CottageClass

We're a sharing economy marketplace for children's learning experiences, connecting families passionate about quality education with teachers running their own schools, workshops and classes.

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Do you dream of starting your own school? Join our community of teacherpreneurs!

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"Incredible school! My son loves it there. Can't wait until my younger one is old enough to attend as well. Noah is incredibly patient and does so many great things with the kids." -Claudia #cottageclass @cottageclass https://buff.ly/2ELwV7U

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"I have known Gabi for one year. She was one of the first teachers I asked to join CottageClass. Gabi Garcia is an extraordinary teacher and human being. I was very fortunate to meet her early on as she came highly recommended by a professor of education at NYU. I have rarely met a more brilliant, caring, resourceful, talented and creative person who has made such an extraordinary impact on the lives of young children and also their families. She not only helps children reach their highest potential through play-based learning but has an incredible gift for bringing communities together. So many families of young children told me that their children have never loved school until they met Gabi. Every child feels happy and at home with her." - Manisha @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2o6MbTb

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"I am thrilled that Ms. Caitlin is starting her own atelier--I cannot imagine a better preschool teacher! My 4 children were fortunate enough to be in Ms Caitlin's preschool classes over 6+ years, and all 4 have been accepted to Hunter College Elementary School (the school has 2% acceptance rate and no sibling policy.) I firmly believe she deserves most of the credit for them being accepted because not only did she gently guide them into being classroom citizens (how she manages this with 2-year-olds still amazes me) but she also nurtured their innate curiosity. I will never forget the time my 3 year old showed me her artistic masterpiece and explained that it was a "geothermal vent" at the bottom of the ocean with wildlife thriving off the warmth and nutrients. This curiosity and love of learning has stayed with my children ever since—my oldest is in middle school! ⠀ ⠀ Ms. Caitlin also takes the time to know each child: once I had a question for her and she asked me to wait, and I couldn't figure out why. Then she said, "I was listening to <the child's> song, I try to catch all the words." I didn't even notice the kid was singing--to me it was just babbles, but to Ms. Caitlin, children’s words, songs, and “play” are of utmost importance. The kids love the honest attention, and Ms. Caitlin truly cares about what’s going on in their little brains. I soon found myself asking her all sorts of child development questions (“why does my child transpose her letters? Is that normal?”) and was impressed at the depth of her knowledge of early childhood development. During class, she sings, giggles, plays, creates, imagines, and is an accepted member of the tribe of preschoolers; catch her after class, and you’ll find that she’s a brilliant scientist and educator who, with her love for children, has found her calling.⠀ ⠀ If all children could have an early childhood education like Ms Caitlin offers, we would see a lot more love and a lot more peace on Earth" -Crista @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2o7urXV

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"I experience Mrs. Marixsa with her own and other children every day for the last year. As a certified Waldorf teacher and a mother myself, it is such a pleasing experience to witness her professionalism and art inner devotion during the interaction with children. ⠀ She is guiding the children firmly, always with respect and warmth. There is always a positive and secure atmosphere within the groups, where elder children (up to 10years) show smaller children what they have discovered (f.i.). She gives children the space to develop socially, emotionally and at the same time manages amazingly that children of different age groups can be harmoniously together and/or explore age appropriately on their own. I know, my daughter (4yrs.) loves Mrs. Marixsa and her classes." -Ourania https://buff.ly/2FaPSyt @cottageclass #cottageclass

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"I experience Mrs. Marixsa with her own and other children every day for the last year. As a certified Waldorf teacher and a mother myself, it is such a pleasing experience to witness her professionalism and art inner devotion during the interaction with children. ⠀ She is guiding the children firmly, always with respect and warmth. There is always a positive and secure atmosphere within the groups, where elder children (up to 10years) show smaller children what they have discovered (f.i.). She gives children the space to develop socially, emotionally and at the same time manages amazingly that children of different age groups can be harmoniously together and/or explore age appropriately on their own. I know, my daughter (4yrs.) loves Mrs. Marixsa and her classes." -Ourania https://buff.ly/2FcFre6 @cottageclass #cottageclass

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"I've had the privilege to know Katri both as a colleague and my child's teacher. We taught two classes together at the Finnish School of New York. We had wonderful time working together. Katri was always well-organized and full of new ideas. She is very talented in music and uses those skills in her daily teaching. Both my 5-year-old and my 1-year-old adore her, and so do all the children who attend her classes. Katri has the special skill of truly listening to what the kids have to say and that makes her students really trust her." -Silja @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2HrrDwP

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"Caitlin has been an incredible teacher for our kids for several years. My daughter has a love of science that Caitlin knows how to cultivate in the classroom with interesting projects that really teach as well as provide fun for her young mind. My daughter has learned about life in the ocean, life as an astronaut, learned how to make her own play-dough and learned her letters and word formation with a correct pencil grip, ALL before the age of THREE thanks to Caitlin. Our son has taken art classes with Caitlin that have taught about nature and letter writing and he absolutely loves her as a teacher but also he loves what she teaches each week. Caitlin has a tremendous imagination that translates into unique art projects that are always mixing different sensory teachniques that appeal to very young minds. Caitlin is a wonderful teacher in every way." -Mike @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2oepgop

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"Gabi was a nanny for my two children while she was a student at NYU, and we absolutely adore her!! She is so warm and nurturing, funny, understanding, and flexible. She's also a great listener and communicator and was always responsive and attentive to my children's needs. She helped with homework, prepared meals, kept them on track and in line with humor and fun, and overall was a tremendous help to me and my husband and a great caregiver to our kids. We all miss her terribly, but we are thrilled that she is starting her career and launching a new adventure!" - Fabienne @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2EAwrhw

