OLIVIA

As a mom, I wanted my children to get messy, learn through experience, and make friends, I also wanted to meet other moms and be a part of a loving community.

I grew up in a very creative household always encouraged to be imaginative. My parents encouraged a love of art, entrepreneurship, and reading. I earned my BA at Rutgers University and then an MA from The University of Chicago in English Language and Literature. My plan was to become a professor and keep my writing, art and theater passions as hobbies. Eventually those hobbies broke free and they became my sole focus for over 10 years.

Hugs & Bugs Club was inspired by my son, Jackson, and my hopes for him to socialize more and experience new things regularly. We tried pretty much all the classes and some of them were great, especially in the beginning when they were new. But, once the wow factor of a new drum or bubble wand disappeared, he became super bored, went stir crazy, and entertained himself by finding new ways of tearing down the room or escaping. This became increasingly difficult since I was pregnant with his baby brother, Rex. So I started researching sensory games and materials, and their benefits, and I was blown away! You mean he could be entertained, learn something cool and I can take a shower for longer than two seconds!?! That's it! I decided to create Hugs & Bugs Club for a place to for him and his friends to enjoy sensory and hands-on activities.

Our second location expanded to offer a Reggio inspired school, camp and process art classes for older children, and was once again inspired by my own children and how I wanted more independent play for them in a natural environment free of overstimulating decor, toys and technology. I'm a true believer that children learn in creative play and nature. I wish to share my passion of sensory play and process art so they can be inspired and build beautiful memories too! 

MS. LUISA

I recently completed Nursing school, in hopes of continuing and reaching my ultimate goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Throughout my experience in teaching I’ve learned that working with children is my true passion and I will continue to pursue that route in my future endeavors. I have been working with children for approximately 10 years and it has been an amazing journey. Not only have I've been a part of their growth and development, but they have also been part of mine. I believe that kids have such an amazing ability of teaching you that every day is a fresh start and that a new day means new opportunities to make new friends. Children have many beautiful ways to find joy all around them and see silliness everywhere, which makes me smile constantly. I love how Hugs & Bugs Club has such a creative environment that helps children develop their senses through exploration and discovery and I love being part of the Hugs & Bugs Club Family!

MS. TENSEL

From a young age, my passion for teaching has guided my educational journey. I hold a BA in Teaching English, Italian, and German as Foreign Languages, along with an MS in Teaching English as a Second Language from the City College of New York. Having taught languages in diverse settings, including schools in Romania, New Jersey, and New York, I've learned the importance of integrating students' interests into the learning process.

Taking a break to actively participate in my children's early learning, I discovered the inspiring Hugs & Bugs Club. This school's emphasis on learning through play and the incorporation of nature deeply resonated with me. Unlike conventional schools, Hugs & Bugs Clubc embraces individuality, encouraging creativity and a focus on each child's unique interests. As a teacher and a mother, I firmly believe that children are inherently curious learners. By attentively observing their play, identifying what excites them, and understanding their questions about the world, I aim to cultivate a learning environment that fosters their natural curiosity.

At Hugs & Bugs Club, I am privileged to be part of a teaching community that values creativity and prioritizes the children's needs.  When designing my lessons I always think about ways I can bring nature inside, or ways to recycle and repurpose common materials and turn them into learning manipulatives or even art. Each day my Hugs & Bugs Club classroom involves exploring materials, spaces, light and shadows,  experimenting with sensory materials, recreating the work of great artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Pollock, creating beautiful transient art, learning math without even realizing and reading many carefully selected books.

MS. HERA

As a child I loved to roll around, get messy, and let my imagination wonder—and not much has changed as an adult! After completing my Bachelors Degree in History from the University of Loyola New Orleans, I let my passions guide me, and they led me straight to Hugs and Bugs Club! 

Working with children is always rewarding at its core. My own outlook on education align with the Reggio Emilia Approach. Everyday is different, and I am learning with the children as we discover their interests and plan activities accordingly. Most importantly however, is that our classroom allows, and even encourages, my goofiness and imagination to reveal itself as I interact with the children. I have just as much fun as the children, if not more!

