Emily Dunford Hubbard presently is taking time to raise her two children in the Heights with her husband. Emily also serves as an academic tutor and was most recently an elementary teacher at Saint Ann’s School (Communion of Saints). She holds a Masters in Education from Tufts University.
What keeps you busy during the day? My two young children keep me very busy during the day – just being home with them reading books, or driving to preschool, swim lessons, etc.
What are your favorite aspects of living in the Heights? And now with little children? My favorite part of living in the Heights is the walkability. I also have always loved all the sycamore trees in Cleveland Heights and I think it is nice that there are different styles of architecture in the houses. It is convenient to be so close to University Circle and downtown.
Do you have a favorite journey on foot that you like to take in the Heights? Walking to Turtle Park with the kids and it is nice that we can walk to Church: Saint Ann’s (Communion of Saints).
What is your favorite restaurant in town? What’s the best thing on the menu? Cafe Tandor: Vegetable Briani w tofu. I also love Marottas’ penne Pompeii (pasta w eggplant).
If you could change anything about Cleveland Heights, what would it be? I am really concerned about the increasing crime in the Heights. It makes me nervous with the kids. I think City Council lets too many little things slide. I think that if they would follow the “broken window” theory, things would improve. This is the theory that if you crack down on little things: people putting out garbage too early, landlords who don’t repair broken windows, citing groups of kids walking down the streets using foul language, the “big” issues such as crime, schools, improve as well.
What are some of your needs in raising children in a big city? Get a handle on crime.
How does the Heights help you as a family? The children’s librarians in the Heights are so great. We especially love Mr. Henry and they have so many great programs for children in the libraries. Another thing the Heights are great for is the availability of such good fresh foods. We were in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and fresh fruits and veggies were delivered right to St. Paul’s Church every Saturday.
Do you have any suggestions for new families relocating to the Heights, looking for activities? Heights libraries, the three Co-op preschools in Cleveland Heights, the open gym at the rec center, the Nature Center.
What is the best thing about your job? I am a stay at home mom, so while the pay is not great (ha ha), I am able to be really involved with our preschool and every aspect of their lives.
What books are you reading at the moment? I recently read A Good Hard Look by Ann Napolitano. It was a sort of historical fiction work with Flannery O’Conner as a character.
What world topics are you interested in most? Education. I think that if we cannot succeed at educating children fairly and equally at the elementary level, many children will not thrive, let alone succeed, in society. Watch the documentary “Waiting for Superman.”
Who are your heroes in real life? My hero in real life is my mother. A cliché, but in this case, very true. ~
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