Erica Thompson is a certified Early Childhood professional with almost forty years' experience in private and public schools, teaching children ages three through eight.
Erica has a BS in Performing Arts Education from Johnson State College in Vermont. Ms. Thompson studied theatre at The Neighborhood Playhouse and HB Studios in NYC, and has acted professionally in New York and Philadelphia. She has taught acting classes and directed productions for children in Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Vermont, and here in Portland at A Company of Girls and the Children's Theatre of Maine for three years. Recently, Erica has been performing with the Freeport Players.
Her teaching career began in 1970, in New York City, in a Montessori classroom at The Dalton School. While teaching Kindergarten in Newfane, Vermont, Erica opened Timson Hill Preschool which continues to operate to date.
In 1998, while teaching first/second grade multi-aged class in Newfane, Vermont, Ms. Thompson founded West Street Arts - a Center for the Arts for both children and adults - which utilized Erica's professional acting and directing skills and brought together local artists, dancers, and performers in an educational setting. Erica directed The West Street Players, a troupe of young actors, in full scale productions.
In the span of her teaching career, Erica has experienced Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and traditional classroom settings. She has taken what appeals to her from each style and philosophy and kept whatever works for the children.