ECLC Staff

Director, Janie Charlton | Read Bio Assistant Director, Michelle Hill | Read Bio Chef, Dana Wise| Bio | Weekly Menu ECLC Teachers Red Room Teacher, Sheryl Walter | Bio | Schedule Yellow Room Teacher, Sarah Smith| Bio | Schedule Blue Room Morning Teacher, Colleen Feeney-Griffith | Bio | Schedule Blue Room Afternoons/Afterschool, Donna Allocca | Bio | Schedule Afternoons/Outdoor, Susan Lillquist | Bio Rainbow Center Teachers Green Room - Toddlers, Melinda Ledgard | Bio | Schedule Purple Room - Infants, Diana Engles | Bio | Schedule Purple Room - Infants, Lana Wray| Bio | Schedule

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Sheryl Walter - Red Room

Teaching Experience:

Three years at Kittitas County Head Start
Substitute Teacher in Yakima
First year as ECLC Red Room teacher

Background:

Me, my husband and 2 daughters have lived in Ellensburg for six years

Education:

B.A. in Anthropology from Western Washington University (1990)
B.A. in Elementary Ed from Central Washington University (1997)

Philosophy:

I believe that a preschool setting should provide experiences that are engaging and encourage free exploration. Play is an important activity that has enormous impact on a on a child's development.

In my classroom:

Children in the Red Room will be encouraged to explore, create, solve problems and have positive interaction with their peers and adults.

Coming into my classroom parents will see:

Children engaged in a variety o fhands-on activities that are age appropriate and based on the children's interests and needs.

My goals are:

For the children to gain skills in various areas; social, self-help, math and language. I want them to have a positve experience and feel excited to come to school every day!

Susan Lillquist - Afternoon/Outdoor Specialist

Teaching Experience:

Fourteen years public school teaching, physical education, elementary vocal music, reading, math and health.

Background:

Born in Mt. Vernon WA, where my parents continue to reside. I have one older sister and one younger brother. I was married but now am divorced and I have two adult sons. I live in Ellensburg.

Education:

B.A. in Physical Education from WWU.
Fifth year in Elementary education from WWU.
M. Ed from University of Portland in Educational leadership and supervision.
Numerous university courses taken from EWU, CWU, and SPU.

Philosophy:

All children can learn and have talent. All children need attention and positive experiences in all areas of learning and life.

In my classroom:

Are engaged in discussions, projects, problem solving, skills practices, exploring, and performances.

My goals are:

To teach a variety of subjects, skills, and communication using achievement targets of knowledge, skill, reasoning, performance, and product.
To learn Spanish and ASL.

Colleen Feeney-Griffith - Blue Room (mornings)

Teaching Experience:

This is my 35th year working with young children and families in a variety of roles and classroom settings. I have two grown children and three grandchildren. This is my fourth year working at the ECLC.

Background:

I have worked in parent cooperative preschool when my children were young, then moved on to teaching and directing at a community college child care program, a corporate sponsored program, ECEAP, and finally opened my own school which operated for 12 years until my husband and I moved to Ellensburg.

Education:

I have a master's degree in early childhood education, curriculum and instruction; I have also attended and presented many continuing education classes and taught ECE classes at a community college for 10 years. I enjoy continuing to learn and stay current in the field.

Philosophy:

I believe that young children are born "programmed to learn". They have an innate curiosity and drive to figure out their world. They do this best through hands-on investigation with concrete materials, social interaction with peers and supportive, caring grown-ups to help them be successful in their play and learning.

In my classroom children:

Will experience a wide variety of materials, activities, and skills, and concepts, participate with a community of friends, and develop positive self-esteem and responsibility.

Coming into my classroom parents will see/observe:

Children playing individually or in small groups throughout the activity centers in the classroom; building bocks, playing pretend, writing, drawing, painting, and reading. "Teachers" will be at the children's level, leading a project or game, supporting the children's ideas or helping them be successful with a planned project or activity.

