Our Team
A successful co-op preschool seems to begin with the balance between the parents, the Board and the teachers. Each part carries out a myriad of tasks to create an extraordinary school for our young students. The teachers at WPNS all began on different paths and ended up realizing that this co-op was the place to be; it provided quality learning environments and fostered the community spirit. It became an extended family, one that is so greatly needed for our children in such a big city. All have a strong belief in the play-based philosophy and that each child is to be approached as an individual with different and unique learning styles. The teachers at WPNS are all different. The teachers complement and balance each other out. And children instinctively get what they need from each one of them.
Kids go to Teacher Joyce for giggles, craziness, storytelling or when they simply want to be heard. They go to Teacher Jessica when they need a moment to think, to hear a great laugh, to joke or pull a prank, or for a hand to hold. Teacher Sue is there when the kids want to be shown how things work and go, to talk on the banana phone, whenever they get an ouch, or when they need to know that “that’s just how it is today.”
Joyce Woodruff(Director & Teacher):
Joyce A. Woodruff earned a B.A. in Human Development with an emphasis of developmentally appropriate and anti-bias curriculum from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena in 1986.
She also has 30 units toward a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management/Organization Development from Chapman University. Her goal has been to merge these two paths together to establish a high-quality learning environment for preschool-age children. Joyce has worked in the Child Development Field for over 20 years, holding many positions: Teacher, Director, Child Care Co-Coordinator and Staff Development Trainer.
She believes children are more successful in environments where parents are involved, curriculum is developmentally appropriate and social development is a primary focus. Equally important is a learning environment where peaceful communication is used as a tool and built upon; where children are given choices; and where each child is looked at as a unique “whole” individual.
More about Joyce
Working in many different types of programs has confirmed her belief that children are more successful in environments where parents are involved, curriculum is developmentally appropriate and social development is a primary focus. Equally important is a learning environment where peaceful communication is used as a tool and built upon; where children are given choices; and where each child is looked at as a unique “whole” individual. In 1999 Joyce had her son, Quinten. When he was 18 months old, she enrolled him in a wonderful Co-Op. There she rediscovered the beauty of parental involvement, and the true meaning of a play-based school. She once again realized that she was meant to work with children and parents. In the fall of 2002, the WPNS board approached her to be the Director. They had heard of Joyce through Quinten’s Co-op and liked what she had done there. After many interviews and many play dates (just ask Michelle!), she finally decided that working at WPNS would be a wonderful opportunity. At the time there were about 15 kids in the MWF class, and 9 in the T/Th and the school was geared toward academics. There were lots of rules (students couldn’t go UP the slide). The WPNS board wanted to bring the school back to its original philosophy—that of being a play-based school. Together they decided to make this happen. During Joyce’s time at WPNS many things have happened. The school reached its original capacity of 24, and has now been extended to 34. We have acquired more space and have launched the Parent Education aspect of WPNS to reach into the community. We are also in the process of developing a successful afternoon program. WPNS is also an active participant in the California Council of Parent Participating Nursery Schools,(CCPPNS) an organization that supports and advises the Co-ops in California. Within CCPPNS Joyce has held several different board positions, from President to her current position as Membership Chair. Joyce’s efforts have been recognized with several awards: in 2007, she received the CCPPNS Teacher of the Year Award and in 2009 received the President’s Choice Award. All this and more has happened due to the cooperative involvement between Teachers, Board and the Parents. In Joyce’s own words: “I feel very lucky that I get to do what I thoroughly enjoy. Not only do I get to work with children but I get to work with parents who want to build peaceful connections with their children, and want to help in creating an environment where children feel loved, secure in being who they are, and stimulate a joy for ‘exploring’ and wanting to find out more. Children are My Passion.”
Sue G., Teacher & WPNS first aide co-ordinator:
Sue is an alumni parent, who has received 24 units in Early Childhood Education from El Camino and UCLA. She has held three careers in her life time. Prior to becoming a mother, Sue worked at TRW as a secretary in the Space and Technology department. She decided to stay at home to parent her two wonderful boys, Wesley and Adam, who are now young adults.
She visited WPNS and knew that she had found the right school for her children and for her! As her children grew, she saw that the skills and experience they received from WPNS helped them to succeed on their journeys. In the fall of 2003, Sue was hired to be the first official Office Administrator of WPNS. Putting her education to work, in 2004 she joined WPNS as a teacher.
She believes children are wonderful people who express themselves freely when allowed; they enjoy life and can have fun no matter what they to do. They are creative and eager to learn when given the opportunity. Children are honest, loving and caring. Mostly, children are sponges just waiting to absorb any knowledge that comes their way. In 2009, Teacher Sue received the Teacher of the Year award from the California Council of Parent Participating Nursery School. Sue also holds certification to teach and certify others in First Aid and CPR.
Jessica C., Teacher:
Jessica discovered her passion for the field of Early Childhood Education while voluntering at her son’s co-op preschool for two years. She earned her ECE and Administration credentials through UCLA Extension and currently enrolled a Santa Monica College to further her education in the field, and eventually earn her BA in Child Development.
As a teacher,Jessica believes, it is her job to recognize and value that which makes each child unique, and use that knowledge to create a learning environment that will challenge and engage all the young children in her care. She wants to help all children master the cognitive, social, emotional and communication skills they will need to be successful in all areas of their lives, now and as they grow and advance in their education. Jessica is mom to a 12-year old son, wife to her photographer husband, a dedicated preschool teacher, an advocate for early childhood education, a lover of food and a passionate chef(much to her family and friends’ delight and enjoyment) an an accomplished seamstress.
She loves healthy cooking and discusses the kids about healthy eating habits during the snack/lunch time. She also teaches a cooking class where children learn the basics of cooking and what is “good” for your body.
Julie B., Teacher
Julie completed 30 units in early childhood education and obtained certificate in Early childhood education from Santa Monica College. She first got into the field when she worked (intermittently) at a home based child care setting. As a parent herself, she wanted to learn more about child development so she decided to further knowledge in this particular area. In Spring of 2009, she decided to study early childhood education. Her short term goal is to obtain my BS in child development, with specialization in children with challenging behaviors.
As a parent and teacher she believes, that, during play, children learn by doing. It’s what gives the children the ability to connect with the real world, to explore their own surroundings, and for the child to discover what has yet to be discovered. Play is integral to their learning as they begin to explore through their senses where they are fully engaged in the activity they chose to do.
Furthermore, play allows them to produce a plethora of ideas based on their experiences on what they have seen and represent it through play.
Michelle G., Office Manager:
Michelle started her journey here at WPNS as a parent to her older daughter in September of 2003, Michelle spent the next six years at WPNS as a devoted working co-op parent and Board Member while her three daughters attended WPNS. In 2009, her youngest daughter was going off to kindergarten she found herself wondering how she was going to leave her WPNS family. At that same time out school was looking for an office manager and it seemed like a perfect fit. Always believing in the philosophy of our school, a play based, child centered school being supported by the parents Michelle’s transition into office manager was an easy one. Seeing first hand through her own children the benefits of being a co-op parent, she is able to work with new families starting their own journey here at WPNS.
