Ms. Diamond began her teaching career after graduating from Cabrini College in 2007 and has been with Belmont Charter Network since 2009. Since that time she has taught grades from Pre-K through 8th grade, but has spent the better part of her teaching career working with Pre-K students. Currently she teaches at Belmont Academy Charter School in a split age group class, where she loops with her students for Pre-K 3 and 4.
Questions With Ms. Diamond
When did you join Belmont Charter Network?
2009
Where did you go to school? What was your major/degree?
I attended Cabrini College for my undergrad degree in Early and Elementary Education. I then received my Masters of ED with a concentration in Reading at Arcadia University.
How did you know that education was the right field for you?
I come from a long line of teachers, so pursuing a degree in education just came naturally to me.
What drew you to Belmont’s mission?
Belmont’s mission states “we believe every child has their own pathway”. This statement hits at the center of why I became a teacher. My job is not to teach facts, it is instead to facilitate learning, which in turns allows students to understand how they learn, what they are passionate about, and ultimately leads them to questions they seek to find the answers to.
What makes your school a special place/what do you like best about teaching here?
The teachers, staff, and families make Belmont Academy Charter School a great place to teach. I work with dedicated teachers who put forth their best efforts every day for their students, and their fellow teachers. Our school staff makes sure that teachers and students have access to all things required to make our days successful, including clean rooms, classroom materials, curriculum, and field trips. Lastly our school would not be complete without the families that entrust my colleagues and me to educate and nurture their young children.
What’s your favorite school memory at Belmont Charter Network?
I really enjoy the student fun days. My favorite is Fancy Day where staff and students dress up in fancy clothing and have a tea party with their class.
How do you create joy in the classroom?
I create joy in my classroom by allowing the students to pursue what they are passionate about and incorporating it into our learning. I let the students lead me and we have so much fun exploring together.
What is the greatest challenge you face as a teacher and how do you overcome it?
My greatest challenge is never having enough time to explore every concept the students are interested in.
What is one piece of advice you would give to Belmont students?
The advice I would give to all Belmont students is to make sure that they love themselves, and to make sure they understand how much they are worth in this world.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?
I love experiencing how diverse our city is, so I try to attend as many city festivals as I can.
When you were your students’ age, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 4 and 5 years old I think I wanted to be a race car driver.