Strong Foundations Team

Erin O'Connor

Director of New York University's Early Childhood Education Program, Erin is a tenured professor and holds a Doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Masters in Teaching from Fordham University, and a Masters in School Psychology from Columbia University. Erin teaches human development and education classes to pre- and in-service teachers in New York City schools. She also co-directs a community partnership working with families and caregivers.

In addition, Erin leads a research program examining relationships with mothers and teachers and the impacts of these relationships on children's development in early and middle childhood. She also conducts randomized control trials of relationship-building interventions on the language and social development of pre-kindergarten children from low-income families and neighborhoods.

co-founder

Robin Neuhaus

co-founder

Robin is a co-founder of Scientific Mommy and is a doctoral candidate in Early Childhood Education at New York University. She studies children's relationships with their preschool teachers and parents and how those relationships relate to anxiety.

Before coming to NYU, Robin worked in preschools and elementary schools in Madrid, Copenhagen, St. Louis, and New York City. Those experiences connecting with children and teachers in the classroom and seeing theory come to life cemented her fascination with child development. Robin also worked with teams of researchers studying attachment theory and child anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center, Washington University in St. Louis, and Copenhagen University.

Kelsey Hynes

child session leader

Hello! My name is Ms. Kelsey and I am so excited to be working with you and your family.

I received my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education from the Technological University of Dublin. Over the past 5 years I have worked in Early Childhood services in Ireland, Germany and the United States broadening my practice to provide rich and meaningful experiences to the children I work with. I most recently worked as a curriculum specialist in New York City, assisting PreK teachers to create optimal learning environments for their students. I am currently completing my masters degree in Educational Studies (Early Childhood Education) at Marino Institute of Education in Dublin.

Frances Hogan

parent group therapy leader

Frances Hogan is a Residency Director for NYU Steinhardt's Teacher Residency Program and an Adjunct Instructor in the Departments of Applied Psychology and Teaching & Learning. She is a PhD student focusing on Early Childhood Education with Dr. Erin O'Connor, and her main research interests include social emotional learning, leadership and administration in early education, and the relationships among parents, caregivers, teachers, and young learners.

Frances has also served as a Field Mentor to emerging student teachers in early childhood education, childhood education, and special education. A former foster care social worker and human rights advocate, Frances earned her BA from Case Western Reserve University and MA from Columbia University.

Parham Horn

available for 1:1 consultations

Parham Horn, M.Phil., Ph.D., received her doctorate in counseling psychology from New York University. She has extensive experience in treating disruptive behavior, trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders using evidence-based treatments, including behavioral strategies, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. She has trained in various settings, such as inpatient, outpatient, partial, and intensive outpatient, and worked in hospitals, community-based mental health centers, and private practices. She is currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at The Reeds Center, specializing in OCD and related anxiety disorders, PTSD, repetitive behavior disorders, and eating disorders.