Testimonials for Jodi Wert
Teachers
Jodi taught me to see children as co-creators of learning — not just participants. Through visual documentation, I’ve learned to notice what’s unfolding from their perspectives: how they see, move, and learn together. This awareness has shifted my role — from directing outcomes to partnering in discovery. Now, I follow their lead and design ways to support and stretch their thinking, honoring the learning that’s already alive.
— Alicia Ortega Cruz, Preschool Teacher, Randolph County NC
Jodi helped me see the power of documenting children while they’re engaged — quietly capturing moments without disrupting their play. When children revisit these images, they reconnect with the experience and often expand on it. Documentation also gives families a window into the classroom. Some may not see play as learning — but photos and videos reveal that through play, children build trust, communicate, take initiative, and collaborate. These skills shape them.
— Jennifer Miller, Preschool Teacher, Randolph County NC
Working with Jodi made me a stronger teacher — more thoughtful, confident, and creative. She shared practical ways to use photos and videos to guide lesson planning that meets children where they are — and invites them to help shape what comes next. Her insights helped me see how even simple documented moments can spark powerful learning stories that grow over time. These are skills I’ll carry with me always.
— Jasmine Cradle, Preschool Teacher, Durham County NC
As childcare professionals, it's easy to get caught up in the busyness of tasks — but Jodi reminds us of what truly matters: connecting with children in ways that let their imaginations flow and their voices be heard. She’s taught us so much about documentation and organization, and through her guidance, we’ve seen our skills sharpen and our impact grow. Our work shapes lives — and that’s the core of what we do.
— Alejandra Cruz, Preschool Teacher, Randolph County NC
Since 2006, I’ve taught at Singapore American School and had the privilege of working with Jodi Wert in the Early Learning Center. One of her greatest strengths is her belief in the power of stories to shape understanding. As Documentation Team Lead, she used visual documentation to help children, families, and educators co-create meaningful narratives. Her exceptional listening and ability to connect ideas across perspectives made those stories even more impactful for our learning community.
— Laura C Schuster, Early Childhood Expressive Arts Teacher & Former Colleague, Singapore American School
Parents
Jodi was my youngest daughter’s teacher during a very difficult year of transition for my family. We have four children and have been in multiple schools in multiple countries over the last decade and I can confidently say that Jodi was the most profoundly influential educator we have ever worked with. Our whole family grew through our experience with her and she is sorely missed in our lives. I would recommend her unconditionally for any role in which human beings are involved... she is one of a kind.
— Bunty Bohra, Student Parent at Singapore American School, Former Partner at Goldman Sachs
In preschool (2016-2017) our son had speech, sensory, and gross motor planning needs. Jodi fostered his unique learning pathway by embracing his interests and creating truly authentic shared learning moments with his peers, teachers, and family. Furthermore, she was able to capture and showcase his learning through photos, videos, and written interpretation. This allowed my family to better connect at home, as well as focus on building our son’s specific speech, sensory, and gross motor skills. He no longer has needs in those areas. I will look back on my son’s time with Jodi and know that his life was positively changed forever.
— Shane Fitts, Student Parent at Singapore American School, IB High School Teacher and Coach
Ms. Jodi was the first formal teacher for my daughters at Singapore American School. She was instrumental in helping them get settled into a new environment, and went above and beyond to liaise with colleagues to try new ways of helping children assimilate concepts as they began to explore the vast knowledge base at school.
— Tanavpreet Longia, Student Parent at Singapore American School, Global Head Deutsche Bank
During 2016-17 I had the opportunity to connect with Jodi both as a colleague and as parent of one of her students at Singapore American School. As a colleague Jodi is a joy to work with and always made time if we needed to grab some photos, video, or information to share with our community as a whole. As a parent I loved having Jodi as our daughter's preschool teacher. Our daughter felt cared for and known as an individual. I see my daughter's personality and character at home but it is really something special when a teacher like Jodi takes time to do the same at school. Jodi is a phenomenal teacher with an outstanding emotional intelligence that both students and parents appreciate.
— Kyle Aldous, Student Parent and Director of Communications at Singapore American School
Jodi was our son's teacher at Singapore American School. A keen practitioner of the Reggio Emilia philosophy of child-led learning and discovery, Jodi's had a positive impact on Zach and he's grown tremendously under her guidance. My wife and I are very pleased to recommend Jodi.
