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Logo for The Strong National Museum of Play with a marble replacing the "O" in "Strong". The word "Strong" is in purple as well as the word "Play" in the subheading.

The Strong National Museum of Play

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Hometriangle separatorWoodbury Schooltriangle separatorWoodbury School Staff

Woodbury School Staff


The staff at The Strong’s Woodbury School employs a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to curriculum that encourages students to delve deeply into topics that fascinate them and stimulate their learning. Collectively, the team has nearly 90 years of teaching experience and, in addition to educating Woodbury School’s preschool and early-kindergarten students, has developed or led hundreds of conferences, seminars, and individual training opportunities on playful learning.

Tyana Velazquez-Smith

Tyana Velazquez-Smith, Assistant Vice President for Education

Tyana oversees The Strong’s education team and is responsible for the overall development and implementation of school, family, early-childhood, youth, adult, and other public education programs and activities at the museum, including the museum’s onsite Woodbury School. Prior to joining The Strong, Tyana served as director of the collegiate science technology entry program at St. John Fisher College. She also has experience teaching kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from St. John Fisher College and a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from the University of Rochester. Tyana’s pursuing a PhD in teaching curriculum and change from the University of Rochester.

Erin Cavellier

Erin Cavellier, Teacher

Erin is a teacher in both preschool and early kindergarten programs at Woodbury School. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in studio art from Binghamton University. Erin has taught toddlers, as well as preschool- and school-age children across several programs in Asheville, North Carolina.


Andrea Serry

Andrea Serry, Lead Teacher

Andrea is a teacher in both preschool and early kindergarten programs at Woodbury School. She has prior teaching experience through St. John Early Childhood Program, Child Care Council of Rochester, and Action for a Better Community. Andrea holds a master’s degree in education for childhood literacy from the State University of New York at Brockport.


Sarah Tubbs

Sarah Tubbs, Teacher

Sarah is a teacher in both preschool and early kindergarten programs at Woodbury School. Prior to coming to Woodbury School, Sarah was a preschool teacher and director at the Family Resource Center of Hillside Family of Agencies and a preschool teacher at the Carlson Metrocenter YMCA. She holds a master’s degree in inclusive education from Nazareth College.


Sybil Martella

Syble Martella, Teaching Assistant

Syble is a teaching host for school lessons and a teaching assistant in Woodbury School. She has contributed to several museum projects and programs outside of her teaching responsibilities, including interactive storytelling, Boy Scout and Girl Scout workshops, and Storytime Club.


Georgie Henry, Teaching Assistant

Georgie Henry, Teaching Assistant

Georgie is both a teaching assistant in Woodbury School and a gallery host in the museum. She has earned an Associate of Arts and Science in Early Childhood Education degree and a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education.


An two little girls holding hands and gesturing excitedly while they play at The Strong museum.

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Rochester, New York 14607
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Become a Member

  • Visit
    • Hours and Admission
    • Directions and Parking
    • Events Calendar
    • Membership
    • Accessibility
    • Museum Rentals
    • Dine and Shop
  • Exhibits
    • Museum Exhibits
    • Online Exhibits
    • National Toy Hall of Fame
    • World Video Game Hall of Fame
    • Skyline Climb
    • Play Lab
    • Butterfly Garden
    • Carousel and Train
  • Collections
    • Search Collections
    • Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play
    • International Center for the History of Electronic Games
    • The National Archives of Game Show History
    • Research Access
    • Research Fellowships
    • Donate an Artifact
    • Preservation
  • Support
    • Expansion Campaign
    • Individual Giving
    • Corporate Giving
    • The Play Ball
  • About
    • Margaret Woodbury Strong
    • Museum News
    • Board of Trustees
    • Play Makers Leadership Council
    • Community Access
    • Annual Reports
    • Press Room
    • Books
    • Play Quotes

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