Camps, Preschool, Afterschool & More

Hi, I'm Nashima!

All about Nashima

What languages do you speak?

No

Tell us a little bit about yourself

As an educator for over 14 years, Nashima believes that all children should be provided the opportunity to learn at their own pace. She has a Bachelors Degree in Child Psychology and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership with New Jersey certifications in Supervisory, Pending Eligibility for Principal, standard Special Education Certification and Certification of Eligibility General Education.  ;  ;  Born and raised in New York, Nashima attended small independent non-traditional and traditional private schools in Brooklyn. Her experiences at these schools allowed her to not only express herself, but also think critically and deeply when exposed to new challenges within the world around her. ;  ;  A graduate of Rutgers University she has a Bachelors Degree in Child Psychology and a Masters of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. Nashima wanted to create an individualized hands-on learning experience for all learners big and small because true classrooms have no walls. Currently, is the founder of THE LITTLE GREEN HOUSE Educational Services,  LLC, THE LITTLE GREEN HOUSE School and a youth organization called, DREAM.CREATE.LIVE.  that helps children and young adults explore their dreams in order to create their reality.

What's your philosophy on what it means to be a great teacher?

A great teacher is one who is open to be taught. This teacher does not only teach but he or she educates as well. They are able to be patient enough to  listen and fairly communicate to their students and their families. This individual stimulates the minds of their students and guides their learning process. Not only do they guide their students, they understand that education is cyclical and never ending. A great teacher/educator is willing to admit what they do not know and will offer to educate themselves further in order to be knowledgable on a topic. In addition, a great teacher/educator is prepared to better their academic community by being actively involved in the communal process and advocating for student learning experiences. Lastly a great teacher/educator knows when they need a moment to rejuvenate their mind, body, and soul.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a teacher?

To educate students is a strong responsibility that you should not take lightly. Be sure you are ready to and have a strong support system because even though it is a rewarding job, it does require a lot from you and is not for everyone. Volunteer for a period of time and see if this is something you may be able to do then shadow a lead teacher and get your feet wet.

In your opinion, what is the role of the live teacher in a world where it is becoming increasingly easy to get access to information through the internet and online courses?

As educator who has taken classes online and in person and offered classes online and in person, I believe that a disconnect has and will continue to happen for those who participate in this. I grew up in a time where I had social interactions with my teachers and fellow students. We created bonds and friendships that have existed through the test of time. However, as I have take online courses or taught online tutoring classes, I have found that there was a disconnect. Our interactions were just words on a screen. I did not know the people behind the screen and therefore there was no attachment. Relationships were hardly created outside of the internet interaction. The experience was very isolating. If I personally had an opportunity to choose, I would chose a live teacher.

How can we, as teachers of children, work to build a society where people are respectful towards each other and the environment?

Creating a foundation of respect from the onset of education will show all involved with your process that you are serious about respect. Repetition, modeling, examples are all ways that children can receive this information from their teachers.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Gayle Bostic. She was my fourth grade teacher and she modeled what it was like to be an educated woman. She was well dressed every day and it helped me to be more cognizant of how to dress for success. She was my Michelle Obama-like mentor during the 80s.

What is your philosophy on and approach to behavioral management?

 All behavior is viewed as the child’s attempt to communicate. Proper communication is the key to understanding one another.The goal of  communicating "behavioral management" is to assist and guide children in the development of self-control. Children learn from what they see and experience. Modeling the behaviors we want to see inside and out of our educational surroundings and establishing ground roles are a great way to help build a foundation of structure and learning.  Therefore it is our goal as educators to identify what a child is trying to convey and guide them using positive reinforcers to help redirect less desirable behaviors and encourage the positive ones.  Establishing this foundation requires parents and educators to work together.

Do you have experience working with children with special needs?

Yes. I have been a special educator for over 14 years.

Credentials:

Special Education Standard Certification K-12, Certificate of Eligibility Elementary School General Education, Supervisory Certification, Pending Principal Certification

5 referencesNew Reference

Justine Volesko

Nashima is my daughter's reading tutor. Every session she brings interesting and engaging lessons that my daughter always look forward to. As a kid who never wanted to read out loud it is a quite a testament to Nashima that she now has the confidence and the desire to read at school with her peers and for pleasure. Nashima is warm and gentle, always personalizing my daughter's lesson to keep her interested. She has unique ideas that make learning fun. She takes the time and care to send summary emails about the success of each lesson and what will be worked on next. She is organized and punctual and always has a huge smile on her face. She is a joyful woman who obviously loves teaching and adores children. She is generous with her time and her affection. We have been truly blessed to have her as a teacher in our lives.

Tomoko Hasegawa Cummings

Nashima is enthusiastic about everything related to education. She treats children with a broad mind and always educates from the perspective of the children. Her attitude alone helps to inspire others to want to learn. Even I get inspired and find that I'm learning as well. I find this to be a very attractive quality in a teacher. I was born and raised in Japan. English is not my first language but I try hard to understand. Nashima respects that and is very patient with me. Nashima is a good person in general. She has a kind heart and creative mind. I see how she is with her own daughter and how her daughter responds to her. Nashima, I feel, shares that same kind of love for her students as she does for her own children. This is why I trust Nashima with my daughter.

Jennifer Iranette

Nashima is one of those rare teachers that was born to lead in education. Her understanding of child development and effortless applications of pedagogy are unmatched. She is a natural educator, empathetic leader and has a child and community focus. I deeply admire her ethics and effectiveness.

Farrah Hamlett

Nashima Harvey is the epitome of excellence. Her wisdom and awesome teaching strategies constantly wow me. She's a gentle and nurturing educator who works with each child as if they are her own children. A true professional with a heart of gold!

Smith Tatiana

I've had the pleasure of working with Nashima since the fall of 2016. She is a dynamic educator with a wealth of knowledge in the field. Her passion not only brought an infusion to my organization but provided much needed feedback and suggestions on making our educational experiences better.