Teachers

Teacher Shannon has a real passion for building relationships with families and working as a team to nurture children and help them develop a love of learning. She graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in psychology. She then moved to Seattle where she worked at a large, NAEYC accredited child care center for nearly 18 years. She held various positions while there, including assistant and lead teacher, program supervisor, and assistant director. Teacher Shannon has been with Madison Park Cooperative Preschool since 2012 serving first as Head Teacher and since 2019 as School Director.  While not developing the minds of the young children she teaches, Shannon enjoys traveling, knitting, reading, playing games and spending time with friends.

A fan of co-op from way back, Teresa attended Wallingford co-op with her child over 20 years ago. Why co-op? “The parent camaraderie and commitment is invaluable; and the educational piece from NSCC is a key support in creating a thoughtful and welcoming early education experience. Some of my best friendships began at co-op.” Teresa’s career path has been anchored in nurturing, service and advocacy. Her background includes 15 years of owning service-oriented businesses, including a small cafe; 7 years in Special Education Advocacy; and career nanny/household manager for the past 5 years. Teresa can’t wait to partner with our community. “Being a part of a child’s life is such an honor and joy- and endlessly fascinating. As a parent of a twice- exceptional student (severe dyslexia and gifted), I recognize that imaginative play, fine-tuning strengths while supporting challenges, instilling a love of learning, and respecting individuality are important aspects of life - for children and adults alike!” A Ballard native, Teresa enjoys camping, rowing, minus-tide exploration with children, living aboard her boat on South Lake Union, and spoiling her grand-dog named Monkey, an adorable (and perfect) miniature schnauzer. In the Fall Teresa will continue pursuing a degree in psychology.

With over twenty years of experience leading early childhood music and movement classes, Auna is passionate about creating inclusive, joyful musical experiences for families. Growing up in a musical household, Auna studied piano and sang in many choirs. Auna graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. They taught parent-child music at Gymboree Play & Music for 17 years and received an award for excellence in teaching from the National Gymboree Headquarters. Auna then taught parent-child music at Sunshine Music Together for four years. They have also worked as a music therapist for children with special needs at Green Lake Elementary for the last 16 years. Auna enjoys spending time with their family and friends, practicing yoga, reading, befriending dogs, and being in nature. They are constantly on the quest to find the best gluten free foods Seattle can offer. We are excited to welcome Auna to MPCP

Jane Schmidt has been a faculty member in the Department of Parent Education at Seattle Central & North Seattle College since 2013 and has taught parent education and child development classes to several cooperative preschools in the Seattle area. Jane is also a Parent Coach in private practice, having founded Parent Coaching Northwest, LLC in 2012. Through her work, Jane supported hundreds of families with children of all ages. She especially enjoys working with families with children through the age of 5 and believes these years to be the most crucial in the development of every child. Jane earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington and did her graduate-level training at the Parent Coaching Institute through Seattle Pacific University. “Giddy” is the word Jane uses to describe the feeling she gets when she’s in the classroom with the children, teacher, and parents/caregivers. There is so much going on! Jane’s primary focus is to help nurture, educate and support each family member, caretaker, and child wherever they are in their journey. The network of support each family has just by being part of a co-op community is invaluable. Jane also joins the parents for monthly meetings, discussing innumerable important topics bearing on many important topics regarding your child’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development, as well as supporting and guiding you in your role as a parent. The meetings promise to be fun and interactive and often an opportunity to really get to know other parents who are going through many of the same joys and challenges of parenting. Jane’s co-op experience began almost 20 years ago when she and her husband enrolled their twin daughters at Lakewood Cooperative Preschool. She believes it’s one of the best parenting decisions they made. Jane’s twin daughters are now young adults, approaching their sophomore year in college. Jane and her family love heading off into the mountains or traveling most anywhere in the world. Jane also enjoys cooking/baking, reading, and getting to spend time with her 5 sisters and extended family.

Originally from the UK, Louise and her family moved here 20 years ago and has found a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Louise has worked with families for all of her professional career, beginning as a Children’s Nurse in Nottingham (England) and then becoming a Health Visitor before starting her family. After moving here, Louise created and taught a successful New Parents’ Class in Seattle for over a decade and then completed her graduate program from Seattle University in 2020. Louise adores being a parent educator. Her catchphrase is “parenting is an art, not a science” which reminds parents that there is no one right way to parent. Louise hopes to encourage families to extend grace and understanding to themselves and others as they embark on this parenting journey together. While not working, Louise serves as a ‘mentor mom’ for a local organization and loves to bake, go on a daily walk, and catch up with friends.

Alyson Mocarski was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development and began her career working as a Behavioral Therapist for children with autism. After doing that for a few years, she realized her love for helping children succeed in whatever way is best for them and their families, so she decided to further her education within the field. She graduated with her master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism and moved up to Seattle where she began a career as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Regional Director with Northwest ABA. Through that work she was able to familiarize herself with the educational system in Seattle including various school districts, special education programs and other sorts of opportunities that families can access to help their children navigate their world. She also worked with families in clinical and in home settings on how to respond to maladaptive behaviors in a way that is helpful for their children. After having two children of her own, as well as gaining the benefits of the North Seattle Cooperative Preschool system, Alyson moved onto a new facet of education as a Parent Educator with North Seattle College. Alyson enjoys going on new adventures with her husband and kids as well as running and yoga.