Lyndsey Popham
Kindergarten & Primary 1 Teacher
I have a Master in Elementary Education K-5 and a Bachelor of Science in Human and Health Promotion/Exercise Science from the University of Louisville. I have been teaching Elementary at Virginia Chance School for eight years, where I currently teach with an inspiring team of teachers at the kindergarten and first-grade level. I have taught intermediate 4th and 5th-grade students and preschool for a total of 12 years at Chance School.
I feel blessed that I can teach at a school that promotes a progressive approach and implements and believes in a researched-based practice that is appropriate for all children. As a believer in progressive education, I appreciate the support I receive from VCS administrators and the ongoing PD opportunities I have each year and take advantage of the most current resources available to support my teaching in the classroom.
As part of our learning environment, I love that we allow time and space for self-directed learning and inquiry throughout the day, where young learners share their thinking and exercise their voice. Observing, listening, questioning, and looking at student work helps guide our instruction and experiences in meaningful and purposeful ways. Our school also honors play as part of learning. Research tells us how play allows children to practice prosocial behaviors, ignite their imagination and creativity, explore the world around them, and engage in reasoning. I (along with my K/1 team) had the opportunity to help author a chapter in an educational resource called The Curious Classroom, by Harvey “Smokey” Daniels that shares how we value play at our school. ahttps://www.chanceschool.org/apps/pages/Soft-Start
Virginia Chance School is a uniquely engaging school for children. It is also an inspiring place for educators to continue to grow and refine their practice in an environment that is current and honors what is developmentally appropriate for children. I feel grateful to be a part of this remarkable school.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, playing games, enjoying new restaurants, and traveling as much as I can. Being a parent of two elementary children, I enjoy incorporating activities that we do together into my lessons and classroom. At home, we experiment with making slime, participating in Lego challenges, and exploring the outdoors. Being a mom has made me a confident, caring, understanding, patient, and all-around better teacher!