OUR TEACHERS
Melissa Bernovich began teaching the 2's, and 2½ - 3's classes in 2009. She has lived in Browns Point since 1991, is married and has two children named Megan and Robbie. 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 the past three 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, watching various sports, and attending her kid's activities.
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 20 years of experience in the education field, working in various capacities ranging from teaching 2 year olds to school age children, working as a lead teacher in a special needs module, and serving as assistant director of a military child care center. Rona is originally from Hawaii and brings a culturally diverse curriculum to the classroom, as well as an enthusiastic approach to a well-balanced program. She has 3 boys of her own who spent most of their early years in Germany until Rona and her family moved to Washington in 1994.
Sandy Manthou, our Bates preschool coordinator, is employed by Bates Technical College. She attends our classes periodically to observe and to 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 20 years of experience. She has been a Bates ECEAP Director (ECE programs for families with limited incomes) for several years and previously taught in the ECEAP program. Sandy also has experience working with adults. With a great sense of humor, she is passionate about parent education and supporting families, a great listener, and a she is passionate about parent education and supporting families, a great listener, and a resourceful, skilled and confident problem solver, working with our teachers and with us as parents. Sandy grew up in the Browns Point area and still has many ties here.