Through our Faculty/Staff Spotlight series, we invite our community members to get to know Gulliver Prep teachers and staff members across every division. Our most recent spotlight features Ariana Paraskos, Primary School Faculty. Read on to explore her approach to teaching, the values she hopes to instill, and the unforgettable moments already shaping her classroom.
What inspired you to become a teacher, and how does your background as an alum and parent at Gulliver influence your approach in the classroom?
From a young age I loved taking care of children. I was a babysitter, nanny, camp counselor, and then teacher. One of my biggest influences in becoming a teacher was my 3rd Grade teacher at Gulliver, Laura Yusko. Mrs. Yusko had an approach to teaching that was different from all of my other teachers. She made learning fun! We created and published our own books, had a tent set up in our classroom where we could go and read, and never opened a text book. Mrs. Yusko’s unique approach to teaching helped me to engage and love to learn. I knew that I wanted to offer children the same type of experience when I was older. I wanted to become the teacher whose classroom students wanted to come to each day to learn and grow into whoever they chose to be. Now that I am a mother, it is so important to me that each child in my classroom feels safe and encouraged to be the best they can be, and I hope the same for my own son in each of his classes as he grows.
As a first-year teacher, what are you most excited about in your role, and what goals do you have for your students this year?
As a first year Gulliver teacher I am excited to bring my 24 years of teaching experience and knowledge of many different curriculums and teaching styles into my classroom. My goal this year is to help my students flourish in an environment that is developmentally appropriate, balanced, and engaging.
Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your first few weeks of teaching that has impacted you or your students?
During these first few weeks at Gulliver we have already made some great memories. I think my favorite so far was taking small groups of students outside of the classroom on a “Sound Walk” to explore the different sounds we could hear around our campus. Being able to take a small group outside of the classroom helped me to get to know my students better and see them shine in a different environment.
How do you incorporate creativity and play into your teaching style for young learners?
In our JK classroom, most of our learning is play based. When children are playing, you get the most authentic assessment of their knowledge. For example, in 15 minutes of sitting in the building area with my students, I see children measuring, patterning, counting, interacting with their classmates, using their imaginations, and many other skills. It is important for children to play, and as long as the play is rich and engaging, they will learn without even knowing it. We will embark on many different units of study this year. This week we will begin our Insect Study where the children will be exploring their environment to investigate insects, read about them, create their own insects, observe insects grow through their life cycles, and document everything they are learning. The children will guide their learning by sharing their interests and as their teacher I will try my best to create play based learning experiences to support them on this journey.
What values or lessons from your own education at Gulliver do you hope to instill in your students?
One thing that Gulliver taught me is that each person is an individual with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. I feel that it is most important to meet each student where they are at in their learning and support their growth in all areas where they may need support. This looks differently for each child. Some children will need support academically where others will need their social or emotional growth supported. I strive to support each student as an individual and to help them grow into well rounded learners.
Outside of the classroom, what are some of your interests or hobbies that you think might surprise your students and colleagues?
Outside of the classroom I spend most of my time with my family. I love to cook and try new recipes from all different cultures. My family has Greek heritage so I love cooking Greek food with my mother for family get-togethers. Some of my other hobbies are embroidery and cross-stitching. I find it relaxing to just sit and sew while watching a good TV show. I also like to play video games on my XBox. My favorite games are The Elder Scrolls. One more thing is that I love to learn about history and ancestry. I have traced my own ancestry and found that my relatives arrived in America in 1609.
Raider Rapid Fire!
Favorite ice cream flavor: PHISH Food by Ben and Jerry
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go: Ireland and Scotland
A movie you could watch over and over: Labyrinth or The Never Ending Story
Support Our Faculty:
Ariana inspires her young learners with a play-based approach that fosters creativity, exploration, and a love for learning. Drawing from her rich background as an alum and parent at Gulliver, she creates a nurturing environment where each child feels safe and valued. By contributing to The Gulliver Fund, you support dedicated educators like Ariana, ensuring they have the resources to empower our children. Join us in celebrating our faculty and enhancing our students’ educational experiences—click here to donate.
