Teachers
Andrew Levitt
-Discovery Cottage Preschool & Early Enrichment Program Teacher
(Year Round)
-Discovery Cottage Summer Camp K-6th Grade Counselor
(Summer)
Hi, I'm Andrew. I've been working as a teacher at Discovery Cottage since 2013, although I have been assisting with the school since the beginning. I love being with the kids, sharing my energy, and witnessing their enthusiasm for life. I love the space that emerges from being with the kids at their level.
I know that our school helps to provide a firm foundation for children as they step out into the world, a space that it is safe and challenging, stimulating and nurturing. Every day at Discovery Cottage is a gift, and we receive as much as we give. The great flow we have created at Discovery Cottage shifts between structured and unstructured periods in a manner that keeps the children engaged. Once they learn the structure, the children are happy and eager to participate in its flow.
I specialize in Fun and being a Fun Monster (monster tag), Preschool Comedian, and Puppet Master (with specialty puppets: "Chef-Puppet" encourages kids to eat their snack, and "Fire-Fighter"-Fred teaches fire safety and more). I love inventing silly games, one of the class favorites is called "Don't go down the slide!" (where the child laughs and goes down the slide). In these simple laughs children learn to distinguish between real rules and silly fun. I, in return, get the opportunity to play in the moment with children who are full of joy and laughter-- and this I find extremely enriching to my life. I continue to slow down and be present in each of their moments.
I am currently going back to graduate school, Fall 2021, to get an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy.
~M.A. degree in South Asian Studies with a focus on Yoga, Gandhi, University of Iowa, 2012
~B.A./M.A. degree in Religious Studies, Earlham College, 1996/1997
~Child Development Associate degree (CDA), National Credentialing Program
~Co-Founder of Outdoor Adventures Summer Camp, Iowa City, Iowa, 2012 and 2013
-Discovery Cottage Preschool & Early Enrichment Program Teacher
(Year Round)
-Discovery Cottage Summer Camp K-6th Grade Counselor
(Summer)
Hi, I'm Andrew. I've been working as a teacher at Discovery Cottage since 2013, although I have been assisting with the school since the beginning. I love being with the kids, sharing my energy, and witnessing their enthusiasm for life. I love the space that emerges from being with the kids at their level.
I know that our school helps to provide a firm foundation for children as they step out into the world, a space that it is safe and challenging, stimulating and nurturing. Every day at Discovery Cottage is a gift, and we receive as much as we give. The great flow we have created at Discovery Cottage shifts between structured and unstructured periods in a manner that keeps the children engaged. Once they learn the structure, the children are happy and eager to participate in its flow.
I specialize in Fun and being a Fun Monster (monster tag), Preschool Comedian, and Puppet Master (with specialty puppets: "Chef-Puppet" encourages kids to eat their snack, and "Fire-Fighter"-Fred teaches fire safety and more). I love inventing silly games, one of the class favorites is called "Don't go down the slide!" (where the child laughs and goes down the slide). In these simple laughs children learn to distinguish between real rules and silly fun. I, in return, get the opportunity to play in the moment with children who are full of joy and laughter-- and this I find extremely enriching to my life. I continue to slow down and be present in each of their moments.
I am currently going back to graduate school, Fall 2021, to get an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy.
~M.A. degree in South Asian Studies with a focus on Yoga, Gandhi, University of Iowa, 2012
~B.A./M.A. degree in Religious Studies, Earlham College, 1996/1997
~Child Development Associate degree (CDA), National Credentialing Program
~Co-Founder of Outdoor Adventures Summer Camp, Iowa City, Iowa, 2012 and 2013
Adina Levitt
-Discovery Cottage Summer Camp K-6th Grade Counselor
(Summer Only)
Hi, I'm Adina. I established Discovery Cottage Preschool and Early Enrichment Program in 2006. I created the school because I love spending time in the joyfulness of children and immersing myself in all forms of creativity with them. Starting in 2013, Andrew and I ran the school together for 7 years. I will not be teaching this fall, but I'm excited to come back for the summer to reconnect with alumni of Discovery Cottage (DC) and meet some new campers and families as well.
I am currently going back to graduate school, Fall 2021, to get a Masters in Social Work (MSW).
~B.A. degree in Human Development & Social Relations, Earlham College, 1996
~Child Development Associate degree (CDA), National Credentialing Program
First weaving
Adina started Discovery Cottage Preschool in 2006 when our son Raven was 2 yrs. old. He is currently a senior.
Our dog Kaya is 7 yrs old. She is a Labradoodle (Lab/Poodle). She sometimes hangs out with the kids and also sleeps a lot in a closed off bedroom. She has grown up around the preschoolers since she was a puppy and is very gentle and sweet with the kids.