Madison Park Cooperative Preschool

OUR DEVOTED TEACHERS

KELLY MULLIGAN is the mother of three children and she has been a cooperative preschool parent at MPCP. She has her Master's in Teaching from Seattle University and over 8 years teaching experience in Seattle Public Schools. Kelly brings with her over 10 years experience in assessing and supporting effective early childhood development. In addition, she has over 15 years experience counseling parents on healthy communication and parenting styles. Before teaching Kelly worked for many years as a child advocate for Broadview Emergency Shelter Program.

NORA WHEAT has worked with young children and their families for nearly 20 years, as a teacher, family educator and child-advocate in a range of settings. She has 10 years co-op experience and has also taught preschool in Quaker, Montessori and early intervention programs. Central to her work is the support of young children's initiative, with the teacher as a friend, resource, and guide. Nora is the mother of two teens. Together they like to bake, garden, debate philosophy and color schemes, and occasionally watch bad TV. She hold a BA in Child and Family Development, is a childbirth doula and has trained in nonviolent communication and anti-bias practices. This year she is especially excited to work side-by-side with parents in creating a classroom reflective of children's interests and abilities.

OUR SUPPORTIVE PARENT EDUCATORS

PAM MCELMEEL has been an SCCC parent education instructor since 1987. She has two adult children who were both co-op kids. Pam is a firm believer that a “village” is the best support for childrearing. She loves her job because it allows her the opportunity to contribute in a small way to growing a new generation.

Pam earned a B.S. in education from Western Illinois University and a M.S. in education from the University of Washington. She has taught in both secondary and elementary school. She currently instructs two SCCC affiliated preschools, Madison Park and Queen Anne.

LINDA BARBER has been a parent educator with Madison Park for five years. Her own children and her three grandchildren were all co-op kids. Linda most enjoys working with families, watching the tots and twos develop, and getting to know the many wonderful parents.

Linda received a B.A. in Education from Pacific Lutheran University and a M.Ed. from City University with am emphasis in family counseling. Previously, she spent twelve years with the Raising Healthy Children project at the University of Washington, where she worked with 135 families as their children were growing—all the way through seniors in high school. She currently instructs two SCCC affiliated preschools, Madison Park and Queen Anne.

“Finding a high-quality preschool for my daughter is extremely important to me. After a friend recommended Madison Park Cooperative Preschool, I observed a class one morning. I immediately felt a sense of comfort throughout the room, from the fun-loving teachers to the spacious, child-centered layout of the classroom.

The dedication and compassion our teacher has toward the preschool is evident in the detailed lesson plans; which are emailed to every parent weekly. She always remembers to keep the interests of the children at the center of everything they do.

Being in a cooperative preschool enables me serve on the board and to parent aide in the classroom. I treasure each opportunity I get to experience a typical preschool day with my daughter. I am proud to be a part of a school that values the collaboration of teachers, parents and children in order to create an extraordinary learning environment.”
JENN U.