Meet Rebecca and Jessica!

December 5, 2025
This fall, Parker welcomed two new, full-time classroom teachers into our community. Rebecca Rain joined our lower school as lead teacher in one of our 1-2 classrooms, and Jessica Sharron joined our upper elementary cohort as lead teacher in one of our 3-4 classrooms. Both Rebecca and Jess have fully immersed themselves in learning about Parker, embracing our culture and campus, and adapting to our particular model of progressive, project-based learning. Guided by their extensive educational experiences and veteran Parker colleagues, they have built nurturing classroom communities where students are inspired, productive, creative, and thriving.

Now that they’ve had time to settle into their routines and “homes”, we would like to take this opportunity to showcase both Rebecca and Jess to our Parker community. Please read on to learn more about each teacher, in their own words…

Rebecca Rain: Parker 1-2 Lead Teacher

Rebecca came to Parker after moving back to her childhood community of Niskayuna, NY last year. Prior to her move, Rebecca traveled the country, living in San Francisco, Florida, and Colorado. She spent most of her adult life in Rockland County, NY and northern New Jersey, where she raised her children. Rebecca now lives with her partner Carl and his two teenage sons. She is also the proud mother of two daughters, both in college. When she is not teaching, Rebecca enjoys yoga, nature walks, bike rides along the rail trail, swimming in Lake George, island hopping on Carl’s boat, and skiing (as long as it’s not too cold!)
Rebecca shares, “I was drawn to Parker because its values align closely with my own educational philosophy. As both a trained Waldorf teacher and a state-certified educator, I deeply appreciate the balance between academic rigor, social and emotional learning, connection with nature, and the power of imaginative play.”

Rebecca says she especially loves teaching first and second graders because they are capable and yet still wonderfully innocent: “They are developing essential foundational skills – for both academics and life – and I find great fulfillment in guiding them as they grow in confidence and independence, ready to “fly” into the upper grades and beyond.”

This fall, Rebecca’s class has been busy working in the school garden, preparing food in the Maker Space kitchen, and writing about their experiences. Some of their finished pieces are displayed in the hallway outside their classroom! Just before break, they completed a class book about greetings and gratitude, which they shared with their loved ones on Special Friends’ Day to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Rebecca reflects, “My hopes and dreams for this school year are to continue learning and growing so I can be the best teacher I can be, and to ensure that every child in my class has fun learning what it means to be human while developing the skills they’ll need for future success in school and in life. I love teaching at Parker because it’s a warm, supportive community where children are enthusiastic about learning. The same values that first drew me here continue to inspire me every day.”
Jessica Sharron: Parker 3-4 Lead Teacher

Jessica Sharron fell in love with education as an undergraduate at Siena when she participated in the college’s mentorship program. She eventually joined the leadership team for the program and, upon graduation, promptly began working on her M.A. in teaching at the University of Portland. As part of her program, Jess spent two school years teaching 4th and 5th graders in Fairbanks, Alaska. Jess shares that although it was hard work, she fell in love with teaching throughout those two years. Now she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she is not teaching, Jess enjoys spending time with her partner Tommy and their three cats, Biscotti, Socks, and Appa. She also enjoys reading and doing puzzles. 

Jess joined our community after four years of teaching 5th and 6th grade at the Taylor School in Troy. Jess shares, “When the Taylor School announced their closing, I was looking for a school that shared my favorite parts of the school: a small, meaningful community; a whole-child approach to learning; and a progressive education model. I quickly found Parker and reached out to inquire about openings for this school year. I left my first interview knowing that I could absolutely see myself here, and I kept my fingers crossed throughout the spring. When Jennifer offered me the 3-4 position, it was an easy YES!”

Jess shares that she appreciates Parker because, “I like that I am surrounded by like-minded people everyday who value education and children in the same way I do. It feels like everyone in the community has a united purpose in a deeper way than is typical at other schools.”
Currently in the classroom, Jess’s 3-4 students have just finished a novel study of Frindle by Andrew Clements, and they are now working on editing their personal narratives. Jess also just started introducing legends and myths, with a focus on oral storytelling traditions of indigenous peoples. After reading and analyzing lots of stories, students are going to write their own myths!

As for what she enjoys specifically about teaching upper elementary students, Jess says, “The end of elementary school and beginning of middle school has always been my favorite transition to join students on. During this period of their life, kids are just starting to figure out who they are, what is important to them, and where they fit into the world. It is an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of as a teacher because so much growth happens throughout these years.”