Our Staff

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 eighth year at Bonny Doon Community Preschool. Over the course of my time with BDCP I have enjoyed both administrating and teaching in the program. 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.  In 2009 I was honored and privileged to become a California Mentor teacher.  This distinction enables me to provide a site to students studying ECE at Cabrillo to complete their practicum at our school, under my tutelage. Prior to my time at BDCP, 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 13) and Jack (age 10).

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

Brook Grube, Teacher

My name is Brooklynn Grube (Brook for short).  I was born and raised in Felton. After graduation high school in 2001,  I attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Ca.  I graduated in 2005 with a BA in Developmental Psychology.  During my time at Cal Poly I spent two quarters as an intern for PEEP (Preschool Early Education Program) which sparked my interest for working with young children. 

After college I returned home and found a job through the City of Scotts Valley in the recreation department working in the after school program.  After one year working with school aged children I decided to pursue a position at a preschool.  I was hired at Rose Blossom Nursery School in Aptos.  While at Rose Blossom I was trained in Non-Violent Communication (NVC).  The purpose of NVC at a preschool is to ensure each child is respected and heard during times of need and conflict. Creating the space patient, calm communication helps young children express their needs and feelings.  After 2 years at Rose Blossom and 2 years at A Child’s Connection in Scott’s Valley I have found Bonny Doon Community Preschool to be a great fit.

Currently I live on the West Side of Santa Cruz with my husband,  our dog Dazy and our cat Gato.  I enjoy gardening and spending time with friends and family in my spare time.  I am thrilled to have found a school that values children’s needs,  is aware of the developing person and takes time to foster the growth of each individual.  I look forward to learning and growing as a teacher and person while here at BDCP.

Kate Stone, Teacher

My name is Kate Stone.  I was born in New York but found there to be no better place to be than here in the mountains of Santa Cruz.  Before this city mouse became a country critter, I studied the arts at North Carolina School of the Arts and received my BFA in Theatrical Production.  I spent a number of years traveling the country doing television and theatrical scenic painting and props. I worked for a number of years at UCSC as the Paint Charge for the Shakespeare festival and on my journey I discovered my love of teaching.

I have been practicing and studying early childhood education for the past three years.  Working in Montessori environments as well as Living Earth Preschool in Santa Cruz.  I have a genuine enthusiasm for creative teaching.   I am dedicated to creating highly motivated classrooms full of learning and creativity. By providing hands on creative projects that allow children to explore and create, I hope to give every child the opportunity to express themselves in their work.  My goal is to offer individual and collaborative support with positive encouragement to ensure that each child succeeds.

Currently I live in Bonny Doon with my wonderful partner Bey and our exuberant red dog Jupiter. We love it here among the redwoods and find new adventures every day. I am so excited to be working alongside such wonderful teachers, in such an amazing environment and am looking forward to this brilliant new year

 Myriam Tjioe, Teacher (currently on leave)

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!