Teachers
Adina and Andrew are both Lead Teachers for the Preschool and EEP classes.
Adina Levitt 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.
~B.A. degree in Human Development & Social Relations, Earlham College, 1996
(an interdisciplinary major focusing in the areas of Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology)
This core interest in understanding people makes me an excited partner with you, the parent, to learn more about your child. I am curious to see where your child's interests are, how to use these interests to help him/her develop and learn, how to help your child feel comfortable in a group setting, and how to help your child overcome any challenges that he/she may be facing.
~Child Development Associate degree (CDA), National Credentialing Program, Washington, DC, 2007
I completed 120+hour in Early Childhood Education. All coursework was completed in Iowa City.
~One on One Preschool Educator, hired by Grant Wood AEA, West Branch, Iowa, 2003-1 year
Since I know American Sign Language (ASL) I was hired to help a hard of hearing preschooler learn ASL and make sure she was academically prepared for kindergarten in a day care setting. I also teach the children at Discovery Cottage some sign language at Circle Time and songs.
~Teacher for Deaf children at a residential treatment program, Walden School, MA 1997-98
I worked with 6-9 yr olds that had a history of physical/sexual abuse as their teacher.
I also worked in a group home with Deaf adults that were Developmentally Delayed.
~Yoga Teacher, Co-Owner (w/Andrew) of the Classical Yoga Center, Iowa City, 1999-2010
In 1999 I completed a 6 month residential Yoga Teacher Training program in India. I also taught Pre and Post natal yoga for many years in Iowa City. Many of those babies were my first clients at Discovery Cottage.
~Shamanic Practitioner, Iowa City, www.adinajoy.com
I currently work as a Shamanic Practitioner and meet with individual clients. You can look at the website for a full description. I completed a 3 1/2 yr. shamanic apprenticeship in Madison and traveled to Peru with my teacher in 2011. If you have any further questions about shamanism feel free to ask and I would be happy to talk to you about.
Adina Levitt 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.
~B.A. degree in Human Development & Social Relations, Earlham College, 1996
(an interdisciplinary major focusing in the areas of Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology)
This core interest in understanding people makes me an excited partner with you, the parent, to learn more about your child. I am curious to see where your child's interests are, how to use these interests to help him/her develop and learn, how to help your child feel comfortable in a group setting, and how to help your child overcome any challenges that he/she may be facing.
~Child Development Associate degree (CDA), National Credentialing Program, Washington, DC, 2007
I completed 120+hour in Early Childhood Education. All coursework was completed in Iowa City.
~One on One Preschool Educator, hired by Grant Wood AEA, West Branch, Iowa, 2003-1 year
Since I know American Sign Language (ASL) I was hired to help a hard of hearing preschooler learn ASL and make sure she was academically prepared for kindergarten in a day care setting. I also teach the children at Discovery Cottage some sign language at Circle Time and songs.
~Teacher for Deaf children at a residential treatment program, Walden School, MA 1997-98
I worked with 6-9 yr olds that had a history of physical/sexual abuse as their teacher.
I also worked in a group home with Deaf adults that were Developmentally Delayed.
~Yoga Teacher, Co-Owner (w/Andrew) of the Classical Yoga Center, Iowa City, 1999-2010
In 1999 I completed a 6 month residential Yoga Teacher Training program in India. I also taught Pre and Post natal yoga for many years in Iowa City. Many of those babies were my first clients at Discovery Cottage.
~Shamanic Practitioner, Iowa City, www.adinajoy.com
I currently work as a Shamanic Practitioner and meet with individual clients. You can look at the website for a full description. I completed a 3 1/2 yr. shamanic apprenticeship in Madison and traveled to Peru with my teacher in 2011. If you have any further questions about shamanism feel free to ask and I would be happy to talk to you about.
Andrew Levitt
HI, I'm Andrew. I've been working as a teacher at Discovery Cottage 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.
~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, Washington, DC, 2013
I completed 120+hour in Early Childhood Education. All coursework was completed in Iowa City.
~Co-Founder of Outdoor Adventures Camp, Iowa City, Iowa, 2012-13
www.outdooradventuresiowa.com
I co-created and co-directed a camp in the summers of 2012 & 2013 for children 5-9 yrs old. It sure was fun. I made the difficult decision to stop working at the camp that I loved because it made sense to work with the preschool kids year round and not take a leave of absence in the summers. I still highly recommend this camp to others who are interested in a summer camp, my co-founder Marc carries on the camp in a good way. I grew up loving camps, my special oasis was Camp Takodah in New Hampshire, where I went for
10 years and was a camp counselor for 5 years.
~Teacher's Aide in Iowa City Schools, 2004
I worked with children with Down Syndrome and behavior disorders.
~Volunteered with children who had Cerebral Palsy in Columbia, South America, 1995
Andrew learned Spanish in his time spent in Columbia.
~Yoga Teacher, Co-Owner (w/Adina) of the Classical Yoga Center, Iowa City, 1999-2013.
I taught yoga for 18 years in Indiana and Iowa. I completed a 1 year residential Yoga Teacher Training program in India.
~Center Director for the Mankind Project, Central Plains Region, 2013-2016
I managed the local division of this non-profit, stewarding several hundred men in their journey towards personal growth. I help facilitate a local Men's Group in Iowa City and staff's men's adventure weekends nationally. www.mankindproject.org
~I also completed a 2 1/2 year shamanic apprenticeship, along with Adina, in Madison, 2013 I traveled to Peru with my teacher in 2011 and our immediate family returned in 2013.
HI, I'm Andrew. I've been working as a teacher at Discovery Cottage 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.
~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, Washington, DC, 2013
I completed 120+hour in Early Childhood Education. All coursework was completed in Iowa City.
~Co-Founder of Outdoor Adventures Camp, Iowa City, Iowa, 2012-13
www.outdooradventuresiowa.com
I co-created and co-directed a camp in the summers of 2012 & 2013 for children 5-9 yrs old. It sure was fun. I made the difficult decision to stop working at the camp that I loved because it made sense to work with the preschool kids year round and not take a leave of absence in the summers. I still highly recommend this camp to others who are interested in a summer camp, my co-founder Marc carries on the camp in a good way. I grew up loving camps, my special oasis was Camp Takodah in New Hampshire, where I went for
10 years and was a camp counselor for 5 years.
~Teacher's Aide in Iowa City Schools, 2004
I worked with children with Down Syndrome and behavior disorders.
~Volunteered with children who had Cerebral Palsy in Columbia, South America, 1995
Andrew learned Spanish in his time spent in Columbia.
~Yoga Teacher, Co-Owner (w/Adina) of the Classical Yoga Center, Iowa City, 1999-2013.
I taught yoga for 18 years in Indiana and Iowa. I completed a 1 year residential Yoga Teacher Training program in India.
~Center Director for the Mankind Project, Central Plains Region, 2013-2016
I managed the local division of this non-profit, stewarding several hundred men in their journey towards personal growth. I help facilitate a local Men's Group in Iowa City and staff's men's adventure weekends nationally. www.mankindproject.org
~I also completed a 2 1/2 year shamanic apprenticeship, along with Adina, in Madison, 2013 I traveled to Peru with my teacher in 2011 and our immediate family returned in 2013.
 First weaving
Adina started Discovery Cottage Preschool in 2006 when our son Raven was 2 yrs. old. He is currently a 9th grader. . |
Our dog Kaya is 4 yrs old. She is a Labradoodle (Lab/Poodle). She hangs out with the kids and also sleeps a lot in a closed off bedroom. She does not shed, yeah! |