Parents as Teachers

• Appreciating childhood as a unique valuable stage of the human life cycle (and valuing the quality of children's lives in the present, not just as preparation for the future);
• Basing our work with children on knowledge of child development (and learning)
• Appreciating and supporting the close ties between the child and family
• Recognzing that children are best understood in the context of family, culture, and society
• Respecting the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member and colleague)
• Helping children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust, respect and positive regard. (Feeney & Kipnis 1992,3)

They also follow NAEYC's guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice which are:

• Creating a caring community of learners
• Teaching to enhance development and learning
• Constructing appropriate curriculum
• Assessing children's learning and development
• Establishing reciprocal relationships with families

Deb Kimmbrough: Teacher 3/4 & 4/5 Class
Deb moved to Vashon Island seven years ago from Colorado with her husband and 2 children. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and holds an ECE Director’s Certificate in the state of Colorado. She has taught in many different types of preschool settings over the past 20 years, but this is her first Co-op experience. With each passing day sheI learns more and more about the ‘Co-op way’ and is encouraged by the rewards and challenges that this type of setting provides.
While raising her children from infancy through 3 years sheI had the fortunate opportunity to have them with her at her Children’s Center. Though she wasn’t actually in the classroom with them, she was never more than a child’s cry away. Beside her love for working with children, she always believed one of the greatest benefits of her job was the ability to be with her children while she worked. She admires all of the families who have also made that choice by becoming a part of this program, and experiencing the joy of watching their own children learn in a classroom setting. It is with great pleasure and excitement that she joins all her fellow teachers at the Co-op

Melanie Salonen: Teacher 2/3 Class & Parent Instructor 3/4 & 4/5 Class
Melanie Salonen, SSCC Parent Instructor, brings many years of her own cooperative Preschool experience into the Vashon/Maury Coop Preschool program.  After seven years of being a parent and board member at the West Seattle Coop Preschools, spending countless volunteer hours within the Vashon School District, and working as a Family Advocate at McMurray middle school, Melanie decided to return to the place that originally inspired her. 

Interning with the South Seattle Community College Coop program in West Seattle, while finishing her degree in Family Support, rekindled Melanie's passion for working with children and families.  She is thrilled and delighted about returning to the program that originally supported and nurtured her and her husband during their early parenting years.

Judy Hall: Parent Instructor, 2-3 Class
Judy brings experience from all arenas in the SSCC co-operative preschool system.  As a preschool mom of two boys she learned first hand the joys and benefits of parenting "the co-op way."   She was quickly drawn into the role of preschool teacher and has worked in preschool classrooms with a variety of ages.  Her "roots" as preschool teacher are very evident when her role is parent instructor--she is first to be available for little hugs from kids and full of funny stories about kids for parents.  She lives her talk.  Training with Marianne Ulene- Kogen's (University Of Washington Parenting Clinic) "bug in the ear" method was an invaluable way to learn to give and receive feedback about parenting styles.  She has become the "Guidance and Discipline" guru--her classes and attitude bring light hearted empathy to a serious subject.  She is a key player in the organizational structure as co-registrar for the West Seattle Preschools and site coordinator for the SSCC Campus Preschools....and the friendly voice on the phone that patiently takes time to explain what co-op is all about. After many years on the mainland,  Judy is excited to be back on Vashon as parent instructor because it is a vibrant learning environment and will feel like coming home again