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, 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, 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, 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, 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.

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 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.

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