Dominic Gullo, PhD Professor and Former Lab Director

Dr. Dominic Gullo is a leading voice in the field of Early Childhood Education. He is the author of nine books, two early childhood curriculua, over 75 peer reviewed research-based publications and over 25 book chapters. He serves on numerous national boards and is a former member of the Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of young Children.

Dr. Mary Libby, Principal, The Chester A. Arthur School

Dr. Mary Libby is a deeply committed practitioner whose professional experience includes serving as a teacher, department and curricular lead, professional learning specialist, leadership coach, lecturer and researcher, and school/district leader. Since May of 2019, she has served as the principal of the Chester A. Arthur School in center city Philadelphia. As a student-centered, project-based learning environment where students positively impact their worlds through research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection, the Chester Arthur School is committed to equipping students with the habits, tools, and competencies necessary to achieve academic excellence and create a more just and equitable world through imaginative, innovative and engaged global citizenship.

Krissy Gutowski, MEd, Special Education

Krissy Gutowski is a kindergarten teacher in the North Penn School District of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Temple University with her B.S. in Early Childhood Education and her M.Ed. in Special Education. Krissy is also a 200 HR certified yoga instructor and has been teaching yoga for seven years. She is very passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness into the classroom in order to support students’ social and emotional well-being. She advises the lab as a practitioner partner to develop new pedagogy.

Traci Childress, MA, MEd, EdD Student and Graduate Research Assistant

Traci Childress, MA, MEd, is a student in Drexel University’s Ed.D program in Educational Leadership & Management. She is Executive Director of Saint Mary’s Nursery School in Philadelphia. She is co-founder of the Children’s Community School, was a cofounder of the Yoga Service Council, and is co-editor of the book Best Practices for Yoga in Schools. In her work, she seeks to develop processes for community reflection, inquiry, and empowerment that support positive growth for school communities. In her doctorate studies, she is exploring localized early learning leadership models and their impact on equitable and responsive learning environments for young children.