Meet our teachers
Heidi
Morning Teacher / Director
“Early childhood is a window of opportunity for kids to practice the skills that will help them succeed in life. I want children at The Cottage to approach the world with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and healthy self-esteem.”
- Teacher Heidi
“Teacher Heidi” joined the Children’s Cottage in June 2007. She has an extensive background in preschool education. Heidi worked as a teacher at Miss Sandie’s School in Novato, as a Site Director for Head Start in Watsonville, and as center director for Emeline Child Care in Santa Cruz. Heidi is an active participant in the California Council for Parent Participation Nursery Schools (CCPPNS) as well as the local Marin chapter of CCPPNS. Her broad perspective on child development and future outcomes informs her work, as does her continued professional development in the field of early childhood education, including curriculum development, music, social and emotional development, art, and director-board relations. Heidi has two beautiful children that are both proud alumni of the Children’s Cottage. Heidi and her family know firsthand that children who come to the cottage learn to love school. She is well-trained, experienced, caring, and closely involved with each child in her care. She is the mainstay of our program for children and parents alike.
shannon
Afternoon Teacher / Director
“I want to make a difference in the emotional, social, and future academic lives of the children I teach. My goal is to help them them be confident life long learners that feel a sense of pride and a sense of wonder. I feel blessed to be a part of these most pivotal early childhood teaching years for these children and their parents.”
- Teacher Shannon
“Teacher Shannon” is an alumni parent & Teacher to the Children’s Cottage Coop. Her three sons all went through the program where she fell in love with all the cottage has to offer in children’s development. Her boys are now 14, 12, and 10. She has taught in 2 other Marin coops. Her teaching career began in in 2001 after she realized her passion for teaching was exactly the path for her life. She’s worked in a few other Marin play based programs as well. She has worked hard to be a teacher that’s well rounded and has a following of families that feel comfortable and safe with their children in her care and that means the world to her! She’s beyond thrilled to be back working with Teacher Heidi as they had worked together for years when her boys attended the program. She’s served on the board of Directors of the Cottage as well so has much knowledge of the way in which a Coop runs & thrives behind the scenes. Shannon will be one to say over and over “It is a beautiful community to be a part of” and she has felt that it’s where her teaching heart has always been. Shannon couldn’t think of a better school to be teaching at.