Teacher Karen (3-5's)
“Almost immediately upon moving to Seattle, I learned about cooperative preschool. Co-op became my village. In it, I have found a place for me to be a parent and an educator, an amazing group of peers for myself and my children, and a boundless amount of resources through the experiences of others. I am still a coop parent, and now a teacher as well.”
Teacher Karen creates the environment for the children and engages them in rich language to enhance their learning. She uses routine to create predictability which allows the children to thrive.
Teacher Karen believes that preschool is a place for children of all backgrounds to come together and that play is how they learn best. In her classroom, children have many opportunities for creative and imaginative play.
In 3-5s, Karen's goal for the kids is to learn who they are, how to be a part of their community (whatever that is for them), how to advocate for themselves, and working through conflict and dealing with disappointment. But mostly she wants the kids and parents to have fun learning!
In Pre-3s, the children are natural scientists - Teacher Karen’s top priority is creating engaging, multi-sensory experiences for them to explore. She loves observing the 2 year old child playing and exploring in the coop classroom, doing the work of play. She also knows A LOT of songs. Helping children learn their emotions, find their independence and foster their interests through a wide variety of experiences is the backbone of our Pre-3s program.
Karen has a BS in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University where she focused on motor development and skill acquisition. She has taught preschool previously, and has also been a nanny, a retail manager, assistant director of an afterschool program, and an office manager at an indie video game company.
“Almost immediately upon moving to Seattle, I learned about cooperative preschool. Co-op became my village. In it, I have found a place for me to be a parent and an educator, an amazing group of peers for myself and my children, and a boundless amount of resources through the experiences of others. I am still a coop parent, and now a teacher as well.”
Teacher Karen creates the environment for the children and engages them in rich language to enhance their learning. She uses routine to create predictability which allows the children to thrive.
Teacher Karen believes that preschool is a place for children of all backgrounds to come together and that play is how they learn best. In her classroom, children have many opportunities for creative and imaginative play.
In 3-5s, Karen's goal for the kids is to learn who they are, how to be a part of their community (whatever that is for them), how to advocate for themselves, and working through conflict and dealing with disappointment. But mostly she wants the kids and parents to have fun learning!
In Pre-3s, the children are natural scientists - Teacher Karen’s top priority is creating engaging, multi-sensory experiences for them to explore. She loves observing the 2 year old child playing and exploring in the coop classroom, doing the work of play. She also knows A LOT of songs. Helping children learn their emotions, find their independence and foster their interests through a wide variety of experiences is the backbone of our Pre-3s program.
Karen has a BS in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University where she focused on motor development and skill acquisition. She has taught preschool previously, and has also been a nanny, a retail manager, assistant director of an afterschool program, and an office manager at an indie video game company.
Teacher Michelle (Pre3's)
Michelle is a Georgia native, who has lived in Seattle for over two decades, and proudly calls the PNW home. Having no family in the area, Michelle discovered the gift of co-op preschool when she enrolled her oldest daughter in a Pre-3's class 12 yrs ago. Between her two daughters, she has over 8 years of combined experience working as an "assistant teacher" in 4 different co-op classrooms. She and her husband have cultivated a diverse, supportive, and tight knit community of Co-op friends & families over the years.
Michelle began teaching the Toddlers & Pre-3's classes at Broadview Co-op in 2018. She currently teaches the Pre-3's class at Meadowbrook co-op. In her classroom, children are encouraged to explore their environment in safe, fun, predictable, and creative ways. Teacher Michelle believes that children learn best through play, and encourages both parents and children to play and explore together. She aims to provide a nurturing, comfortable space where children can create, discover, connect, and grow.
Michelle is a Georgia native, who has lived in Seattle for over two decades, and proudly calls the PNW home. Having no family in the area, Michelle discovered the gift of co-op preschool when she enrolled her oldest daughter in a Pre-3's class 12 yrs ago. Between her two daughters, she has over 8 years of combined experience working as an "assistant teacher" in 4 different co-op classrooms. She and her husband have cultivated a diverse, supportive, and tight knit community of Co-op friends & families over the years.
Michelle began teaching the Toddlers & Pre-3's classes at Broadview Co-op in 2018. She currently teaches the Pre-3's class at Meadowbrook co-op. In her classroom, children are encouraged to explore their environment in safe, fun, predictable, and creative ways. Teacher Michelle believes that children learn best through play, and encourages both parents and children to play and explore together. She aims to provide a nurturing, comfortable space where children can create, discover, connect, and grow.
