​Teaching & Educational Work

I’m a creative educator with experience in early childhood classrooms, theater-based learning, and community-centered workshops. I draw on my psychology background to support emotional development, foster imagination, and create age-appropriate structure. Whether in a Pre-K classroom or a student-led workshop, I aim to meet learners with empathy, clarity, and care.
Jessica has a strong sense of classroom management and a natural ability to connect with children in ways that are both nurturing and empowering. She understands the importance of supporting not just the artistic development of her students, but their emotional and social growth as well.
​–Brooke Boertzel, Director of Education at McCarter Theatre Center
Jessica Lim's Teaching Experience
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Experience

Over the Rainbow Childcare
Assistant & Interim Lead Teacher
2020–2021
  • Taught ages 1–10, leading Pre-K and subbing K-classes
  • Brought mindfulness into the classroom with Breathe Like a Bear and emotional regulation tools
  • Partnered with families through behavior observation and compassionate communication

McCarter Theatre Center
Assistant Teaching Artist
2021–2023
  • Co-led after-school theater classes for ages 6–14, including neurodiverse students
  • Designed arts-based lessons focused on empathy, creativity, and SEL
  • Collaborated with teaching artists and school partners to support student growth
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ECAASU
National Board Member & Workshop Facilitator
2023–2025
  • Led AAPI mental health workshops blending storytelling, group care, and resource-sharing
  • Created safe spaces for emotional processing and identity exploration among college students

Cherry Creek School District
Early Education Substitute Paraprofessional
2025–Present
  • Supported lead teachers in early childhood classrooms, helping maintain safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment
  • ​Assisted with classroom transitions, social-emotional development, and individualized student needs using empathy-driven practices
  • Maintained daily records, attendance, and materials; supported communication with families and staff to ensure continuity of care

🎓 Education
B.A. in Psychology, Mental Health Concentration
Stockton University
2017–2021

✏️ Core Skills
Social-Emotional Learning · Mindfulness in the Classroom · Arts-Based Education
Classroom Management · Neurodiverse Support · Behavior Observation · Lesson Planning

Letters of Recommendation

McCarter Theatre Center
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ECAASU
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Picture
Names removed for confidentiality purposes

Personal Statement

I graduated in 2021 with a degree in Mental Health, Psychology.

My journey into education has never been a straight line, but it has always been filled with purpose! I’ve worked with children across various age groups, led arts-based workshops, and taught in Pre-K classrooms, where I witnessed the incredible way young children process the world. Their questions, emotions, and imaginations challenge me to meet them where they are, and that’s what I love most about early education.

Though I had to pause my full-time pursuit of a teaching career due to financial and personal circumstances, my passion never faded. I am ready to bring patience, creativity, and emotional attunement to a classroom full of children who are still figuring out how to name their feelings, ask big questions, or sound out their first words.

Every child deserves a classroom that feels safe, affirming, and full of wonder. Pre-K is not just a foundational academic stage, it is where kids begin learning how to navigate life. Supporting that process, helping them make sense of things in their own way, and watching their confidence bloom is the part of teaching I’ve always held closest.

I’m excited to step back into this work with deeper clarity and an even stronger commitment to helping children feel seen, supported, and capable.