Facilities and Staff

Facilities

John Knox Cooperative Preschool is a very well equipped school.  It has many things children love to see and do.  There are three rooms for the children: Room One consists of tables for puzzles, library, games, small manipulatives, and a science table; Room Two has blocks for large motor skills, dress-up and a family life center; last, Room 3 is where the crafts are created (such as painting, play dough, special projects etc.).

The play yard has swings, a slide, climbing bars, a sandbox, diggers, play house, garden area for children to water, wheel toys, and other outside play things.  There is a large grassy area surrounded by a  cement walk for tricycles and wagons.  The grass is used for playing ball, tumbling and running.

Staff

The staff at John Knox has many years of experience teaching at the preschool level. They are knowledgeable, loving and supportive to the children, parents and families. Every one of our staff members is a former Parent of the School The Teacher / Student ratio is 1:5.

 

Leslie James

Director/Teacher

Leslie James joined the staff at JKCP in 1999 as a teacher. She became Assistant Director/teacher in 2005 and Director in 2012. Leslie believes in an integrated curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and encourages children to grow socially emotionally, physically and academically through discovery and play. She is a member of the California Kindergarten Association and Directors of the Valley to keep updated about new regulations, programs and standards. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Food Science/chemistry from UC Davis in 1981 and took her ECE and Director’s classes at DVC and Las Positas. She loves teaching and encouraging the children’s imagination and discovery especially through science. She has been a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church since 1992. Leslie appreciates working in a Co-op environment because she gets to know not only the children but also their parents. The talents of all the parents of JKCP really enrich our school. Leslie has a daughter who attended JKCP in 1995 & 1996 and a son who attended JKCP in 1997 & 1998 and enjoyed working on the parent board when her children attended. Her outstanding skills are complimented by two additional teachers who bring love, care and knowledge to our school.

 

Stacy Omo

Teacher

She has been teaching at John Knox Preschool since 2001. She earned her degree from Heald Business College and received her Early Childhood Education degree from Las Positas College. Stacy has been a part of the Coop family since her three boy's first attended in 1999. Before she became a teacher here, Her husband also attended John Knox when he was a child. Stacy enjoyed being on the parent board for three years. Stacy is a giving teacher who encourages the children's development through crafts and play.

 

Alice Richards

Teacher

Alice has been teaching at John Knox Co-Op Preschool since 2007. She earned a degree from Morse Business College, and has received her Early Childhood Education units from Las Positas College. Alice began substituting, and had a teaching position for three years at a local preschool, before becoming a staff teacher at JKCP. Alice was a Co-Op parent and board member when her youngest daughter attended JKCP for two years, and she was a stay-at-home mom with her four children for 15 years before she began teaching. She feels it was a blessing to be involved with her own children’s education through a Co-Op, and loves working with families to ensure that their child’s first school experience is a fun, creative, challenging, and loving experience as well. Alice has been a member of John Knox Church since 2000.

 

Kathie Hammer

Director Emeritus

Kathie joined the staff of John Knox Co-op preschool in 1972 and became director in 1980. She retired from JKCP in 2012. Mrs. Hammer took an active role in guiding and developing her students socially, emotionally, physically and academically. She keeps current by being part of the Las Positas Advisory Board, the Dublin Unified School District Advisory Board and with an active membership in Director of the Valley.