Live Fun – Learn Fun – Do Good
About Us
About Me
I am Danielle Alaimo the founder and lead educator of Joy Factory Learning. I am a NYS certified teacher and Naval Aviation veteran who changed careers from aviation to education. I changed careers not because I no longer liked aviation, but rather to work more directly with people and make a larger impact. After about 15 years of teaching in schools I have now combined both of my passions by teaching aviation to kids (and adults) among other things and I’m so excited about that!
Motto
Live Fun Learn Fun Do Good
Life is short! Let’s maximize our fun in all areas of life AND Do Good for others!
Mission
To bring Joyful Learning experiences to people on Long Island
Joy Factory Learning was created out of a desire to bring joyful learning experiences to children in and out of the traditional classroom setting. It has since grown to include programming for people of all ages. It has been my experience that life is much more enjoyable when I act upon my childlike curiosities and decide to learn more about something that intrigues me. This could be like when I signed myself up for crochet lessons at 8 years old, or it could be the whittling I tried last winter, or even an active sport like when I took up stand-up paddleboarding at forty. When I follow my curiosity and learn, it always enriches my life in more ways than one. So, I decided to help other adults explore their curiosities as well with some adult classes in aviation, drones and artsy stuff! Afterall, it is all about spreading joy. We could all use a little more joy in life.
The Name
Joy Factory
It started as a typo for a popular teacher phrase “Joy Factor” and quickly caught my attention as a happy accident. I started calling my classroom the “Joy Factory” where we “manufacture joyful learning experiences” because making learning fun has always been a priority of mine. Then, after the pandemic, I knew I wanted to take my teaching on the road and provide a more authentic and joyful type of education for my students.
Our Approach
As a school teacher I was always looking for ways to take my students beyond the textbook and beyond the confines of the classroom walls. This is why I take a combined approach of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Place-Based Learning, which basically means that we get outside or on location to take on projects and/or solve problems that are important to us. A major tenet of PBL is that students have voice and choice in what they are working on which will amplify their success. Working at the location of our projects helps to reinforce much of what we are learning. For example, when learning about the difference between piston and jet engine aircraft at the airport, we can take a few steps to see and hear the difference in person. When we are learning about tides and beach erosion we can see the effects right before our eyes, at the beach.
The result when you combine these two approaches is that you have a group of students enjoying what they are learning because they chose it and care about it. The learning actually “sticks” because they are learning authentically about something they care about in a place that it really happens. Kids have fun and improve their academics in school as well! It’s a win-win.
