Tammy Rusnuk

Tammy has worked with children and families for over 30 years from social worker, Kindergarten teacher, preschool educator, outdoor learning advocate, and parent educator. Her passions in early childhood education include continuity of care, outdoor environments, music, and project approach extended learning. While caring for humans 9 hours a day, Tammy feels it is important for curriculum to be child led and the environment be engaging but homelike. Childcare providers should be partners with family to promote the best child development. 

As a mentor teacher, Tammy is passionate about training and inspiring the next generation of educators. When working with people she believes it is so important to meet challenges with a person's strengths. 

Outside of the Bennett Center Tammy lives with her husband of 25+years, Don and their two large dogs, Ecco & Monty. Her family is a Penn State proud group as she and her husband are both Alumni, and their daughter, Sarah is here getting a degree in Kinesiology. After living in Southern California for 23 years, it is so good to be back near family and old friends where the seasons change, and the bells of Old Main can be heard every day. It is an honor to work for Penn State.