In early childhood education, we often talk about the importance of creating stable, nurturing environments for young children. But what about the families who entrust us with their most precious ones? How do we, as educators, support families through the inevitable transitions that life brings? These transitions—whether moving to a new home, adjusting to a […]
Mary Kandilian
Mary Kandilian is the creator of the nature-based Luminara Atelier curriculum and the 2024 ELEA Distinguished Educational Leader of the Year. A believer that learning should feel rooted, luminous, and alive, she has served as Director of Bethlehem School since 2015, cultivating spaces where children and educators thrive together. Mary began her career as a preschool teacher, later teaching in GUSD and supporting whole-child development across social, emotional, and academic domains. She has also shaped future educators as Associate Director of the School of Education and Adjunct Professor at Pacific Oaks College. Her work centers on family partnership, thoughtful pedagogy, and nature-inspired learning that honors the full humanity of every child.