Dual Role Excellence: Learning from Fox Hill Teacher & Parent Erin Lundberg (podcast)

Join Melanie Little in a conversation with Erin Lundberg, a dedicated teacher and proud parent of three alumni from Fox Hill School. Discover Erin’s journey to Fox Hill, her unique perspective as both an educator and a parent, and how her diverse background in various preschool philosophies enriches the school's program. This episode offers insights into the vibrant Fox Hill community.

Melanie Little: Welcome to Roots and Wings, the podcast from the Fox Hill School where we share ideas, insights, and conversations to help your children grow strong and Soar High. I'm Melanie Little and I'm the Director at the Fox Hill School. I'd like to introduce you to Erin Lundberg, who is a teacher at the Fox Hill School. She's also the mom of three Fox Hill School alumni. Hi, Ms. Erin, thanks so much for coming to talk to me.

Meet Ms. Erin: Fox Hill School Teacher and Danvers Mom

Erin Lundberg: Hi, Ms. Melanie. Thanks for having me.

Melanie: Of course. Are you having a nice summer?

Erin: I am. I'm very busy, as you said, with the three kids at home. I live in Danvers, just like the Fox Hill School, so we've been busy going to the local pool, going to beaches, and just having a great time.

Melanie: So fun. And tell everyone names and ages of your kids.

Erin: So I have Levi, who is 11, he's going into middle school this year, sixth grade. I have Sarah who is almost 10 and she's going into fourth grade. And I have Trey who is seven and is going into second grade this year.

Melanie: Oh my goodness. It seems like they just graduated from Fox Hill.

Erin: I know.

Melanie: Levi is going into middle school? It goes by so fast. Well, that's one of the things that I love about having you at Fox Hill because not only are you a teacher, but you also are a parent. So you've kind of seen both sides, which I just love about our teachers. Tell me a little bit about how you found the Fox Hill School to begin with.

How Erin Found the Fox Hill School Preschool in Danvers, MA

Erin: So I found Fox Hill because my sister actually had her three kids go to Fox Hill School way back, and I don't even know what year. My oldest nephew is 15 now. Oh goodness. So quite a few years ago. And she just had the most wonderful things to say about her experience there with all three kids that when I eventually moved to Danvers where she lives as well, the choice was easy of where to send Levi and continue with Sarah and Trey. And actually it was very cool because Sarah and Trey both got to, oh, actually, no, it was Levi and Sarah both got to go to school with one of their cousins at Fox Hill, so that was very cool.

Melanie: Yeah, that was fun. I remember that.

From Fox Hill Parent to Preschool Teacher in Danvers, MA

Erin: And I started in, I think it was 2022 during Trey's, second year of preschool. So that was very cool as well to get to be there as a parent and as a teacher with my youngest. And I was lucky to get in because there is just such little turnover of teachers at Fox Hill that as soon as there was an opening, I got right in there. It worked so well with our schedule with living in Danvers, their school is right down the street. And yeah, I just took that opportunity to get right in there. I knew it was going to be the best place to work.

Melanie: Oh, that's awesome. Tell me what you did before.

Erin’s Early Childhood Education Experience

Erin: So I was on a break from working for quite a few years before I came back to Fox Hill, but before that I had worked at various daycares and preschools. I was a kindergarten assistant teacher in Arlington. I also worked at Montessori schools where I loved getting experience there that I tried to bring with me to Fox Hill. And then I took a nice break when Levi was born and got back into work when Trey was finishing preschool.  So I was home with them for many years and was lucky to be there through COVID.

Melanie: Through COVID.

Erin: Yep. Through COVID. And I felt really just lucky to get into Fox Hill. Like I said, the timing was right.

Melanie: Yep. Oh, that's awesome. Well, and I know, I love that you have such vast experience from other places and other kinds of preschool philosophies and it's just great to bring that all into our program. I won't keep you too long, but I thought we would end with a fun fact about Ms. Erin.

A Fun Fact About Ms. Erin: Meet Frankie the Bearded Dragon

Erin: Oh, yes, I do have a fun fact.

Melanie: Okay.

Erin: I have a bearded dragon at home named Frankie who I can go grab if you want to meet him. Yes, please. Alright, I'll be right back. Okay.

Melanie: That is quite a fun fact. Frankie has in fact visited the Fox Hill School before and hopefully he will again someday. But in the meantime, I'm excited for you all to meet him.

Erin: Okay. So here is Frankie. He's a little squirming. I've actually brought him to Fox Hill once before, so maybe when it gets nice and hot out, what he likes because he's a desert reptile. Okay. Maybe you guys will see him.

Melanie: How old is Frankie?

Erin: He is about to be six in September.

Melanie: Wow.

Erin: We adopted him in 2021 when he was two.

Melanie: Oh  My goodness. Wow. Hi, Frankie.

Erin: He's very fun. And very squirmy.

Melanie: Well, that is a great fun fact. It looks like he wants to go.

Erin : Yeah. I'm going to hand him to Sarah. Ready, Sarah. Bye Frankie.

Yoga at Fox Hill: Mindfulness and Movement in Our Danvers Preschool Program

Melanie: Alright. Well, Ms. Erin, thanks so much for chatting with us and I'm sure we'll do it again sometime once school gets started. Ms. Erin also teaches yoga at Fox Hill, which is so fun, and we're very lucky to have these talents.

Erin: Yes. I love practicing yoga at home by myself. I've been practicing for years and now I love getting to teach the children yoga. It's one of the highlights of my week. It's so great. I just love it.

Melanie: So we'll get more into that next time.

Erin: Absolutely.

Melanie: Well, thank you so much for joining us.

Erin: You're so welcome. I can't wait to meet everybody.

Melanie: Me too. So that'll be it for today. Thanks for listening to Roots and Wings from the Fox Hill School. For more resources and upcoming episodes, visit www.foxhill-school.com. We'll see you next time.