Angie Florence

Preschool Teacher Angie Florence brings a warm, experienced, and deeply child-centered approach to her work at Virginia Chance School.

 

Angie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and began her work with children nearly 20 years ago in the Chicagoland area, where she taught a variety of children’s classes throughout the community. She later became a Certified Yoga Instructor specializing in children’s yoga, an experience that deepened her understanding of movement, mindfulness, body awareness, and whole-child development.

 

Angie began working at Virginia Chance School in 2013 and has served the community in many meaningful ways. Her roles have included Preschool Teacher in both the 2s and 3s programs, Yoga Specialist, teacher assistant, enrichment leader, hula hoop instructor, and summer camp counselor. Through these experiences, Angie has developed a deep understanding of Chance’s early childhood program, progressive philosophy, and commitment to helping young children grow through inquiry, exploration, relationships, and play.

 

In the classroom, Angie is known for her calm, welcoming presence and her ability to help children feel safe, seen, and ready to engage. She understands that young children learn best when they are supported by strong relationships, thoughtful routines, and meaningful opportunities to explore. Angie works to create a classroom environment where children feel confident asking questions, trying new ideas, building friendships, and taking pride in their growth.

 

Angie believes young children are capable thinkers with important ideas, questions, and theories about the world. She values inquiry-based learning because it invites children to wonder, investigate, make choices, solve problems, and build understanding through hands-on experiences. Angie and her teaching team use children’s interests and observations to help shape learning, creating opportunities for students to explore ideas deeply and make connections across their classroom, community, and outdoor campus.

 

Her approach supports both joyful engagement and strong early academic foundations. Through open-ended materials, purposeful play, outdoor exploration, storytelling, art, movement, and conversation, Angie helps students build critical thinking, communication, creativity, independence, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills. She believes children develop confidence when they are encouraged to ask questions, explain their thinking, collaborate with peers, and return to ideas over time.

 

Angie’s teaching philosophy aligns closely with Chance’s belief that play is meaningful work for young children. She sees play as the way children practice leadership, negotiate ideas, strengthen language, build empathy, and make sense of the world around them. Her classroom is warm and nurturing, while also giving children the encouragement and structure they need to stretch their thinking, try new strategies, and grow as curious, capable learners.

 

Angie is also drawn to the way Chance honors the whole child. Her background in psychology and children’s yoga supports her ability to notice children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development and to create a classroom experience that supports all of those areas together. She believes young children thrive when they are given warmth, structure, time, space, and meaningful opportunities to explore at their own pace.

 

Angie’s connection to Chance is also personal. Her son, Will, attended Virginia Chance School, and Angie has long valued the school’s approach as both an educator and a parent. She believes deeply in the community, the campus, and the thoughtful way Chance supports children’s growth.

 

Outside of school, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, their son, Will, and their two dogs, Teddy and Gary. Together, they enjoy camping, hiking, music, gardening, and traveling to see new places. Angie is grateful to continue being part of the Virginia Chance School community and to support young children as they grow into curious, confident, and capable learners.