— Eddy Abraham, Student Parent at Singapore American School, VP Fullerton Financial Holdings
School & Community Leaders
Jodi lifts us up in our day-to-day work — showing us what we do well and where we can grow. She’s calm, patient, and listens deeply. Her actions teach just as much as her words. Working with her inspires me to better support my own staff. In her classes, there’s never a dull moment — she uses videos, photos, and stories from our own lives, helping us see ourselves in the possibilities.
— Holly Andrea Price, Child Care Center Owner and Director, Randolph County NC
Since 2019, Jodi has been a dynamic partner in our county-wide work to elevate early educators. Through documentation and storytelling, she surfaces teachers’ strengths and passions — building their confidence as learners and leaders. She’s taught teams to use smartphones and cameras to better understand children’s experiences, and to design co-created curriculum with children, families, and colleagues. She’s also played a key role in guiding school directors toward actions that truly support their programs.
— Andee Edelson, Director of Early Care and Education, Randolph County NC
Jodi’s style is that of a coach and facilitator — she doesn’t deliver content as the “expert,” but guides others to discover their own expertise. She spends time in real learning environments, capturing photos, videos, and stories that spotlight children and teachers as co-leaders of learning. Her use of these authentic examples models early learning in action. During the pandemic, she skillfully adapted this relational, reflective approach to virtual spaces — continuing to foster connection and collaboration.
— Nicole McCaskill, Early Childhood Community Learning Coordinator, Guilford County NC
Jodi was one of parents’ favorite speakers at our international virtual conference in 2021. She brought fresh insight about Sensory-based Inquiry and Visual Documentation at home. Conference participants were really enthusiastic for her session and were able to apply what they learned immediately. Jodi definitely nailed it!
— Alfona Kang, CEO, Mamaguru Co-Teaching Network
Jodi brings out the best in people. She presented with L&D expertise and emotional acuity to help us understand our individual and team strengths in life-giving ways that will help our organization thrive and, moreover, better serve kids in crisis through equine therapy.
— Elizabeth Love Kennon, Equine Manager, Hope Reins
Jodi’s expertise on the positive neurobiological effects of sensory play and visual documentation contributed powerfully to our national conference on Trauma Sensitive Schools in 2022. The attendees loved her session and are excited to use what they learned in direct and practical ways. Her knowledge and attuned calmness and presence make her an excellent facilitator. We would absolutely invite her to speak again.
— Ginger Healy, Parent Program Director, LCSW, Attachment & Trauma Network
In 2016–2017, Jodi joined a professional development cohort at Singapore American School for Strengths Communicator Training with Leadership Vision. The goal was to spark community conversations about what’s best in people — using the language of strengths to build interactions that help others thrive. Jodi brought emotional intelligence to the table and seamlessly wove strengths-based practices into her work with children, families, and colleagues. Her insights helped shape and strengthen our program delivery.
— Dr. Linda Schubring, VP & Principal Consultant, Leadership Vision
I have known Jodi since 2006, and have watched her grow from a teacher of toddlers exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach® to an early childhood specialist. Jodi is compassionate, perceptive, and relatable - all of which make her perfect for the role of facilitating genuine learning and wellness among teachers, children, and families.
— Monica Brinkerhoff, VP Early Childhood, United Way of Tucson & Southern Arizona
Health Practitioners
At the 2019 Home Visiting Summit hosted by Smart Start, Jodi led a session on family engagement that left a lasting impression. She shared her deep knowledge with care and prioritized real voices — using video interviews with families to highlight what they value during home visits. These first-hand stories deepened our understanding and improved our practice.
— Agatha Schutte, Family Partner, Center for Child & Family Health, Durham NC
I have had the privilege of partnering with Jodi in providing integrated care for children and youth experiencing a range of complex health and social difficulties. She brings to bear substantial expertise in child health and well-being, an indomitable passion for the thriving of all children, and an infectious energy and collaborative spirit that make her an ideal partner. She has had a substantial impact on the lives of so many children and families in our community.
— Dr. Richard Chung, Director of Adolescent Medicine, Duke Health, Durham NC
During the height of COVID, I joined a Community of Practice led by Jodi that was both uplifting and supportive. She created a spacious framework for us to explore childhood learning together — drawing on diverse perspectives and sparking personal growth. It reminded me that all environments, including hospitals where I work with children and families, can be playful and full of possibility.
— Patty Atkins, Integrative Touch Therapist, Pediatric Integrative Medicine, Tucson AZ
Jodi is knowledgeable, approachable, and genuine. She lives out this commitment to the children and families in her community by showing up regardless. She looks not only at what is in front of her, but also to what could be.
— Micah Sedillos, Child Life Specialist and Resilience Educator, Raleigh, NC