Meet Our 2's Teacher
Karmen Furer
Originally from Wisconsin and formally educated in Social Work, Karmen has extensive experience working with children, from newborns to adolescents, and their families. Karmen has over ten years of professional experience in developing programs and individualized education plans designed around children’s strengths and interests. Working collaboratively with various educational professionals, therapists, parents, and social workers, she has focused her work on identifying and addressing children’s complex emotional and education needs.
Karmen began her journey in the Cooperative Preschool model in Seattle when she enrolled her eldest daughter in a toddler program at Latona Cooperative Preschool. Immediately, she was drawn to the concepts and benefits of Cooperative Education. She took on leadership roles in both of her daughters’ cooperative preschool programs in Seattle, maintaining board positions each year, working directly with the lead teachers. In 2014, she and her family relocated to Gig Harbor and enrolled her youngest daughter in the 2’s program at The Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool.
"My education philosophy is simple; as a parent and professional, I believe that we learn through play. A child-centered, emergent curriculum can empower our children to take an active role in their educational development. If they are emotionally invested in their own learning path, they can achieve higher levels of understanding. When the children gravitate towards particular interests, we will further explore these class generated ideas, providing structured activities capturing the children’s creativity and imagination.
"I am thrilled to be the 2’s teacher at The Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool. The co-op preschool model is so beneficial to your child’s educational development. Parents gain an even greater understanding and enjoyment of their own children through this active participation in their education. Parents have the opportunity to share their experience and expertise with one another while working collaboratively together. Children and families develop community through the collective experience, creating strong friendships and social bonds for years to come."
Karmen began her journey in the Cooperative Preschool model in Seattle when she enrolled her eldest daughter in a toddler program at Latona Cooperative Preschool. Immediately, she was drawn to the concepts and benefits of Cooperative Education. She took on leadership roles in both of her daughters’ cooperative preschool programs in Seattle, maintaining board positions each year, working directly with the lead teachers. In 2014, she and her family relocated to Gig Harbor and enrolled her youngest daughter in the 2’s program at The Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool.
"My education philosophy is simple; as a parent and professional, I believe that we learn through play. A child-centered, emergent curriculum can empower our children to take an active role in their educational development. If they are emotionally invested in their own learning path, they can achieve higher levels of understanding. When the children gravitate towards particular interests, we will further explore these class generated ideas, providing structured activities capturing the children’s creativity and imagination.
"I am thrilled to be the 2’s teacher at The Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool. The co-op preschool model is so beneficial to your child’s educational development. Parents gain an even greater understanding and enjoyment of their own children through this active participation in their education. Parents have the opportunity to share their experience and expertise with one another while working collaboratively together. Children and families develop community through the collective experience, creating strong friendships and social bonds for years to come."
Meet Our 3's and 4's Teacher
Mary Jooste
Mary Jooste has a passion for early childhood education and has been teaching preschool through second grade for more than 20 years. She graduated from the California State University of Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, earned her teaching certification from National University, and holds a current Washington State Multiple Teaching Credential. Mary has taught students from diverse backgrounds in private, parochial and public schools, designed curriculum for three different preschools, and championed state board certification.
In 1998 Mary and her family moved to Washington and fell in love with the Gig Harbor community. She has been a full-time Kindergarten and First Grade teacher at Voyager Elementary, and volunteered and substituted in multiple primary grades across the Peninsula School District.
Mary’s philosophy is that all learning experiences should be positive and meaningful for every student, while encouraging a strong discovery through interactive, hands-on, theme and game paced learning. She continues to cultivate and refine her approach, studying various methods of teaching while revising and applying her curriculum along the way.
With more than 30 continuing education courses and a lifetime of success stories, Mary will help strengthen every student’s academic, social and self-esteem skills, while preparing them for their transition into Kindergarten. She is thrilled to have joined the Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool and can’t wait to meet her new students over the summer and in the fall.
In 1998 Mary and her family moved to Washington and fell in love with the Gig Harbor community. She has been a full-time Kindergarten and First Grade teacher at Voyager Elementary, and volunteered and substituted in multiple primary grades across the Peninsula School District.
Mary’s philosophy is that all learning experiences should be positive and meaningful for every student, while encouraging a strong discovery through interactive, hands-on, theme and game paced learning. She continues to cultivate and refine her approach, studying various methods of teaching while revising and applying her curriculum along the way.
With more than 30 continuing education courses and a lifetime of success stories, Mary will help strengthen every student’s academic, social and self-esteem skills, while preparing them for their transition into Kindergarten. She is thrilled to have joined the Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool and can’t wait to meet her new students over the summer and in the fall.
