Philosophy
Gabriel Park Preschool
5815 SW Gillcrest Ct.
Portland, OR 97219
503-244-3518
“Play is often talked about as if it were
a relief from serious learning, but for
children play is serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood.”
— Fred Rogers
Teacher Julie’s career in the early childhood classroom began in 1994. Her first role was as a volunteer and it didn’t take long before she realized how much she loved teaching. She was drawn by the inquisitiveness and eagerness of the preschooler and that connection has only grown stronger through the years.
Julie is a graduate from the University of Oregon. Previously she was the director and a teacher at a private preschool in Raleigh Hills. As a parent of two she has been a co-op Mom for 4 years and is thrilled to continue her co-op connection at Gabriel Park Parent Preschool. Julie has taught in special needs classrooms through Northwest Regional Early Services District and uses American Sign Language vocabulary throughout her curriculum.
Julie provides a classroom rich in choices and materials. She uses the classroom environment to promote hands on learning and dedicates a significant portion of classroom time to play. As children choose activities that are relevant to them, their interest and learning increases.
“Play is the work of children. It's very serious stuff. “ (Bob Keeshan) Play builds the foundation for lifelong skills.
It is important to Julie that parents and teachers work together to make each child’s first educational experience the best it can be. She views the teacher and parents as collaborators and supporters of one another and for this reason, she treasures the co-op model.
The Gabriel Park Preschool curriculum is based on a "learn through play" philosophy. Through their natural love of play, children explore and manipulate their environment to discover and learn new things, developing and growing at their own rate. To encourage this type of learning, the GPPS classrooms are set up in Learning Centers. With the teacher’s gentle guiding, children will explore each area at their leisure. Learning Centers emphasize socialization, group skills, fine motor skills, literacy, math, science and artistic expression.
Our Environmental Philosophy
Gabriel Park Preschool supports all efforts to instruct members in environmental consciousness and responsibility. All school purchases and disposals are made with consideration for the immediate as well as long term effects they will have on our planet and our children’s future. In particular, we practice daily recycling, wash all our dishes instead of using disposable products, and grow a small garden each spring.
