This class fosters an atmosphere of cooperative learning. We reinforce the social skills already acquired and expand the learning skills necessary to successfully transition to Kindergarten. The teacher/student ratio is 2:18.
Sample Schedule:
9:00 – Sign in/Free Choice
9:10 – Circle Time
9:20 – Free Choice/Art Project
10:20 – Cleanup
10:30 – Circle Time
10: 40 – Wash Hands & Snack
10:55 – Independent Reading
11:00 – Outdoor Play or Gym Time
11:35 – Group Class Activity
11:45 – Pick up
lead dragonfly teacher
miss Susie
Susie brings nine years of early childcare and preschool teaching experience to share with our 4-year-old Dragonfly class. This will be Susie’s second year leading our 4s classroom. Susie also taught at Small Friends Preschool in Garden Home, where she taught both the 3s and the 4s classes on alternate schedules. Prior to teaching at Small Friends, Susie held the position of Assistant Teacher here at VCP in our 4s classroom. We are thrilled to have her return home to our VCP team, and direct our Dragonfly curriculum, preparing our 4-year-olds for Kindergarten. Shes brings with her a host of fresh and fun ideas to share with all of us. Before her preschool teaching career, Susie managed her own in-home childcare business.
Susie was born in Nashville, Tennessee and has her Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology.
In her free time, Susie enjoys camping and hiking with her husband, Brian, and her three daughters ages 11, 16 and 19. Closer to home she enjoys cooking and reading.
assistant Dragonfly teacher
miss Dani
We are happy to welcome Danielle Gross back to our VCP community in a new role, as a Dragonfly teacher! Miss Danielle has had two children graduate from VCP, and her youngest child is currently enrolled again this year. We are thrilled to have this alumni parent and former member of the VCP Preschool Board on our team. Now she brings her previous teaching experience to VCP as a member of our staff. Recently, Danielle spent 4-years directing and teaching the 3 & 4 year-old preschool Awana program at Beaverton Christian Church. Prior to that, Danielle worked as a professional Chef at Walk Disney World, and was the Executive Pastry Chef for Paragon Restaurant and New Seasons Market. She was also the first female Chef at the Tigard Benihana restaurant.
Miss Dani was born in Yakima, Washington and attended Beaverton High School. She married her high school sweet heart and they have three boys, ages 8, 7 and 2 years old. They live on a farm where they care for their 30 chickens, 6 pigs, 4 goats, 1 bunny and a cat. She takes great pride in her 300 lb pet pig named ‘Kevin Bacon’, which they bottle raised from a piglet. Miss Dani’s hobbies include showing her 52 Chevy truck and also running in Hood to Coast, 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, triathlons and obstacle course races.
assistant dragonfly teacher
miss Diane
Diane Benz shares her many years of teaching experience, warmth and wisdom with our students and their families. Diane grew up in NE Portland and attended catholic schools for elementary, high school and college.
Miss Diane began teaching when her youngest daughter started kindergarten, 28 years ago! In the span of her career, she has taught preschool, kindergarten, and both first and second grade. Before teaching at Valley Christian Preschool, Diane taught for eight years at Beaverton Christian Preschool in the 4 year-old and kindergarten classrooms.
Diane and her husband have raised four children and are now the joyful grandparents to eight grandchildren! One of Diane’s granddaughters also attends VCP in our 4 year-old Dragonfly classroom.
Diane lives in the neighborhood and enjoys walking to school each morning. In addition to walking, Diane enjoys gardening and baking. The VCP staff often enjoys baked treats that Diane brings in for us!
4’s Mandarin teacher
miss Qian
Miss Qian comes into the classroom once a week to teach Mandarin language lessons to our 4s classes. She teaches vocabulary and also reads books and sings songs with our Dragonfly students to reinforce the learning. Our Dragonfly students are the perfect age to learn a new language, they pick it up quickly and they love it! Miss Qian has three boys, all of whom have previously attended Valley Christian Preschool or are currently enrolled.