Her Story
About Maureen
Maureen McGuckin serves as a pre-K literacy coach for The Reading Team, a nonprofit, supporting children in lower-income schools in Harlem, New York City, a role she has held for two years. Prior to this, she was the head teacher and assistant early childhood director at the Art Farm in New York City and has since semi-retired from that position. McGuckin leads a ministry at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City, where she has been a member for over 40 years, and she volunteers by crocheting hats, scarves, mittens, lap afghans, and other items for the homeless through Crossroads, babies and hospice patients at Jamaica Hospital, and mariners via the Siemens Institute's Christmas at Sea project. She attributes her professional drive to her deep love for children, noting that she raised four children who attended excellent schools and now have successful careers, and she aims to extend similar opportunities to others through her work. McGuckin advises aspiring educators to genuinely love children, exercise patience, compassion, and nurturing, and to make learning fun, emphasizing that play is especially vital for young children.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maureen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I love children. I have 4 amazing children that fortunately we got to send them to very good preschool, elementary, middle, high school, colleges, and they're all have successful careers. All children should have that opportunity. I'm giving back in what I'm doing now because all the things that I'm doing I did with my kids at home too.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You gotta really really love children and you have to have so much patience and compassion and you have to be very nurturing. If you're not that personality teaching isn't for you. You gotta make it fun and for young children play is very important.
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