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2008 – 2009
Director:
Streeta Farrell
Curriculum Director:
Caroyln Lake
Junior Kindergarten Program, M,T,W& TH afternoons:
Carolyn Lake, Ellen Nishioka,
4 Year old Kindergarten Readiness Program, M-W-F mornings:
Maria Fiatarone, Jeanette Jatoft, Carolyn Lake, Farhana Naqvi
3 Year old Preschool Program, T/TH mornings:
Maria Fiatarone, Carrie Goong, Jeanette Jatoft, Jessica Semenchuk
2 Year old Preschool Program, M/W or T/TH mornings:
Carrie Goong , Rosemary Jackson
Mom’s Morning Out, T/W/TH mornings:
Lily Newton, Helen Nye
Lunch Bunch, M – F afternoons:
Maria Fiatarone, Carrie Goong, Jeanette Jatoft, , Kristina Olkhovskaya, Jessica Semenchuk
Extended Care, M-F afternoons:
Maria Fiatarone , Jeanette Jatoft
Staff Biographies
Streeta Farrell joined our staff in the spring of 2002 as a teacher to the 4 year olds. That summer she coordinated the preschool program. After another year of teaching the 4 year olds, she transitioned to teaching the 3 year olds and assisted in the office. She also continued to run the summer school program for several years as well as teach in the Junior Kindergarten classroom. In 2006, Streeta transitioned into the office full time as the Administrative Assistant, taking over as Director in 2007. Streeta completed her ECE Site Supervisor certification at DVC in 2007. She has 2 active elementary aged boys. She loves working in early childhood education and is very dedicated to WACCP.
Maria Fiatarone joined our staff in the summer of 2008. She earned her degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. She completed her Early Childhood Education at Sierra College in Tahoe. Maria has several years of teaching experience in the preschool and elementary school setting. Maria’s love for teaching is evident everyday. She is very enthusiastic, organized and joyful. When Maria is not working, she enjoys skiing, dancing and reading. We are very lucky to have Maria on our teaching staff.
Carrie Goong joined our staff in 2007 as a teacher for the 3 year olds as well as Lunch Bunch. She is currently also a teacher for our 2’s program. She completed her Early Childhood Education at DVC in 2004. She previously worked as a teacher for the 2 year olds at the Childtime preschool in Walnut Creek. Carrie brings a warm and soothing personality to WACCP.
Rosemary Jackson joined our staff in 2007 as a Moms Morning Out teacher. In 2008 she transitioned over to our 2’s preschool program. She completed her Early Childhood Education at DVC and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Behavior from USF. She worked in an after school program at the Mt. Diablo Childcare Advocate’s Holbrook Center as a teacher to the five and six year olds. She also enjoyed volunteering with Contra Costa County Library’s “Stories to Go” program for 5 years. She loves working with toddler and preschool aged children. Rosemary’s kindness and sensitivity is a welcomed asset to our staff.
Jeanette Jatoft joined our staff in 1996. Jeanette holds a B.A. degree from Nazareth College in Michigan. She has completed some Post Degree work in the Arts Department at Wayne St. University and holds a teaching credential from the State of Michigan. Jeanette has taught for 8 years in the primary grades and has worked with inner city children in various programs. She also spent many years teaching religious education. Jeanette
knows how to speak German, having spent 10 years living in Berchekesgaden. Before joining our staff, Jeanette worked at a Fresno Preschool, where she served as the Director for 2 ½ years. Jeanette facilitates our school science program and her love of children is very special.
Carolyn Lake joined our staff in 1993 as a 4 year old teacher. Carolyn has a B.S. Degree from Miami University, and also attended San Francisco State for the teaching credential program. She recently earned her site supervisor certificate from DVC. When Carolyn’s two children attended our preschool, Carolyn became involved with our school through playground helping and fundraising work. For many years Carolyn has continued to bring innovative curriculum ideas, energy and organization to our programs. Carolyn became the Curriculum Director in 2008.
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Farhana Naqvi joined our staff in 2000 as the Perceptual Motor Program teacher for the 4-year-olds. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Karachi University. Farhana also obtained a one-year certificate in Fine Arts in 1989 and completed her Early Childhood Education from DVC. She previously worked at St. Stephan’s preschool in Orinda as a Teacher’s Assistant. Farhana has a boy and a girl. Both children are graduates of Walnut Ave Preschool. Farhana brings with her a gentle spirit and love for children.
Lily Newton first came to our school in 2007 as a mother of her preschooler. Soon after, she expressed an interest in teaching and started working in our Mom’s Morning Out program. She has been the key person in developing the program into a well rounded and very popular class. She brings a special quality to her work that helps the little ones flourish. Lily has many years of experience directing the Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek Mothers Club. We are very fortunate to have Lily working at our school.
Helen Nye came to our school in 2008, on a recommendation from Lily Newton, to be a teacher in the Mom’s Morning Out program. Helen also has experience working with the Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek Mothers Club as well as training in midwifery. She is a mother to very active twin girls. Helen is a joy to have at the school. Her warm smile and cheerful disposition always makes everyone feel happy.
Ellen Nishioka joined our staff in 1993 and holds an A.S. Degree from San Francisco City College. She completed her Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement at DVC. She furthered her preschool math and science experiences through Lawrence Hall of Science. Ellen’s experiences include being a substitute teacher for Bianchi Schools, preschool-kindergarten Sunday school teacher, and Vacation Bible School Director. Ellen speaks Cantonese, which enhances communication with our bilingual families. She has a grown daughter who attended WACCP and recently became a Grandmother.
Kristina Olkhovskaya joined WACCP in the spring of 2008 as a Lunch Bunch and art teacher. She is a professional artist, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts Education from Teacher’s College in Moscow, Russia, where she was born. Kristina taught arts in pre-schools and schools for 7 years, and then founded and worked at her own Youth Arts Studio. After moving to the United States, she worked as an art teacher for the 3-12 year olds at the Berkeley Russian School and at The Lamorinda Academy of Music and Arts in Lafayette, CA. Outside of WACCP, Kristina works on her own paintings and instructs art to children whose incredible paintings have been presented on several exhibitions in Berkeley and Walnut Creek. Kristina’s passion for children is evident in her hard work and in her many innovative and unique art projects she brings to the classroom. Kristina has 2 boys, one of whom currently attends WACCP. Kristina has enabled our program to offer a very unique and specialized art component to the program.
Jessica Semenchuk joined WACCP in 2005 as a teacher to the 4 year olds as well as Lunch Bunch. After a brief absence, Jessica returned to our teaching staff after realizing how much she missed working in Early Childhood Education. She is currently a teacher to the 3 year olds as well as Lunch Bunch. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Assumption College in the Philippines, where she was born. Jessica will be completing her ECE units at DVC this year. Jessica is well organized and loves to take on new tasks. She has a great sense of humor and works hard. She has two teenage children, a boy and a girl.
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