Parents as Teachers

Teaching Overview

All the teachers at our Preschool are governed by the (NAEYC) National Association of the Education of Young Children's core values:

• 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

Gloria Bradford: Teacher 4/5 Class

Gloria brings years of teaching experience to the Vashon Maury Cooperative Preschool. Since her early teens, Gloria knew she wanted to work with children. After many years of childcare and preschool experience while earning her Child Development Accredidation and Associates degree, She achieved her goal and has taught in various Head Start program for over ten years prior to her arrival in Vashon.

Gloria has always found joy in working with children. She knows that she learns as much from them as they do from her! With her own children grown and on their own, Gloria continues to want to be involved in touching the lives of children and helping families. She knows how essential familiy involvement is to a child's success at school and in creating the qualities of a life-long learner. Gloria looks forward to many years of being involved with Island families and in creating a safe and fun, developmentally appropriate environment, rich in opportunity for open-ended play and creativity. She truly values and enjoys the work she does and it shows.

Andrea Braganza: Teacher T-3 and 3/4 Classes

Andrea is an experienced educator who has taught young children since 1993. She received her Master’s in Teaching from Seattle University in 1998 and then went on to teach art at Bertschi, an independent elementary school in Seattle, for nine years. After her move to Vashon in 2007 and the birth of her third child, Andrea took a hiatus from teaching to stay home with her kids. She enrolled her son, Theo, at VMCP, where he attended for two years. Her family’s experience at the coop was very positive and was instrumental in building a community of friends on the island. Andrea’s youngest child, Isaac, joins the toddler class this year. Andrea is excited for her debut in the world of early childhood education, and is proud to be a member of the community of learners that is VMCP.