Teachers
A Message From The Teachers
The North Gower Cooperative Nursery School has long been a place where the wonder of learning happens daily for all those who are a part of the program: the children, teachers, and parents. We are all learning from each other constantly.
The children are like little scientists, observing faces and body language and noticing all that happens around them. The world of toddlers and preschoolers is one of extraordinary brain activity. When children are engaged in purposeful play they are discovering, creating, improvising, and expanding their learning. We teachers at NGCNS do work around a theme for each week or season as a place to start, however our job as educators is to facilitate play based learning and we do this daily and on an ever changing level, taking the children’s lead.
Evidence is accumulating that when there is an emphasis on social and emotional learning, with a special focus on positive adult-child interactions, children do well. We work hard here to ensure that there is time spent with each child in a positive, stimulating and safe environment. As an example, there is much joy gained in the moment where a child recognizes their name, or masters the ability to write the first letter of their name. Sharing successes and helping a child to reach a goal whether it be physical, social, emotional, or cognitive, all these achievements are a wonder to witness and a privilege to be a part of.
Watching the parents in their role as a member of a cooperatively based school is inspirational.
The executive member in particular deal with many issues throughout the year. As a result of shared time and hard work, those parents that are long gone from the school have maintained friendships for many years. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to those of you in the past, as well as those of you presently who have invested so much time and energy in the school for our youngest members of society. If only every child had this kind of love and support, what a wonderful world it would be.
The teachers so appreciate the support and the respect we receive for our knowledge and expertise through our years of experience with all the different aspects of our part in the operation of the school.
We love doing our work here, and hope you choose to join us in this wonderful journey through early childhood learning.
Kate – Director/Teacher
I am thrilled to be a member of the NGCNS Cooperative unit and have thoroughly enjoyed working with families, teachers, dedicated volunteers and local community members to put my stamp on our unique school. I am a creative and artistic individual who loves to bring my passion for music and dance into the classroom. Since graduating from Algonquin College with diplomas in both Human and Community Studies and Early Childhood Education my fondness for learning has not been extinguished; I enjoy attending workshops and courses to continue my growth as a teacher and have spent many hours studying Early Literacy as well as Inclusion in the Classroom. When I am not at school I am at my rural home or cottage spending time with my hubby, my three kids and our rescue pup. My youngest attended both the JR and SR program here at NGCNS, and still asks to go back to her “fun school”. I have a love for the outdoors, books, Golden Retrievers and all things water related. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family, -Miss Kate
Melanie – Senior Program Teacher
This my third-year teaching at North Gower Co-operative Nursery School. I grew up in the Manotick and North Gower area and received my Early Childhood Education Diploma from Algonquin College, here in Ottawa. When I’m not teaching at the Nursery School, I’m at home here in North Gower with my six awesome kids. Four of whom attended the Nursery School; so, we have many fond memories of this wonderful school and I’m so, so happy to be back for another great year! – Miss Melanie
Dorothy – Junior/Senior Program Teacher
Hello! My name is Dorothy Cinnamon, known as Miss Dorothy to my students. I grew up in Oregon, USA, and as an adult moved to British Columbia where my husband and I began to raise our family. After 10 years of living there, we moved back to North Gower (his hometown), and I completed the ECE program at Algonquin. I have been working at NGCNS for 2 years now, and have had the most amazing time. I have met wonderful students and families from the area and love the sense of community in our little school. On my days off from NGCNS, I supply teach for the OCDSB and the OCSB.
I grew up in a family of 12 children and now have two boys of my own. I have always loved children and teaching, and even since high school have known I wanted to teach in some capacity. Since I was about 16 I have been involved in teaching Sunday School programs and participated as a mentor in other children and youth activity programs as well. I love early childhood teaching—it is really such a special age group to work with. The children learn so much during their first few years of life, and I love that I get to be a part of their early development through cognitive, language, movement and social/emotional teaching. I am currently pursuing my BA degree at Carleton University in order to continue my professional development as an educator.
I love all types of music, but I especially love classical. I love to sing and I love art, and I absolutely love celebrating holidays with the kids. It has been such a pleasure being at such a wonderful school and working with my fellow RECEs and the amazing parent board.
