Courtney Dern

Hello! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a passionate advocate for young children. In fact, my entire professional life has focused on learning about and learning from children and their families. I have grown from a myriad of jobs in which I have worked with families from various socio-economic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds.

After studying developmental and family psychology in college, I served as a Fulbright scholar in Norway, a teaching resident at KIPP in DC, a Teach For America corps member, an educator at Google, and a founding teacher at an innovative, projects-based charter school in Oakland, California. Collectively, these experiences represent over a decade as a teacher in the field of early childhood education and provide me with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to help prepare parents for life with a young child.

I hold a Masters Degree in Education, a Reading Specialist Certificate, an active Teaching Credential, and a graduate certificate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health. Before launching Beech Street Parenting, I coached and trained Early Head Start Infant and Toddler teachers as well as Home Visitors. I am trained in RIE Foundations and am heavily influenced by Magda Gerber’s respectful approach to caregiving.

I am also a mom and am grateful to have a professional and personal connection to this important work.