EC

Welcome to Early Childhood!

ASFG’s early childhood program studies how children grow and understand the world in order to offer a learning environment that both nurtures and challenges our young students. Our educational philosophy is based in social constructivism and influenced by the preschools of Reggio Emilia in Italy, a world-renowned center of excellence in early childhood education.

Students in nursery, pre-kinder, and kindergarten are encouraged to form  ideas, build strong friendships, and express themselves through many different media. Early childhood teachers support students in exploring materials, discovering interests, negotiating needs with friends, and carrying out group projects. Through play and teacher directed lessons, children take an active role in their own learning. 

Early childhood students leave our program knowing that the school values their ideas and possessing a positive attitude toward learning.

Principal's Message

My name is Tina Carstensen.  I grew up in  Rochester, New York and after completing an undergraduate degree in Education at Goddard College in Vermont, moved to New York City where I taught in public preschool while completing a master’s degree in education. I dreamed of becoming a bilingual teacher and so looked for a teaching position in Mexico where I hoped to learn Spanish.  Mr. Argenciano, the director general at the time, offered me a job as a pre-kinder teacher in 1989 and I moved to Guadalajara to work at ASFG where I’ve had the privilege to teach in early childhood and elementary and then grow into the administrative position of early childhood principal which I have held since 1999. 

I enjoy studying child development and education and have earned a second master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Framingham State University and a degree in preschool education through CENEVAL, Mexico. More important to me than my formal studies, however, is what I learn everyday from working alongside my administrative colleagues, the dedicated and passionate faculty in early childhood, and our students and families.  

I am proud to be part of ASFG's community of learners and grateful to work with students, families, and faculty who view education as a way to better our world. Together we provide our school’s youngest students with an education that values curiosity and inspires a love of learning. 

Tina Carstensen