Staff
The staff at John Knox Co-op Preschool has many years of experience teaching at the preschool level. They are knowledgeable, loving and supportive to the children, parents, and families. Many of our staff members are former parents and board members of the school. The teacher/student ratio is 1:4 to 1:5 depending on the class.
Leslie James
Director / Teacher
Leslie joined the staff at JKCP in 1999 as a teacher. She became Assistant Director/teacher in 2005 and Director in 2012. Leslie believes in an integrated curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and encourages children to grow socially, emotionally, physically and academically through discovery and play. She is a member of the California Kindergarten Association and Directors of the Valley to keep updated about new regulations, programs and standards. She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Food Science/chemistry from UC Davis in 1981 and took her ECE and Director’s classes at DVC and Las Positas. She loves teaching and encouraging the children’s imagination and discovery especially through science. She has been a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church since 1992. Leslie appreciates working in a Co-op environment because she gets to know not only the children but also their parents. The talents of all the parents of JKCP really enrich our school. Leslie has a daughter who attended JKCP in 1995 & 1996 and a son who attended JKCP in 1997 & 1998 and enjoyed working on the JKCP Board when her children attended. Her outstanding skills are complemented by our additional teachers who bring love, care, and knowledge to our school.
Stacy Omo
Assistant Director/Teacher
Stacy began teaching at John Knox Preschool in 2001. She became Assistant Director in 2012. She earned her degree from Heald Business College and received her Early Childhood Education degree from Las Positas College. Stacy has been a part of the Co-op family since the oldest of her three boys began attending in 1999. She was on the Parent Board while her sons attended the Co-op as well. Stacy is a giving teacher who encourages the children’s development through crafts and play. In addition to her wonderful classroom demeanor, Stacy’s strong organizational skills have made her an asset to JKCP. Stacy and her husband are also involved in many athletic organizations in the community and her husband and many members of her family also attended JKCP when they were children.
Rebecca Ferraro
Teacher
Rebecca began teaching at John Knox Co-op Preschool in 2018. She earned her teaching credential from San Jose State University. She has also received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and has taken Childhood Development classes. Rebecca taught at Amber Elementary School for two years. She has also been a substitute teacher at San Jose Unified for a few years. Rebecca’s son attended JKCP in the 2017-2018 school year and she instantly fell in love with the school. Rebecca enjoys teaching, and she loves watching her students learn and grow. She looks forward to working with both the students and the parents. Mrs. Ferraro has a positive attitude and a big heart.
Lori Gagnon
Teacher
Lori began teaching at JKCP in 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College of California and her Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from San Francisco State University. Lori taught at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA for 2 years. She has also been a substitute teacher at San Leandro Unified and taught parenting classes as a parent educator for Clorox. More recently, Lori has been assisting in the administrative duties of a medical eye center in the Tri-Valley. Lori is a mother of 4 and considers herself to still be an at-home parent. All 4 of her children attended JKCP with her oldest beginning in 2008. She was on the board in a variety of positions while her children attended the Co-op. She and her husband were looking for a school experience that encouraged family participation, exploration, and lifelong learning and creativity. They believe they found it at JKCP! Lori is a patient and thoughtful teacher who encourages students to be creative, try new things, be excited to learn and have fun, and to be a good and kind friend. She works with students with the understanding that they are all unique and valuable. Lori is also welcoming of families and encourages them to take an active part in their child’s education. She likes to communicate to parents that the greatest gifts they can give their child are the gifts of their love and time. She loves the quote by Mr. Fred Rogers, “The greatest gifts we can give our children are invisible.”
Danika Balland
Teacher
Danika has been part of the co-op community since 2011. All three of her children attended JKCP and she served on the Board for two years. As her time as a co-op parent came to a close, the idea of being a staff member took root. She had already witnessed the positive impact the co-op has on families in our community – what better way to contribute to her community than through joining the staff! Danika holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and has also taught high school for three years. Mrs. Balland began a permanent teaching position at JKCP in 2021. She genuinely loves children and the opportunity to help them experience the wonder and joy of life during their early education.
