Meet Erica Blanco
Erica is a regular contributor at MontessoriViews. She has been the lead author for several curricula that are currently available through ETC Montessori. The following is an interview so that our readers can find out more about Erica and her passion.
MV: Where are you located?
EB: I live in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey.
MV: Can you briefly walk us through your story - how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
EB: I graduated college with a BA in Communications and worked with several marketing and PR companies. I loved the creativity aspect but didn’t love what I was doing. Since I was a young girl, I had always talked about being a teacher, so I decided to go back to school. While working on my MAT in education, I applied for an assistant teacher position at Hamilton Park Montessori School. I will always be grateful to HPMS, Sue and Samantha for giving me a chance because if they hadn’t I might never have found Montessori! While working there, I fell in love and my whole life plan changed. I finished my Masters and was trained as a lower elementary teacher. With many other experiences and mentors along the way, I got to where I am today!
MV: Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? EB: No, of course not! There are always bumps along the path, but you learn a lot from those bumps and appreciate what you have gone through and what you have now. I learned that nothing is perfect or will ever be if you don’t work towards it in a productive manner. Communication can be a struggle if you’re not clear and concise.
MV: Tell us about you. What do you do what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as an individual? What sets you apart from others?
EB: I am most proud of my ability to create and produce unique lessons and materials. Many colleagues have asked where and how I made certain things and I love to help and inspire other teachers. I am probably most proud of my poetry curriculum, which is the first curriculum I have ever written. I love poetry and consider myself a poet of sorts so it is very special to me. If you know me than you know what sets me apart from others…haha! I see things in a different way…and I also collect animal bones!
MV: If you had to start over, what would you do differently?
EB: Honestly, had I known all the options available, I would probably be out working in castles as a historian or working with animals or plants. Since that did not happen, I am very glad that my path has led me to teaching. I get to be a historian, botanist, and zoologist all in one! I get to learn about different topics and pass on my knowledge to children. I get to watch them learn and grow, which is a true joy. One of my goals as a Montessori elementary teacher is show my students the world and all of their options.
MV: Please provide any contact information about you that you would like us to include and share with our readers. (Phone, email, social media)
EB: I can be reached via email at: eblanco7227@gmail.com
MV: Please send us some photos of yourself.
MV: What are some pictures that you feel best represent you.