April Wade, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

Martha Katko, Business Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maureen Connolly (Ms. Mo), Curriculum & Training Coordinator

 

 

Heather Kossar, Asst. Director &

Head Teacher,  Room 1 (3  years old)

I am originally from Frostburg, Maryland, a small town in the middle of nowhere.  I attended grade school, high school, and college in Maryland.  I met my husband in the summer of 2006 and were were married a year later.  I moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky to be with him where he was serving in the US Army.  My husband completed two tours overseas and I pursued my career in early childhood development.  I was employed at the Fort Knox Child Development Center as a Program Assistant and 18 months later was promoted to Lead of a Preschool Classroom.  Following my husband’s last tour overseas, he was honorably discharged, and we moved to New Mexico, his home state.

My career as an Early Childhood Educator was a career choice and did not happen by fate alone.  My inspiration and drive came from my third grade teacher, Mrs. Ashby.  When I was in third grade my father passed away on Halloween night.  A couple months later, the class had a writing assignment: to write to Santa or our parents asking for one specific present for Christmas.  The one thing I wanted most, but could not have, was my father.  I went up to Mrs. Ashby and asked her “what do you do if what you want, you can’t have?”  She didn’t say anything and gave me a big hug.  The next day she gave me a journal, where I wrote letters to my father to help me through the grieving process.  Mrs. Ashby taught me that writing can be therapy, which greatly impacted my life.  She touched my life and I want to do the same as an educator.

Diane Calabaza-Jenkins,  Teacher,Room 1 (3  years old)

I began working with the LFPS in 1992.  My favorite years were spent teaching the 2 year olds which I did for 10 years.  I am currently head teacher in room 1.  I graduated from the University of Albuquerque as a Medical Records Technician.  Then I completed the teacher education program earning a Child Development Associate degree.  I have continued taking courses to keep my teaching license current.

I am a Native American from the Pueblo of San Ildefonso.  I live with my husband John and we have three children: Kimberly who is married, Kevin is an army medic, and Hollie who works in Santa Fe at Ten Thousand Waves.  We are proud grandparents to Aleister, 2 years old, and Madison, 8 months.  In my spare time, I enjoy making pottery, crocheting, sewing, basket making, weaving, reading, and traveling.  I enjoy any outdoor activity with my husband, especially camping and spending time with family and friends.  I also love cooking and would like to create a cookbook for LFPS.

My favorite thing to do with children is reading stories and playing with them outdoors.  The thing I like best about Little Forest is the families we serve and the teachers who work so hard for them.  I truly love being a part of the children’s growth and development.  Since the children are in our care most of their waking hours, I want to be an important part of making their environment safe, stable, and nurturing.

Stephanie Volz, Aide, Room 1 (3  years old)

I was born and raised in Los Alamos.  I attended LFPS as a child and then graduated LAHS in 2007.  I attended NMSU in Las Cruces and studied Digital Media Arts from 2007-2009.   To gain further experience, my mother and I started our own business, called “Designs by Steph” making t-shirts, mugs, decals, etc.  Besides having a passion for design, I’ve always enjoyed working with kids.

I am the baby in the family, having one older sister, and I’ve always wanted a younger sibling.  I feel that working with kids partially makes up for that, and I absolutely love watching them learn, grow, laugh, and play.  I started working with kids when I was 17 as a junior in high school.  I worked with K-6 at the after school program and summer camps before going to college and worked there for another two years before starting at LFPS.  This school is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and the kids never fail to put a smile on my face.

Room 2 (3-5 years old)

Annemarie Brown, Head Teacher

Annemarie joined the Little Forest Playschool staff in the fall of 2010. She brings 10 years of teaching experience to the school that varies in levels from preschool to first grade; the majority of that time has been spent at the preschool level.   She has a B.S. in Education and holds a current NM K-8 teaching license.

Annemarie believes an important key to a successful learning experience for any child at any level is developing parent-teacher relationship through open verbal communication.    Room 2 is unique in that parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the classroom as an assistant for the morning.   This allows for a positive rapport to be built between the staff in Room 2 and the parents.

Alexis Croce, Aide

Jenni Gaffney, Aide

 

 

 

 

 

Room 3 (2-3 years old)

 Barbara Cruz, Head Teacher

I am a certified Child Development Associate who has been working with young children at LFP for 17 years. I enjoy working with the 2-3 year olds.  Everyday is an exciting day because the children learn something new.  There is never a dull moment in Room 3.

Over the past 17 years, I’ve met many wonderful children and their families.  I have many fond memories of my teaching years here at Little Forest.  Past, present, and future kids to come, I will always love them and Little Forest!

 

 

Ursula Curran, Aide

I am from San Juan and Santa Clara Pueblos, NM.  I was born and raised in and around Espanola, NM.

I came to Little Forest Playschool after being a stay-at-home mom with my son, Demitri, for eight years and doing pottery. I still do pottery, but I wanted something that would get me out of the house. I have always loved children, so I would babysit from time to time, which gave me some preparation to work with children. When I was given the opportunity in 2009 to come to Little Forest Playschool I was ecstatic, because I was given my chance to really work with children.

I have worked in each and every classroom, and with each and every head teacher, giving me a lot of experience and teaching techniques.  Currently I am in room 3, which has been a very on-your-feet experience, but I would not leave it for the world. I have fallen in love with the school, kids and the community of Little Forest Playschool.

Room 4 (3 and 4 years old)

Esperanza Archuleta, Teacher

Esperanza C. Archuleta was born and raised in northern New Mexico. After graduating from McCurdy High School in 1995, she attended Northern New Mexico College where she obtained a Degree in Teacher Preparation in 2005. She has ten years experience working in early childhood education here in northern New Mexico starting  as a home day-care provider, working at Los Niños Kindergarten, Las Cumbres, and currently a head teacher at Little Forest Playschool.

Judith Bjarke-McKenzie, Teacher

Judith Bjarke-McKenzie grew up in Los Alamos.  I have taught for 32 years overall and 23 of those were at Barranca Mesa Elementary.  I have my Master’s degree in elementary and early childhood education.  I have a reading endorsement as well.  I love children and came out of retirement to work at Little Forest.

Drew Wyman, Aide

Drew was born in Las Vegas and moved to Los Alamos just before turning 6.  He has lived in Los Alamos ever since.  He has tried his hand at multiple sports and even gymnastics, finally sticking to baseball and martial arts.  When he reached high school his interests changed and he became enamored with computers and video games and eventually entered the computer science program at New Mexico Tech.  During high school, he was a member of LAHS NTROTC and even had the privilege of serving as a platoon commander.  Now he is pursuing a double major in English and Education hoping to become a high school creative writing teacher.

He loves being around children and engaging them in play.  Having many young cousins and experience baby sitting, he has realized that being with kids is one of the greatest joys one can experience.