They were officially sworn in as Junior Park Rangers and researched issues in their park with the ultimate goal of creating a sign to inform visitors on how to protect and preserve the park. Her students continually remind Emily that joy often resides in the little moments: “They get so excited and giggle at funny parts and GASP at surprise endings”—a powerful reminder to stay present and delight in the wonder of learning.

 

 

Grade 2 Teacher

The University of Maryland - MA

The Catholic University of America - BA

 

Erin teaches second grade at Baldwin and finds her greatest joy in building long-lasting connections with her students and their families. “Getting to know them and their siblings over the years has been the best part. I love when I get to have multiple sisters throughout the years. It’s so fun!” she shares. A standout experience in her classroom this year has been the introduction of "Cub of the Week," a special celebration that allows each student to shine. From interviews and family photo sharing to personal notes written by classmates, the activity has brought excitement and a sense of community to the classroom. Erin reflects that her students have taught her the value of curiosity and resilience: “Whether they were exploring new books, solving tricky math problems or learning how to be a good friend, their willingness to try, learn from mistakes and keep going has inspired me. They've shown me that growth happens when we support each other and keep a joyful attitude — even when things get tough.”

 

 

Grade 5 Teacher

Eastern University - BS

 

Lynnae teaches fifth-grade math and also coaches Upper School soccer and track and field. What brings her the most joy at Baldwin is the students’ willingness to be authentic. “They make every day in the classroom enjoyable and there is never a dull moment!” she says. A highlight of her year is the Cookie Project, where students apply their knowledge of fractions to real-world baking scenarios, culminating in a festive cookie celebration before winter break. This hands-on experience blends math and fun in a way the students love. Lynnae credits her students with teaching her a key lesson this year: “They have made simple things like taking notes and studying for quizzes enjoyable because of the energy they bring.”

 

           

Kindergarten Teacher

Cabrini University - MEd

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business - MBA

Hood College - BA

 

Carol teaches Kindergarten at Baldwin and is energized by the bright smiles and big personalities in her classroom. “They are so eager to learn new things and make the funniest comments throughout the day!” she shares. One memorable i2 project this year focused on recycling and upcycling, where students transformed everyday items into art, toys and portraits. Whether they created Chihuly-inspired chandeliers, marble mazes or playful abstract self-portraits, the girls embraced the idea of turning trash into treasure — and kept the spirit of reimagining alive long after the project ended. Carol's class also sparked her creativity: “This year I had a class that loved drawing! They taught me some new kid-friendly ways to draw eyes and clothing that I will pass along to next year's class,” she says.

To learn more about our Lower School academic program, click here.