I plan on continuing my education with a focus on museum education. My experiences teaching at Hugs and Bugs Club paired with my zeal for historical research combine and explode in a passion for connecting everyone with history.

MS. BRI

I graduated from Monmouth University in 2016 with a Bachelors degree in the Health Sciences and hoped to go on to Medical School to become a Doctor. After working with children as a Nanny, I soon realized that working with children was my true passion. I began working with Hugs & Bugs Club in September 2017. Working with Hugs & Bugs Club, I was really able to mold my passion for teaching. 

I teach at Hugs & Bugs Club because their values about education are so closely aligned with my own. I believe that children are intelligent beings capable of learning on their own and that the teacher serves as a facilitator of learning. Learning should be organic and fun. Hugs & Bugs Club makes learning fun and has every student in mind.

In hopes to better understand children and expand my teaching toolbox, I am working towards a Masters of Education as well as my teaching certifications in Early Childhood Education and Special Education Grades N-6 at Bank Street College of Education in Manhattan, a renowned leader in progressive education.  I am inspired by Reggio Emilia and really try to incorporate these ideas into our classes. 

In my free time, I am an artist, very interested in local history, and love researching the area we live in. I am always exploring and always looking to expand my knowledge.

MS. NORA LEE

I came to Hugs & Bugs Club for a second summer job and very shortly after I left my first job to work here solely.  I have worked with children for several years in the past and I great joy in what I do.  However, my path was never as a "teacher"; with the set stations and lessons plans, etc.  Though I hold the title of teacher now my role is much more than that. Instead of pushing a set learning plan I choose to be silly with the child, to stumble, play, test things out and see what happens.  Hugs & Bugs Club has given me the perfect environment to do that. Here every idea and activity I introduce to the child stems from what I loved and found interesting as a kid (and still do now).  I also do my best to incorporate things that were not accessible to me as a child.  My studies and growing career is in American Sign Language and Interpreting, and I hope that our use of sign language sparks an interest in everyone to further study the language and culture. I also am restlessly fascinated with other cultures and countries and do my best to travel as often as I can.  Everything from language to history, dress style to environment, music to entertainment, it all has its own uniqueness to every culture; and of course lets not forget about food!  I feel exposure to cultures other than their own is the greatest way to set the basis for social empathy, tolerance and acceptance; as well as a sense of wonder for all that the world has to offer.

MS. AMARA

I grew up in the business and restaurant industry here in Hoboken, NJ, but my passion was always Art and Education which lead to me study Visual Arts and Secondary Education. Life is full of new adventures and various paths and although I consider my self highly skilled in the business field, I always made sure to include my creative and artistic passions. After working so many years in the service industry, I felt I had lost my connection to children until I started at Hugs and Bugs Club. I immediately felt a part of the team upon my arrival and felt at home. I love being able to teach through creativity and allowing our classroom to be so expressive and fun. I love improvising and being a kid again with our students and coming up with fun and creative ways for them to learn.

MS. KIM

I have worked with children for 15+ years. During that time, I earned my degree in Liberal Studies at the Montclair State University. I accredit my love of the natural world and of progressive education to the mentorship I received for many years. I learned to cherish and respect each child's unique gifts.

As a mother of two young children and a teacher, I am inspired by the magical moments that occur when learning happens. To see children as they are and who they are becoming brings me so much joy.

I hope to create a safe space for children to be curious, help them build confidence through play, hands on experiences, and supported risk taking. I strive to encourage their desire to learn as they develop emotional awareness, an understanding of themselves and the world around them.

MS. TONI

I’m a very goofy person who loves to bring my art and music background to each class and brighten up our little bugs’ days! It is my love of nature, art and bugs that led me on an adventure to Hugs & Bugs Club as a teacher in their Outdoor Nature Pods and school classes. I feel grateful to be in an environment where we can be inspired by our students and design classes around their interests. They beam with excitement to learn! It is so important for our students to enjoy learning, experience new adventures with friends, feel confident in themselves and have fun!