My goals are:

For all children to grow in confidence and skills and concepts appropriate for their individual time-line for development; to be supportive of individual differences and needs while leading our class group as a whole toward learning, positive self-control, and feeling of competence in a school setting.

Donna Allocca - Blue Room (afternoons & after school)

Teaching Experience:

Jefferson-Lincoln Elementary School, Centralia, WA. 1974-2004; classroom teacher, grades 2 & 3
Kittitas County Headstart, Ellenburg, WA. 2005-2007; classroom teacher, preschool.

Background:

Early Childhood Education Major, Elementary Education Minor

Education:

Ellensburg High School, 1970 graduate
CWU, 1974 graduate + 1977 & 1983 grad work

Philosophy:

I have great respect for children, and am intrigued by the unique learning styles inherent to each individual. Because I believe that learning should be a joyful adventure, I have always viewed teaching as an art rather than a science. While I believe that a degree of structure is necessary in educating young children, I also believe in each student's right to be oneself within that structure.

In my classroom children:

I join Colleen's storytime at 10:30, then transition with the students to outside activities. Lunch is at 11:30, followed by another outside time. At 1 p.m., then children and I transition to rest time. As students wake up, there may be a time to work on individualized activities until snacktime at 2:45. After 3 p.m. some students continue to rest, some go home, and others play outside. After school children arrive at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. to enjoy Blue Room activities..

Coming into my classroom parents will see/observe:

..children engaged in the joy, adventure, and personal rewards of learning - through individual or small-group activities of their choice.

My goals are:

To involve students in fun, creative, and challenging learning projects based on their individual interests and styles.

Melinda Ledgard- Toddler

Teaching Experience:

Preschool teacher (4-5 y.o.)
After-school adventures teacher (kndg. - 3rd)
Home school teacher (pre-k-6th)

Background:

I've been married for 13 years, and have 3 sons and 2 daughters. I love quilting, and being involved in my children's sports and activities.

Education:

I graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Family and Consumer Science in 1996.

Philosophy:

To teach is to love. To love is to teach.

In my classroom children:

Will get a variety of experiences to help foster their social, emotional, physical, and educational growth.

Coming into my classroom parents will see:

Children learning through everyday experiencing. We sing, dance, read and play. Having fun and learning are fused together. "Teachable Moments" are the greatest opportunity for staff to help a child discover something new about themselves, or the world around them.

My goals are:

To help each child feel safe, confident, secure, and capable.

Sarah Smith- Yellow Room

Teaching Experience:

2 years, K-8 substitute teacher
6 years, Family home childcare provider/preschool teacher
3 years, preschool teacher at Kittitas County Head Start/ECEAP
First year as lead teacher in Yellow Room at ECLC

Background:

I graduated from CWU and have lived in Ellenburg for almost 15 years. During that time I have worked with children in several capacities both through employment and volunteer opportunities. I also have 3 children of my own who inspire me on a daily basis.

Education:

B.A. in Education, Central Washington University.
Elementary Education Major
Early Childhood Education Minor
Library Media Endorsement

Philosophy:

I believe that younge children learn best through play. They need to feel free to explore, experiment, and interact with the world around them in order to learn from it.

In my classroom children:

Have many developmentally appropriate activities to choose from
Parents are always welcome to participate
I am always available for questions or concerns

Coming into my classroom parents will see/observe:

Children actively engaged in a variety of learning activities
Children learning and utilizing appropriate problem solving skills
Children learning self help skills

My goals are:

To provide a safe, comfortable learning environment
To help children grow socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively
To meet the needs of each individual child to the best of my ability

Diana Engels - Infants

Teaching Experience:

In nursing I did patient teaching and analysis training and tutoring to other students. My three oldest children I home schooled & taught them to read etc. I've also taught cooking classes, World History, and Water color. I love to help children discover the world around them.

Background:

I've been a stay at home mom for about 18 years. I've worked in Nursing about 3 years and went to Continuing ed for 8 yrs. I've been a memeber of La Leche League and advocated for breast feeding. I had the pleasure of cooking for ECLC for 2 1/2 years and I have done catering for groups of 400.

