Kathleen Puciato, M.S. Ed.

Early Childhood Department
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood

My Philosophy

I believe that learning is a complex and unique process for individual learners. The teacher’s role is to facilitate this process by understanding how to employ a variety of methods and strategies that meet the needs of all learners. Students need to actively engage in their learning by demonstrating a commitment to the dispositions and attitudes that play an important part of the learning process.

My Passion for Ducks & Sadie, My Pembroke Welsh Corgi

I raise Pekin ducks from hatchlings ordered through Agway. Did you know that baby ducklings have a language of their own that goes through developmental stages much like infants? On day one they make a single “peep.” On day three the single “peep” becomes “peep, peep.” By the end of a week their peeping becomes more sophisticated with different pitches such as “peep, peep, peep!”

As the ducks mature they use sounds from their throats to communicate such as when they are grazing and find good bugs. Sadie, our family dog, is a Pembroke Welch Corgi and she is in charge of the ducks. Corgis are natural herders and she makes sure they all stay together. The ducks are used to her and will actually swim over to her when she is near the shore of our pond. When the ducks come onto land she is ready to herd them over to where they are fed.