Who We Are

Lisa Wright, Ed.D. serves as the director of The Hollingworth Center, a program within the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. Under Dr. Wright’s leadership of 28 years, the Center develops model programs and offers enriched educational services for graduate students, educators, and children. Dr. Wright is also on the faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, teaches graduate courses, supervises student teachers, and co-directs an annual summer institute for teachers and administrators on responsive curriculum and pedagogy. Lisa holds a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Theater from New York University and a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. Lisa taught in private and public schools at the elementary and secondary levels prior to coming to TC. She has published a variety of articles for peer review journals and has received two Paper of the Year awards (with James Borland, Ph.D.) from the National Association for Gifted Children. Lisa presents nationally and consults with formal and informal education institutions across the United States and internationally. Her research interests include responsive differentiated curriculum design, the development of pre-service teachers in the field of early science education, LGBTQ children’s literature, and the play of children as they “tikkun olam” (repair the world). Lisa’s critical stance is embedded in a social justice perspective and access and equity for all children as they grow their potentials. Lisa’s greatest professional joy is collaborating with her graduate students and she is, and always has been, most at home in the classroom.

Jacquelyn serves as Director of Enrichment Services at The Hollingworth Center. Under her supervision, Hollingworth Science Camp provides innovative science-based education to hundreds of elementary school children every year. In keeping with the Center’s dual mission to provide educational enrichment to both children and educators, Jacquelyn provides teacher education and training for our science camp teachers. Under her direction, the Center partnered with the Huilo Huilo Foundation in Chile and held a science camp in Neltume, Chile in 2015 and 2016, serving local children and educators from the Patagonia region surrounding the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve. In January of 2017, the Center collaborated with the Chilean government in executing their yearly summer camp for teachers. Jacquelyn and two Chilean Hollingworth Fellows presented six workshops to 120 Chilean elementary school teachers on the pedagogy of teaching science to young children. Jacquelyn has also presented on using culturally relevant pedagogy to teach science at the Reimagining Education: Teaching and Learning in Racially Diverse Schools Institute held at Teachers College every July. Prior to coming to Teachers College, Jacquelyn taught in a Title I elementary school in Los Angeles, California, working with English language learners in both Spanish and English. As the science curriculum coordinator for grades K through 5, she implemented inquiry-based science curriculum and provided professional development for teachers. Concurrently, Jacquelyn completed a Master’s Degree in Education Foundations and Theory from California State University, Los Angeles. Jacquelyn completed her PhD in the Sociology and Education program at Teachers College in 2018 and continues to present her research on second generation Dominican high school students at various conferences.

Alison earned her Master’s in Elementary Education from Teachers College in 2006 and went on to teach for seven years in public and independent schools in New York City. She also taught for eight summers here at Hollingworth Science Camp. After starting a family, Alison took time at home to care for her twins, but she couldn't stay away from Hollingworth for long! She returned to camp in 2015 and revels in the opportunity to work with each of the topics that campers explore in the Science Camp curriculum. She also enjoys reading, swimming, biking, and spending countless hours at the playground with her little ones. Alison is looking forward to another summer full of exploration with our young scientists!

An alum of both the Hollingworth Preschool and Hollingworth Science Camp, Nina completed her undergraduate studies at Clark University in studio art and graphic design. Nina joined Hollingworth Science Camp as an assistant art teacher where she encouraged children's understanding of scientific phenomenon through the visual arts for five summers. Currently Nina is the Coordinator of Special Projects at Hollingworth, supporting our programs with her expertise in graphic design, research, teaching, and the visual arts. She continues to build and maintain Hollingworth’s visual identity, which is now present in every aspect of the program, from our website to our t-shirts to our classroom materials. In addition to her many Center-wide responsibilities, Nina also works with art and educational institutions as an independent freelancer. She finds time for her personal practice as well, creating art and photography surrounding themes of body, sense of self, the natural world, and intersectional feminism. A native New Yorker from a multi-generation family of artists, Nina can be found exploring the nooks and crannies of her city, delving into the wonderful world of sci-fi and fantasy and of course, enjoying the company of her turtle, Trevor.