Education:

My schooling consists of 60 credits in Nursing. Stars in nutrition, Early Childhood growth & development through nursing & Continuing ed in nursing including music for babies & toddlers. I've read books on child care and attended La Leche siminars with Dr. William Sears.

Philosophy:

Discovering each child's manner of learning is a priority with me. I want to encourage learning in infants by talking, singing, and providing objects of interest. To me each toddler and infant needs some undivided attention many times throughout the day for security & learning. I try to give them this without partiality and without making them dependant. In other words; nurturing.

In my classroom children:

Are presented with information and skill-building that is appropriate according to their age

Coming into my classroom parents will see/observe:

Positive reinforcement, showing by example.
Children exploring picking up toys & playing, learning about animals, colors, songs, the outdoors, sounds, having fun & learning responsibility - ie not hitting, being friends, sharing.

My goals are:

To create an environment for each child to grow physically and mentally to their potential.
Exploring on their own in a safe place is what I believe brings this about. Nutrition, cleanliness, activities, planned & unplanned are some of the building blocks I intend to use.

Lana Wray- Rainbow Center

Teaching experience:

In nursing I did patient teaching and analysis training and tutoring to other students. My three oldest children I home schooled and taught them to read etc. I’ve also taught cooking classes, world history, and water color. I love to help children discover the world around them.

Background:

I’ve been a stay at home mom for about 18 years. I’ve worked in nursing about 3 years and went to continuing ed for 8 years. I’ve been a member of LeLeche league and advocate for breast feeding. I had the pleasure of cooking for ECLC for 2.5 years and I have done catering for groups of 400.

Education:

My schooling consists of 60 credits in nursing. Stars in nutrition, Early Childhood Growth and Development through nursing and continuing Ed in nursing including music for babies and toddlers. I’ve read many books on child care and attended Le Leche seminars with Dr. William Sears.

Philosophy:

Discovering each child’s manner of learning is a priority with me. I want to encourage learning with infants and by talking, singing and providing objects of interest. To me each toddler and infant needs some undivided attention many times throughout the day for security and learning. I try to give them this without partiality and without making them dependent.

In my classroom…

With the infants there is a wide range of development so I try to present information to them that is appropriate.
1-3 months focusing, cooing and physical needs
3-6 months grasping, moving, turning over, recognition of name
6-9 months object pick up, balls, toys, crawling and pulling up
9-12 months becoming mobile, talking and sounds, understanding of needs and wants and how to obtain this through communicating.
12-24 Becoming independent, feeding self, playing with others, own space, others space, music, dancing, being kind, sharing and clean up. (Taking care of their surroundings)

Coming into my classroom parents will see…

Positive reinforcement, showing by example, children exploring, picking up toys and playing, learning about animals, colors, songs, the outdoors, sounds, having fun and learning responsibility, being friends and sharing.

My goals are…

To create an environment for each child to grow physically and mentally to their potential.

Exploring on their own in a safe place is what I believe brings this about. Nutrition, cleanliness, activities (planned and unplanned) are some of the building blocks I tend to use.

Dana Wise- ECLC Chef

Experience:

I was a stay at home mom for about 10 years before going to work at the public school my children attended. I was employed there for 7 years,as the kitchen manager, preparing and serving students grades K-8.

Background:

I chose Dental Assisting as my career and worked in that field for about 5 years. I found that school food service was the best opportunity while I had children in school. My husband, Matt and I moved here in 2006 from Kansas. We have 3 children, Kalie, Jadon and Kyra.

Education:

Certified Vocational School, Dental Assisting Kansas Nutritional Assoc. continuing Education Classes, Certified

Philosophy:

Preparing quality nutritional meals for growing children that will also help then in their learning process.

In my kitchen…………

I try to encourage proper procedures of sanitation, food preparation and a variety of menu choices.

Coming into my kitchen parents will see...

You should be greeted with the aroma of freshly made breakfast, lunch or maybe its snack!!

My goals are...

Meeting the dietary needs of the children. Introducing new menu items. Teaching the children healthy food choices.