This is Susannah's second year teaching the 3-5s class at Wedgwood Coop. Her kids attended and are attending Wedgwood and love it!
Before staying home to be with her kids, Susannah taught for 10 years in Seattle public schools in a variety of age levels and subjects, kindergarten and art being her favorites. She has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art from Whitworth University and a masters degree in Integrating Arts and Performance Learning. She loves creating an environment where kids can learn and grow in a play-based, hands-on way. She also loves supporting parents in their role as assistant teacher.
"The second I walked into Wedgwood as a prospective parent I knew it was the right place for me and my children. I want to continue fostering that sense of community and love of children as a teacher here."
3 - 5 Class Parent Education Instructor Betty S. Williams
I am looking forward to working with all of you and your wonderful children this year. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to support families with young children during such a foundational time in their lives.
I want to share with you a bit more about my background. 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 joy after I graduated. I received my MSW with an emphasis in working with children and families in 1982 from the University of Washington. I worked in child care 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 recently moved back to Seattle with her husband and is expecting her first child soon, and Jessica, who graduated from Lewis & Clark College and now works with children in Seattle. When Jessica was 2 years old I moved into teaching Early Childhood Education and Parent Education Classes as a part-time instructor at Seattle Central Community College. I have just completed my ninth year as a full-time instructor in Parent Education at North Seattle Community College. My, how time flies!
My vision for Parent Education is to provide a balance of opportunities for you to share concerns, discuss challenges and strategies, and receive information from the field of early childhood education. 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.
My role with the co-op board is as an advisor, since your co-op contracts with NSCC for my services and commits to following certain guidelines as outlined by the Risk Management Manual. This document is produced as a resource for all of the cooperative preschool programs throughout Washington State that contract with the Parent Education Programs in their local Community Colleges. I am very pleased to be part of such a valuable service to improving our communities and helping 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.
Pre-3 and Toddler Class Kari Larson
Kari Larson teaches the Pre-3 class and the Toddler class.
Kari joined Wedgwood Coop as a parent in 1997 and began teaching at another coop in the NSC program in 2010.
Before that, Kari was a primary teacher for kindergarten through second grade. She wrote literacy curriculum for the multi-age primary team at Wildwood School and was a staff developer for the Lucy Calkin's Reading and Writing Program at the Evergreen School. Kari is passionate about children's literature, always looking for ways children can be inspired by stories in imaginary play.
"Wedgwood Coop is a second home for me and my family. Being a coop parent and teacher has been an immeasurable gift."
Pre-3 Class Parent Education Instructor Beth Goss
I've been working in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1989. I've been a preschool teacher, an administrator, a teacher trainer and a parent educator at North Seattle College. I also work as a perinatal and postpartum educator at Swedish Medical Center. Last but not least, I'm a Certified Gottman Educator and Training Specialist.
I'm a mom to 2 children, 17 and 21 years old. I'm a dancer, nature lover, and avid reader. I'm a native New Yorker but I've happily called Seattle my home for 24 years.
Toddler Class Parent Education Instructor Rebecca Hoyt
Prior to becoming a Parent Educator, I trained people to become therapeutic foster parents for children with behavioral and developmental challenges. I also coached birth parents preparing for reunification with their children after foster care placement.
After my first son was born, I took several years off during which I sang "The More We Get Together", supervised sensory table, and scribbled copious notes during Parent Ed while participating in Crown Hill Co-op. Fun fact - Betty Williams was my first Parent Educator! I now have two boys, both Co-op alumni.
I received my undergraduate degree in Literature from the University of Colorado and my graduate degree in Social Work from Colorado State University.
When my boys were recently interviewed by their teachers for a Mother's Day project about what I like to do in my free time, one said "Go to the playground at Seattle Center!" and the other said "Sit on the couch!" Truthfully, the climbing structure at Seattle Center terrifies me and I can't remember the last time I just sat on the couch - though it does sound nice. If I really get to choose, we'd all be hiking to an alpine lake, taking bets on who would be the first to jump in the icy waters.
I am looking forward to supporting all of you on this wild ride of parenting (and turning over sensory table duties to you!)
