Hannah McKenzie (she/her)
I am a mom of two great kids, ages 11 and 7. I’ve stayed home full-time since December 2012 focused on my family, caring for children of friends, and in more recent years child-led secular homeschooling.
I have an architecture degree from NCSU which informs my approach to fostering creativity, problem-solving and self-directed learning with children.
Connection is my guiding principle for discipline. Helping children compromise, identify their emotions and finding healthy ways to express them. Dr. Becky Kennedy is a guiding force.
In my free time, when my nose isn’t buried in a book, I am hiking, cooking or and co-coordinating Friends of Athens Drive Community Library.
Amy Hambright (she/her)
I am the mom to two amazing kids, ages 8 and 11. I’ve enjoyed working with kids my whole life! I’ve volunteered at Briarcliff Elementary in Cary for the past five years, working directly with kids and with the PTA. Prior to the pandemic, I taught preschool for two years at Macedonia United Methodist Church (MUMC), which was a play-based Reggio-inspired preschool, in the 4 years olds class. I was homeschooled kindergarten-12th grade and I appreciate the varying experiences of different schooling options.
Connection and curiosity are my guiding principles when it comes to teaching. I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from some amazing teachers and parents through MUMC and my parenting book club/support group and I’m so grateful for their influence in creating loving, attuned relationships with students and my own children.
In my free time, I love to read, spend time outdoors, and with my family. I also love to learn and am currently taking classes part time at Wake Tech.
When four or more children are enrolled in Back Porch Playgroup, Hannah and I will work as a team caring for children.