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"My family has had the pleasure of knowing Caitlin for more than six years. She was my daughter's co-op teaching when my daughter was two (she is now eight 1/2) and Caitlin's co-op was an incredible learning experience for my daughter where play and learning were carefully interwoven with fantastic lessons in science and art. My daughter learned about the ocean, air and space and about primary colors and mixing paint with glue and paper for fantastic art projects. Caitlin carefully created an interesting lesson for each class with a do-able project that did not overwhelm little hands. The projects always involved different media that helped refine my daughter's fine motor skills and made her comfortable with her hands while encouraging her active imagination for painting and creating! ⠀ ⠀ Caitlin has an incredible presence in this setting as she is gentle and loving while teaching a room of two year olds how to share, use kind words with one another and take turns. This co-op was a wonderful first learning experience for my daughter as she learned confidence and kindness from Caitlin while running home with fantastic art and science projects! ⠀ ⠀ After this co-op experience with Caitlin, my husband and I have signed up our daughter and now our three year old son for every possible class that Caitlin has taught. Weekly art classes with Caitlin are truly my children's favorite hour of the week. My son has been taking Caitlin's art classes for more than two years and he loves this class more than any other learning experience. Caitlin is gentle with her approach with teaching but effective. She teaches about different themes in nature like the seasons of the year and most recently, she is teaching a class that involves writing which my son truly loves. His letter and word writing at three years old has improved remarkably through Caitlin's interesting and well planned weekly lessons.⠀ ⠀ -Joann @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2GnHNpV

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"I've had the privilege to know Katri both as a colleague and my child's teacher. We taught two classes together at the Finnish School of New York. We had wonderful time working together. Katri was always well-organized and full of new ideas. She is very talented in music and uses those skills in her daily teaching. Both my 5-year-old and my 1-year-old adore her, and so do all the children who attend her classes. Katri has the special skill of truly listening to what the kids have to say and that makes her students really trust her." -Silja @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2HoI0dr

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"Kristen knew a lot about what Sara needed just by spending a few minutes with her. Kristen, Amanda, and Matt are all instrumental in not only Sara’s life but mine as well. They genuinely care about her and my well being. They have taught me a lot about how to interact with my daughter on a deep level. Since starting the class, Sara has improved in behavior and temperament. She is learning how to use her words for what she’s feeling and not have fits. I’ve learned how to approach her high anxiety with warmth even when the going gets tough. ⠀ This place is a staple in our family and everyone close to us can see the difference in Sara." @cottageclass #cottageclass #homeschool #edtech #brooklyn https://buff.ly/2GxvtmR

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"Working with Caitlin in the design, implementation and logistics of running a play school for almost 3 years was truly a pleasure. I often referred to her as the child whisperer as she has an incredible amount of experience, skill sets and passion for working with and listening to children. She helps them learn the art of play and the art of 'getting to know themselves and the world around them'. While a classic day in 'school' was structure with time for free play, communal time and creative output what was more striking was how the program was filled with a special focus on gently guided independence. The way in which the class was designed and structured ultimately encouraged the children explore their surroundings socially and creatively. Caitlin has an incredible awareness of the power of listening and language as tool to help center and embolden children in meaningful and positive ways. Caitlin is an incredibly talented educator and we feel blessed that we 'found' her for our program." - Ayisha @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2EL9tYC

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"Noah, Lyman, and all the other adults are wonderfully energetic and engaging and truly appreciate the kids for who they are. My son is able to play without being forced to "learn" and is also exposed to so many wonderful concepts, places, and people. We love BAA!" - Tricia @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2EwKeFP

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"William Schmidt is a passionate educator who desires to be a mentor to any and every type of student for as long as he's needed. He simultaneously validates all students and encourages them to see - and reach - their full potential. He intuitively asks questions that aim at the core of the content, which most often leads his students to significant lessons about life." -Anna #cottageclass @cottageclass https://buff.ly/2ohS5R1

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"Mr. Schmidt is a teacher who is zealous and tremendously imaginative about teaching young people. He teaches them to look within themselves to put forth their best. He has a keen talent of communicating with his students by using fun challenging activities, (it must be his theatre background). I love how he is so in tune with his students. Mr. Schmidt creates a positive inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. He encourages the students to feel comfortable with their individual learning capabilities. He creates an environment where there is mutual respect, which creates healthy peer-to-peer relationships. He really listens to them, doesn’t judge them, he helps them think over the situations to seek encouraging solutions. He does all this in a firm loving way. I have had the honor to say that Mr. Schmidt has been a teacher and is mentor to my daughter and a person I have tremendous respect and admiration for." -Angela @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2Fa5Nx8 (at Dida Academy)

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"My name is Kalle Toivio and for the past three years I have had the joy and privilege to have my 4-year old daughter Elizabeth enrolled in classes taught by Ms. Katri Inkikäinen at the Finnish School in New York City. Ms. Inkiläinen is a very talented teacher and totally devoted to teaching children. One of the classes has been with the parents present, the other a drop-off for a three hour class.⠀ During these classes, filled with music and art, as well as many other fun activities, Ms. Inkiläinen's positive attitude, compassion and kindness, has been an inspiration to the children in her class.⠀ My daughter Elizabeth is always anticipating her classes with great excitement.⠀ ⠀ I highly recommend Ms. Katri Inkiläinen as a teacher of the highest caliber." -Dr Kalle Toivio @cottageclass #cottageclass https://buff.ly/2FazIW7