Our staff is carefully selected in order to provide the best possible care and education for your child. We employ people who are warm and nurturing, who understand child development and can apply their knowledge in the classroom. Our staff is committed to meeting the developmental needs of your child in a caring and safe environment and is commited to the NAEYC Code of Ethics.   Jennifer Koski, Director/Head teacher   My name is Jennifer Koski and this will be my fourth year at Bonny Doon Community Preschool.  This year I am very excited to take on the position of Director/Head teacher. In May 2006, I earned a Bachelors degree with honors in Child Development at Mills College in Oakland.  Professionally I have worked both as a business manager for over a decade for Kinko's Inc. and with children as a nanny in Germany and Italy and a preschool teacher in the States.  I have spent the last three years working as a teacher and Assistant Director for the Bonny Doon Community Preschool. Prior to that, I spent a year teaching at Rising Star Montessori in Alameda, CA.  My husband Darius and I live in Santa Cruz with our two sons Matias (age 9) and Jack (age 6). I have spent many happy hours observing young children and have learned a great deal about how they learn social, emotional and academic skills through the play process.  I have come to understand how effectively children learn when they are given the chance to explore quality curriculum at their own pace and in their own unique style. I also learned about the need for teachers to understand each child's boundaries and limits in order to ensure both his or her emotional and physical safety. I am a firm believer in guiding children toward confident problem solving; giving them the tools to learn self-control. I have always found working with young children is a perfect fit for me and I am really enjoy working with the children in Bonny Doon. Contact: director@bdcp.org    Myriam Tjioe, Teacher My name is Myriam Tjioe. This will be my second year at Bonny Doon Community Preschool. Last year I worked as the Teacher Assistant, fine tuning my skills and developing my curriculum. This I am happy to return as a Teacher. I have always enjoyed the arts and nature. Prior to teaching I worked as a ceramist for 5 years. I also helped bring nature to inner city youth by leading them on backpacking trips in the High Sierras. Art has been my focus and now I have the opportunity to facilitate the growth of children through art and movement. I look forward to bringing more art and yoga to the classroom. In addition to preschool teaching, I currently work as a care provider for adults with disabilities. I have been attending ECE classes at Cabrillo College for the last two years. My daughter Sofia is three years old and was born in Bonny Doon. This year she will start her second year at the Bonny Doon Preschool! I have lived here in Bonny Doon for eight years where my husband, Marcel, Sofia and I still enjoy the sun! I am looking forward to this year and hope to be here for many more!   Shanna Gasparotti, Teacher My name is Shanna Gasparotti and this is my first year as a teacher at Bonny Doon Community Preschool. I have two young children ages 3 and 5. I taught preschool aged children for approximately four years before taking time to have my own children. I am returning to teaching because I am inspired by the children and want to learn and grow with them. I love Art and Circle Time and watching children flourish in a healthy environment. I look forward to continuing my journey in Early Education and developing my skills as an effective facilitator. I have lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains for many years and can't wait to help to community thrive. I look forward to working with the Bonny Doon Community!