OUR TEACHERS
Melissa Bernovich - 2’s, 2.5/3’s and Parent/Tot Teacher
Melissa began teaching at Northpoint in 2009. Both of her children attended classes at Northpoint Cooperative Preschool starting with the Bates Infant/Toddler classes and ending with Pre-K. As an active member of the Co-op she chaired Membership, Auction and served as a Class Representative. Her most enjoyable experiences were the times spent in the classrooms with the teachers, parents, and the kids. In previous years, Melissa worked for Bates as an Early Childhood Educator in their Parent Infant/Toddler classes. In the classroom, she brings stimulating sensory experiences utilizing music and movement activities that keep the younger children interested. Above all, she believes that preschool is a place to practice social interaction and that it truly benefits a child in these early years. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys baking, travel, reading, gardening, and watching various sports.
Melissa began teaching at Northpoint in 2009. Both of her children attended classes at Northpoint Cooperative Preschool starting with the Bates Infant/Toddler classes and ending with Pre-K. As an active member of the Co-op she chaired Membership, Auction and served as a Class Representative. Her most enjoyable experiences were the times spent in the classrooms with the teachers, parents, and the kids. In previous years, Melissa worked for Bates as an Early Childhood Educator in their Parent Infant/Toddler classes. In the classroom, she brings stimulating sensory experiences utilizing music and movement activities that keep the younger children interested. Above all, she believes that preschool is a place to practice social interaction and that it truly benefits a child in these early years. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys baking, travel, reading, gardening, and watching various sports.
Rona Kahue - 3’s, Mixed Age, and Pre-K Teacher
Rona Kahue joined the Co-op in September of 1998 as the teacher for the 3’s, Mixed Age, and Pre-K classes. Rona’s educational background includes a BA degree in Early Childhood Education and a 5th year of Special Education courses. She has over 40 years of experience in the early childhood field, including teaching 2-year-olds to school age children, lead teacher in a special needs module, educational specialist, and assistant director of a military child development center. Rona is originally from Hawaii and brings a culturally diverse curriculum to the classroom and implements a developmentally appropriate program. Her innovative approach to teaching along with her heart for children is exemplary. She has three sons of her own and enjoys spending time with her new grandchildren!
Rona Kahue joined the Co-op in September of 1998 as the teacher for the 3’s, Mixed Age, and Pre-K classes. Rona’s educational background includes a BA degree in Early Childhood Education and a 5th year of Special Education courses. She has over 40 years of experience in the early childhood field, including teaching 2-year-olds to school age children, lead teacher in a special needs module, educational specialist, and assistant director of a military child development center. Rona is originally from Hawaii and brings a culturally diverse curriculum to the classroom and implements a developmentally appropriate program. Her innovative approach to teaching along with her heart for children is exemplary. She has three sons of her own and enjoys spending time with her new grandchildren!
Hilary Madsen - 3’s Teacher
Hilary Madsen will join the Co-op in September of 2020 as the teacher for the 3’s class. Hilary’s educational background includes a BA in Communication from the University of Hawaii and she’s currently working towards an AA in Early Childhood Education and Development with Bates Technical College. She has over 15 years of child care and early learning experience, including experience at three different cooperative preschools. Most recently she’s been deeply engaged in Northpoint with her two young children, heading our Special Events committee and doing her teaching practicum in the 2’s classes. Hilary’s approach to teaching is play-based, emergent, individualized and multi-sensory, with an emphasis on social-emotional learning. She also has a special interest in nature exploration and sharing a love of literature with her students and their parents. Hilary has one school-aged child and another at Northpoint, and in her freetime she enjoys skiing, surfing, gardening, hiking, and camping.
Hilary Madsen will join the Co-op in September of 2020 as the teacher for the 3’s class. Hilary’s educational background includes a BA in Communication from the University of Hawaii and she’s currently working towards an AA in Early Childhood Education and Development with Bates Technical College. She has over 15 years of child care and early learning experience, including experience at three different cooperative preschools. Most recently she’s been deeply engaged in Northpoint with her two young children, heading our Special Events committee and doing her teaching practicum in the 2’s classes. Hilary’s approach to teaching is play-based, emergent, individualized and multi-sensory, with an emphasis on social-emotional learning. She also has a special interest in nature exploration and sharing a love of literature with her students and their parents. Hilary has one school-aged child and another at Northpoint, and in her freetime she enjoys skiing, surfing, gardening, hiking, and camping.
Megan West - Mixed Age, Pre-K Teacher
Megan West will join the Co-op in September of 2020 as the teacher for the Mixed Age and Pre-K classes. Megan’s educational background includes a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and a Teaching Certification from UW Tacoma. She brings 16 years of teaching experience with her, having previously taught elementary school in the Franklin Pierce School District and most recently as the Pre-K teacher for Seabury School. Megan’s teaching philosophy is grounded in play-based, hands-on learning with a particular interest in project work guided by the interests of the children. A longtime Browns Point community member and mom of two school-aged children, Megan first got involved with Northpoint when her daughter attended the 3’s and Pre-K program. Her interests outside of the classroom include hiking, running, and watching her children play sports.
Megan West will join the Co-op in September of 2020 as the teacher for the Mixed Age and Pre-K classes. Megan’s educational background includes a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and a Teaching Certification from UW Tacoma. She brings 16 years of teaching experience with her, having previously taught elementary school in the Franklin Pierce School District and most recently as the Pre-K teacher for Seabury School. Megan’s teaching philosophy is grounded in play-based, hands-on learning with a particular interest in project work guided by the interests of the children. A longtime Browns Point community member and mom of two school-aged children, Megan first got involved with Northpoint when her daughter attended the 3’s and Pre-K program. Her interests outside of the classroom include hiking, running, and watching her children play sports.
Sandy Manthou - Bates Technical College Representative and Instructor
Sandy serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors and attends our classes monthly to observe and share her valuable professional insights. She also facilitates parent discussion groups both on and off campus. Sandy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education with over 25 years of experience, and has been a Bates ECEAP Director (ECE programs for families with limited incomes) for several years, previously having taught in the ECEAP program. She is passionate about parent education and supporting families. She is a great listener, a resourceful, skilled and confident problem solver, has a great sense of humor and loves working with our teachers and parents. Sandy grew up in the Browns Point area and still has many ties here.
Sandy serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors and attends our classes monthly to observe and share her valuable professional insights. She also facilitates parent discussion groups both on and off campus. Sandy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education with over 25 years of experience, and has been a Bates ECEAP Director (ECE programs for families with limited incomes) for several years, previously having taught in the ECEAP program. She is passionate about parent education and supporting families. She is a great listener, a resourceful, skilled and confident problem solver, has a great sense of humor and loves working with our teachers and parents. Sandy grew up in the Browns Point area and still has many ties here.
