Chester Community Preschool
Chester Community Preschool is a Windsor County Head Start program. There are two classrooms at Chester Community Preschool. Both classrooms follow the Creative Curriculum. The program has earned 5 STARS from Vermont's Step Ahead Recognition System and has achieved national accreditation through The National Association for Educating Young Children (NAEYC).
Judy Verespy
My name is Judy Verespy and this is my seventh year of teaching at Chester Community Preschool. My husband Mark and I live in Chester with our 3 wonderful kids ages 12, 13 and 15. I have a masterís degree in education, and bring to the classroom both a love of teaching and a love of learning. I am thrilled to be working with Jodie Peebles, Susan Kropp and Kathleen Karl again this year! We are proud to teach in a center that is both NAEYC accredited, and a 5-star program in the Vermont STep Ahead Recognition System.
Each day is an adventure in our school. There are many developmentally appropriate learning centers and activities for the children to learn as they play. We have a cozy book nook, a computer, a writing table, games and puzzles, a woodworking bench, a block area, a science and discovery center with 2 sensory tables, a well used art center, a music center and a dramatic play area. We rotate items in the centers often to ensure that the children are always making new discoveries. We foster independent decision making, and facilitate problem solving as children get used to sharing their space and supplies with others. Our themes are chosen based on the childrenís interests and generally last about a month. I am looking forward to a year of joy and learning here at Chester Community Preschool!
Susan Kropp
My name is Susan Kropp and I live in Chester, Vermont.~ I have two grown children and a daughter who is in the seventh grade.~ This is my eighth year with Head Start.~ I have a BA in Psychology and Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. I have had numerous trainings surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental Illness and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
I have a passion to bring nature, literacy, science, art, self discovery, music, math and empathy awareness into my classroom.~ As a classroom we work as a family, helping and encouraging each other through learning and exploring.~ I like to honor each child's uniqueness and build upon those special gifts.~ I like working with families so that their child's experience at preschool is a memorable beginning to their child's education.~ It is an honor to be a part of this spectacular educational beginning.~ I am also proud to be a part of such an amazing group of teachers at Chester Community Preschool.~
This is my second year working with my assistant Kathleen Karl. It is a joy to come to work everyday. Working with Kathleen is a wonderful experience as we make a great team.
While I am not at school I enjoy walking with my daughter and our two dogs, gardening, photography, cooking, traveling and reading.~ I love to visit the ocean and vacation in Maine every summer with my family.~
Kathleen Karl
I am Kathleen Karl.~I am a teacher assistant at Chester Community Preschool.
I received a BA in Elementary Ed from the University of Massachusetts. I have a
Masters Degree in Elementary Ed from the University of Bridgeport in CT. I have taught both second and fourth grades in Stamford, CT. I worked at Chester Andover Elementary School as a teacher assistant in a Kindergarten classroom for a year and a half before coming to Chester Community Preschool.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of such a remarkable group of teachers at Chester Community Preschool. I am extremely lucky to be working with Susan Kropp as lead teacher. She is amazing and every day is an adventure in our classroom. I find teaching preschool to be incredibly rewarding. The children are all so eager to learn and it is so exciting to be a part of that with them.
My husband and I, along with our three girls, love to camp, ride bikes, snow shoe and enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities together. We also keep busy with our "mini farm" of two dogs, three cats and seven chickens.
Jodie Peebles
My name is Jodie Peebles and this is my second year of teaching at the Chester Community Preschool. I live in Chester with my husband Jay and three children: Cooper who is 13, Caitlin who is 10 and Max who is 4. I have an Associates Degree from Champlain College and I am currently working on my Bachelor's Degree from Granite State College. I love being a part of this amazing preschool and enjoy every day that I spend with the children and their families. I feel fortunate to be working with the incredible teachers here as well! Judy, Susan and Kathleen are outstanding mentors.
When I am not working I enjoy walking, hiking, bike riding, reading, photography and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to this year and helping the kids learn and grow.
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