Sarah Lawrence College

Kimberly Turnbull, ’04, MSEd ’08

Master’s & Dual Degrees
MS Education Alumni
Alumni Nola Glatzel, ’12, MSEd 13 Malik Torres, ’21, MSEd ’22 Kimberly Turnbull, ’04, MSEd ’08
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”The Sarah Lawrence community is uniquely intimate, and the connections have been strong and lasting.”
Eight years after graduating from the Art of Teaching Program, Kimberly Turnbull ‘04, MSED ‘09 founded the Brooklyn Schoolhouse in Clinton Hill. Every aspect of the preschool has her mark on it - from the Reggio-Emilia-inspired curriculum to the cloud-covered wallpaper beneath the indoor play loft. Kimberly says, “I entered this program to become a teacher, and through my experience in the program a new goal came into being; to start a new progressive school one day.” Today, the Brooklyn Schoolhouse and its students are thriving because of what Kimberly began imagining as a graduate student at SLC.
Person smiling while sitting on outdoor steps, with light hair and gold earrings.

Why did you decide to pursue your MS in Education at Sarah Lawrence?

The Art of Teaching program’s child-centered approach to education became a core principle of my personal philosophy of education. To base the curriculum on the children’s interests is innately respectful of children, and when children learn through their play in this way and through projects they are inspired to do, they naturally learn how to learn and to love learning.

What was your Oral Thesis about and why did you choose this topic?

My professors guided me in my Oral Thesis work, which focused on exploring what is possible in childhood education. I wanted to know how creative we can be in creating possibilities for meaningful learning for children. As research for my thesis, I would spend a day observing at as many different kinds of progressive schools as I could. I visited Waldorf schools, Montessori schools, Reggio-Emilia inspired schools, Open Classroom schools, and other unique progressive schools such as Manhattan Country School and City & Country School in New York City, and Hayground School on Long Island. I did this research while at the same time I was an Assistant Teacher at the Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center, as well as doing fieldwork at CPE 1, a New York City public school.

Is there a course or fieldwork placement that particularly influenced you?

In my Art of Teaching coursework, and in my student teaching placements and fieldwork, I learned just how much there is a need for new, innovative, and thoughtful things to happen in the field of education, and more specifically, in schools for children. I became passionate about progressive education and felt acutely aware of the desperate need for real thoughtfulness and innovation in schools. This was the fuel that later took me through the arduous process of starting a school in New York City.

What are some of the connection points available to alumni of the program?

The Sarah Lawrence community is uniquely intimate, and the connections have been strong and lasting. Over time, the Art of Teaching program has remained a close connection for me professionally and a strong source for career networking and placement. My advice to prospective students is to begin your journey here and see what unfolds for you.

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