Claire Rafala

Claire Rafala has been a cherished member of the Renbrook community since 2013, serving as Lead Kindergarten Teacher in the Beginning School. She earned her BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education from Suffolk College in the United Kingdom and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of East Anglia.

Claire’s teaching journey began in the United Kingdom, where she taught Kindergarten through Grade 5. She later served as a Lead Teacher in three-year-old classrooms in both Connecticut and the UK, broadening her perspective on early childhood education across cultures. In addition, she has worked as a guidance counselor and head counselor in Connecticut summer camps, including RSSA, strengthening her commitment to supporting the whole child.

Claire is deeply passionate about teaching Kindergarten, which she views as one of the most magical stages of childhood. She believes that nurturing social-emotional growth is essential and that children flourish when they feel safe, valued, and understood. In her classroom, she encourages curiosity, joy, and kindness while helping students develop empathy, resilience, and confidence. She is especially dedicated to fostering a love of reading, guiding children not only in learning how to read but in discovering the wonder of stories and ideas.

What Claire loves most about Renbrook is the sense of family and the opportunity to spark wonder every day. She values working alongside dedicated educators who care deeply for their students and one another.

Outside the classroom, Claire enjoys singing, reading, attending theater performances with her daughter, and spending time with friends. Born in England and becoming a United States citizen in 2019, she proudly embraces both parts of her journey. A fun fact about Claire is her affection for giraffes, especially their famously beautiful eyelashes.