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Toddlers & Pre-3s Class Teacher
Beth Graham
I began my journey with Wedgwood Co-op as a parent in the Toddlers class. I have been so grateful for the experiences and community that Wedgwood has provided, and enjoy sharing my love for early learning and play with the Wedgwood community. I feel like the Wedgwood Co-op is a magical place and I love to share in that magic.
In my life before children I was an elementary school teacher. I have my Masters in Elementary Education from Seattle University. With over ten years of teaching experience, first as a reading specialist and kindergarten teacher, then later as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, I am quite passionate about learning.
Beth Graham
I began my journey with Wedgwood Co-op as a parent in the Toddlers class. I have been so grateful for the experiences and community that Wedgwood has provided, and enjoy sharing my love for early learning and play with the Wedgwood community. I feel like the Wedgwood Co-op is a magical place and I love to share in that magic.
In my life before children I was an elementary school teacher. I have my Masters in Elementary Education from Seattle University. With over ten years of teaching experience, first as a reading specialist and kindergarten teacher, then later as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, I am quite passionate about learning.
Pre-3s Class NSC Parent Education Instructor
Beth Goss
I’m looking forward to spending time with your children, and supporting you and your family on this parenting adventure! Let me tell you a little about myself.
After doing my graduate work in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University, I moved to Seattle and began work as a preschool teacher. After several years of spending my days with infants and toddlers, as well as becoming a mother myself, I realized that I wanted to shift my focus to Early Childhood Education. I was a preschool teacher, a childcare administrator, and a teacher trainer before I started working at North Seattle College in 2002. I also work as a perinatal and postpartum educator at Swedish Medical Center and I'm a Certified Gottman Educator and Training Specialist, specializing in the transition to parenthood.
My two children are 23 and 19 and are happily engaged in their semi-adult lives. I have found, however, that my mom was right- you never stop parenting your kids!
My goal is to help your child's teacher create a safe, welcoming space for you and your child, where you feel supported. I’m available during the school year to answer your parenting questions and to provide you with education and resources which will help you make the best choices for you and your family.
Beth Goss
I’m looking forward to spending time with your children, and supporting you and your family on this parenting adventure! Let me tell you a little about myself.
After doing my graduate work in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University, I moved to Seattle and began work as a preschool teacher. After several years of spending my days with infants and toddlers, as well as becoming a mother myself, I realized that I wanted to shift my focus to Early Childhood Education. I was a preschool teacher, a childcare administrator, and a teacher trainer before I started working at North Seattle College in 2002. I also work as a perinatal and postpartum educator at Swedish Medical Center and I'm a Certified Gottman Educator and Training Specialist, specializing in the transition to parenthood.
My two children are 23 and 19 and are happily engaged in their semi-adult lives. I have found, however, that my mom was right- you never stop parenting your kids!
My goal is to help your child's teacher create a safe, welcoming space for you and your child, where you feel supported. I’m available during the school year to answer your parenting questions and to provide you with education and resources which will help you make the best choices for you and your family.
3-5s Class Teacher
Katie Matesky
Katie Matesky has been a part of Wedgwood Co-op since 2014, as a parent for three years and now enjoys being the 3-5s Teacher. She has a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University and has classroom experience teaching Kindergarten and Second Grade.
Katie sees great value in the self-directed play of young children. She aims to keep the classroom child-centered and to get the class outside to play every day. Katie engages with the children in spontaneous lessons as they arise in addition to leading informal song, game and literacy gatherings of the class as a whole. Katie appreciates the joy, humor, respect and support that Wedgwood families bring to the co-operative classroom experience.
Katie Matesky
Katie Matesky has been a part of Wedgwood Co-op since 2014, as a parent for three years and now enjoys being the 3-5s Teacher. She has a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University and has classroom experience teaching Kindergarten and Second Grade.
Katie sees great value in the self-directed play of young children. She aims to keep the classroom child-centered and to get the class outside to play every day. Katie engages with the children in spontaneous lessons as they arise in addition to leading informal song, game and literacy gatherings of the class as a whole. Katie appreciates the joy, humor, respect and support that Wedgwood families bring to the co-operative classroom experience.
3-5s Class NSC Parent Education Instructor
Betty S. Williams
I can think of no better way to spend my time than working with children and families as we nurture these young lives to thrive in a supportive community. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to provide education, resources and support to families with young children during such a foundational time in their lives.
I have a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. I grew up in East Tennessee, and moved out to the great Northwest with excitement for the beauty of the Puget Sound area after I graduated. I received my MSW with an emphasis in working with children and families from the University of Washington. I worked in the child care field for many years as an infant, toddler and preschool teacher, program supervisor, and center director. My husband, Mike, is also in the early childhood education field, and currently works at Child Care Resources. We have two daughters; my stepdaughter Mari, who lives in Shoreline with her husband, Chris, and two sons, Gabriel, who was born Dec. 21, 2014, and Joshua, born Feb. 25, 2020; and Jessica, who lives in New Jersey with her husband, Shaun, and daughter, Emerson, born Oct. 22, 2018, and Kelly, born July 9, 2021. When Jessica was young I moved into teaching Early Childhood Education and Parent Education Classes as a part-time instructor at Seattle Central Community College. Since 2004, I have been working as a full-time instructor in Parent Education at North Seattle College, where I now coordinate the program as well as teach 4 classes.
My vision for Parent Education is to provide a balance of opportunities for parents/guardians to share concerns, discuss challenges and strategies, and receive information from the field of early childhood education. I know that living in supportive, diverse and inclusive community is the best way for children to grow, learn, and fulfill their potential as caring citizens of the world. I am happy to share resource information with you anytime, so don’t hesitate to catch me when I attend the preschool classes, or call/email me in between classes.
I will be in class with your children and you on a weekly basis, rotating through the days for multi-day classes. Our parent education happens during the evening meetings monthly. My role with the co-op board is as an advisor, and I work as a partner with the children’s teacher to support your children and your learning in the class. Your co-op is affiliated with NSC for my services and commits to following certain guidelines as outlined by the Risk Management Manual (posted on the PAC website), which outlines health & safety practices for our cooperative preschools. This document is produced as a resource for all of the cooperative preschool programs throughout Washington State that are affiliated with the Parent Education Programs in their local Community Colleges. I am very pleased to be part of such a valuable program that seeks to improve our communities and help our children get off to the best possible start in their lives. I welcome your feedback regarding Parent Education and your co-op experience anytime.