 |
|
|||||||
 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
Our Philosophy
What is a Co-op?
A Typical Day
Meet the Teachers and Staff
OUR
PHILOSOPHY
The Co-op is truly a unique experience for both parents and children.
Our goal is to help each child develop his or her own natural sociability,
and find creative self-expression through a secure and stimulating
environment. The programs are structured around play with a purpose.
Through play, children become self-reliant, develop a positive self
image, acquire fine and gross motor skills, and practice language skills.
By providing a broad range of activities, the Co-op encourages children
to interact with peers--working out problems along the way--and think
innovatively.
Teachers and assisting parents perform a significant role by encouraging
children in their activities, facilitating problem solving, or extending
play into new dimensions. Adults always look for the
"teachable moment" to individualize a child's school experience.
LPCNS's philosophy is based on the theories of Jean
Piaget and L.S.
Vygotsky.
Back to Top
WHAT IS A CO-OP?
Being part of a cooperative nursery school offers parents the unique
opportunity of watching their child grow in his or her first contact
with a group outside of the family. It offers parents the privilege
of being directly involved with the teachers and children who make
up this important new group in the child's life.
By being so closely involved with the school, parents have the opportunity
to observe how trained professionals handle issues such as discipline,
aggression and timidity.
Everyone benefits from the enthusiasm and new ideas that a cooperative
generates, and from the commitment of its members.
Perhaps the most lasting effect of joining the Co-op is the sense of
community that develops among the parents, as they serve together on
committees, celebrate birthdays, welcome new births and share their
parenting successes and concerns. These friendships formed around common
involvement at the Co-op often last a lifetime.
Parents are involved in several ways: the Co-op is managed by a parent
Board of Directors, each family serves on one committee, and a parent
assists each teacher, each class.
Back to Top
Class Structure
2 1/2-year-olds meet on Monday and Friday mornings, from 9 a.m. to
11 a.m. Two classes of about ten students each is led by a teacher,
assistant teacher and one assisting parent. Adult/child ratio:
1 to 4.
3- and 4-year-olds may enroll on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings
from 8:45 to 11:15 or Monday-Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 3:00.
These classes contain about 30 students, four teachers and two assisting
parents. Adult/Child ratio: 1 to 5.
A Typical Day
The Co-op is fortunate to have a dedicated and highly-qualified staff
of seven teachers and one full-time director who meet weekly to plan
and evaluate the programs.
Thus, what appears to be simply play is actually the result of careful
planning and thoughtful application of educational theories by the
teaching staff. A balance of self-initiated and planned activities
is offered to stretch the children's minds as well as their muscles.
Individual Choices
Each class begins with a free play period during which the children
move as they please among the many different interest centers. For
example, one may choose art, blocks or sand play, then move on to the
climber or book corner.
Group Time
Free play is followed by a cooperative clean up, snack and structured
group time. In groups, the children may sing, share news, listen to
stories or participate in movement activities.
Weather permitting, the 3- and 4-year-olds play outside everyday.
Back to Top
MEET THE TEACHERS AND STAFF
The Co-op is fortunate to have a dedicated and highly-qualified staff
of six teachers and one full-time director who meet weekly to plan
and evaluate the programs.
Judy Keller, Director since 1984
Judy's background includes a B.A. from Western Michigan University,
a M.Ed. in Child Development from the University of Maryland and additional
training in not-for-profit administration from DePaul University and
Wheelock College. She has taught upper elementary grades in public
school in Michigan, is on the adjunct faculty at Oakton Community College
and has over 20 years experience in early childhood education.
Ruth Lancaster, Teacher
Ruth graduated from Northern Illinois University and has taught elementary
school in Missouri and California. She became a Co-op teacher in 1972.
Angie Butler, Teacher
Angie has been at LPCNS since 1987, with a 3 year hiatus to care for
her daughter. She earned her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from
the Erikson Institute and has an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language
Pathology from Elmhurst College.
Rosalia Scholle, Teacher
Rosalia has a degree in early Childhood and Elementary Education
from Northeastern University and an MA in Reading from Roosevelt
University. She has taught at LPCNS since 1990.
Maliha Haq, Teacher
Maliha graduated from DePaul in 2003 with a degree in Education
and a minor in History. She was teaching at a Jewish Community Center
for about a year and half, where she taught various age groups. Maliha
joined Lincoln Park Co-op in 2006.
Sue Holtzman, Teacher
Sue received her Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern University
and her Early Childhood Education certification from Oakton College.
She was a Junior Kindergarten teacher at Willow Wood Preschool for
eight years. This will be Sue's first year teaching at Lincoln Park.
Michele Grabenstein, Teacher
Michele graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2002 with a B.A.
in elementary education. She just recently completed her M.Ed. in
early childhood education from Dominican University. She taught
at Notre Dame School in Clarendon Hills for the past five years. This
is her first year at the Lincoln Park Co-op.
Barbara Swem, Teacher
Barbara Swem earned her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education at
Erikson Institute and has a BA in English literature. This
is her third year teaching preschool; she has also worked in
education at Brookfield Zoo and the Illinois State Museum.
Kathy Goggin, Financial Manager
Kathy is our new Financial Manager. She graduated from the
University of Dayton and taught elementary school for a few years
before starting a family. After raising her four children, Kathy
returned to school and earned a Masters Degree in Computer Science/Education
from Concordia University in River Forest.
Copyright (c) 2008 Lincoln Park Cooperative
Nursery School
1753 N. Fern Court | Chicago, IL 60614 | (312) 944-5469
admin@lincolnparkcoop.org