Chrissy Rivas
Teacher
Chrissy joined John Knox Co-op Preschool as a parent from 2016 through 2020 when her two daughters were students here. She began teaching at JKCP in 2021, substituting from time to time when her nephew was enrolled in our Pre-K class!
Debbie Costa
Teacher
Debbie began teaching at John Knox Co-op Preschool in 2023. Debbie started her journey with JKPC in 2021-2022 when her youngest son attended. She was excited as a parent with childcare knowledge to be working back in the classroom with such knowledgeable and caring teachers and director. Debbie is hard working, organized, works well with others, and very thoughtful. Debbie earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from Gavilan College in Gilroy. Then received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts for Elementary teaching from San Jose State University. She acquired her Child Development Teacher’s permit through the state of California. Before becoming a mom to two boys, she taught in a before and after school program Child Development Center Inc. at Nordstrom School in a preschool for two years in Morgan Hill. She got married and moved to Dublin. She worked in Livermore at KinderCare for two years as a Pre-K teacher in her own classroom. She then worked at Acorn Learning Center in San Ramon for two years in a three’s classroom with her co-teacher. She is pleased to work with you and your child to fulfill your child’s educational needs. She believes the learning process of each child is unique. Education through play, and interaction with peers is the core foundation for children to experience a love for learning.
JKCP Emeritus Staff:
Alice Richards
Asst. Director / Teacher Emeritus
Alice taught at John Knox Co-op Preschool for 15 years beginning in 2006. She was also our Assistant Director for 6 of those years. Alice was a Co-op parent and Board member when her youngest daughter attended JKCP. She felt it was a blessing to be involved with her own children’s education through co-ops, and loved working with families to ensure that their child’s first school experience was fun, creative, and a wonderful experience as well. Mrs. Richards was a patient and attentive teacher, and was encouraging to the children. She has been a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church since 2000.
Teri Judin
Teacher Emeritus
Teri began teaching at John Knox Co-op Preschool in 2012, and taught with us for 10 years. Before that, Teri was a co-op parent and JKCP Board member for three years while her youngest son attended JKCP. Teri felt that being a part of the co-op as both a parent and a teacher was such an enriching experience, and believes the co-op experience at JKCP is creative and fun for teachers, students, and parents alike. Mrs. Judin was a gifted teacher who helped students work together and join in activities.
Cindy Sersig
Teacher Emeritus
Cindy began a substitute teaching position at JKCP in 2017 when her youngest son was a student here, and continued in a permanent teaching position until 2019. Cindy felt that the JKCP play-based environment provides a wonderful experience for establishing the first building blocks to a child’s education. Mrs. Sersig was an approachable and thoughtful teacher, who was appreciated by the children and staff alike.
Courtney Corkery
Teacher Emeritus
Courtney began teaching at John Knox Co-op Preschool in 2016. Before joining our staff, her three sons attended JKCP, and she enjoyed working in the classroom and serving on the JKCP Board during those years. Courtney believes in the strong educational foundation that the Co-op experience provides. Mrs. Corkery was a very warm and positive teacher.
Ann Harper
Teacher Emeritus
Ann began teaching at John Knox Co-op Preschool in 2014. She was a substitute teacher at the co-op for 5 years, after which she joined us in a permanent teaching position. Ann enjoyed teaching at a co-op preschool, as she loved working with parents as well as the children. Ann believes in the play-based environment that JKCP offers, and she particularly enjoyed having conversations with the children to learn what they are thinking, learning, and imagining.
Kathie Hammer
Director Emeritus
Kathie joined the staff of John Knox Co-op preschool in 1972 and became the director in 1980. She retired from JKCP in 2012. Kathie took an active role in guiding and developing her students socially, emotionally, physically and academically. Mrs. Hammer fostered the continued growth of the Co-op and developed a wonderful legacy for past and future Co-op families.
JKCP 50th Anniversary 04/30/2017