PNPC Teachers

Sarah Sanford, Parent/Infant Teacher
Sarah, the Parent/Infant teacher, has a B.A. in Art History and a Master in Elementary Teaching. She facilitates the Parent/Infant class with a focus on babies’ and parents' enjoyment and enrichment. She teaches sign language, music, movement, and creative dance.  Monthly themes are enriched by sensorial and literacy experiences. Sarah values nurturing the children's' curiosity and parents' creativity and joy in the skill and art of parenting.  She is a big fan of the community of co-op and enthusiastically welcomes new families.  Sarah joined the PNPC as a parent in 2001, teacher in 2005, and has two school-aged children.

In the Parent Infant Class, children develop:

*Self-confidence
*Sense of community through group experience and care from buddy parents
*Develop large motor skills through movement, dance, climbing
*Develop musical sense through listening, playing instruments and moving to songs
*Develop literacy skills through literacy time
*Develop fine motor skills through play in sensory, art and age appropriate materials

Gwen Drolet, Toddlers Teacher
Gwen is a mother of three and an involved co-op participant. Gwen has been a member of the 65th Street Co-op for seven years where she has held many class jobs as well as board positions. She is also very involved at her oldest daughters school, West Woodland. Gwen enjoys working with families and small children and is excited to have the opportunity to work with the families at the PNPC as they journey through parenthood.

Gwen grew up in Bellevue and attended the University of Washington where she studied Psychology. She has lived in the Phinney Ridge area for almost 20 years and loves the neighborhood! Her training and background also include doula and postpartum doula training from the Seattle Midwifery School, CEAS Childbirth Educator training and Bringing Baby Home. Gwen has also served as a PEPS leader here in the Seattle area.

Gwen's warm smile and positive attitude charmed those of us on the Teacher Search Committee from our first meeting. During her circle time with the Parent Infant class she was engaging and fun! She brings with her a parent perspective of coop and deep roots to the community. We are excited to have her as a part of our fabulous teaching staff; we know that you will be too!

Linda Joss, Twos Teacher
Linda Joss is loving being the twos class teacher! The two year olds are eager, excited, and full of enthusiasm!! She has been teaching at Phinney Co-op since 2009. The wonderful children & parents keep Linda looking forward to come to school each week!!

Linda has been in love and involved with Phinney Co-op since her twins started in the parent/infant class in 2000!! All of her kids have been a part of the co-op. Her husband, Matt, has also been involved, but not to the extent of Linda!

When Linda isnʼt teaching the Twos class, she can be found volunteering at West Woodland where her three children go to school. Prior to becoming a mom, she was a first grade teacher in Bellevue and before that, heavily involved in the special events planning. Running the Twos class and volunteering at West Woodland, she gains a lot from having run special events. Everyday feels like one ;)

Francie Ringold, Threes Teacher & Head Teacher
Francie Ringold is the Threes Teacher and the Preschool's Head Teacher. She started with the PNPC in the fall of 1995. Francie has taught the Toddlers, Twos and what was the Fours class. She loves teaching the Threes and working with parents and kids. She has a B.A. in Psychology and has attended many trainings and workshops in the last 18 years on early childhood education and parenting issues. Francie previously worked for the JCC childcare center and Directed Camp Fire's Special Saturday Club sites which ran programs for special needs children and their siblings. She lives with her husband in the neighborhood near her two grown sons.

Sally Cornelson-Watkins, Pre-K Teacher
Sally joined PNPC as our Pre-K Teacher in 2011.

PNPC Parent Educators

Irene Wagner, Parent Educator – Parent/Infant Class
Irene Wagner holds a Master of Social Work, with post-graduate training in family systems. She has worked with children and families for many years. Irene joined the Parent Education faculty at North Seattle Community College in 1995, and provides parent education to parents of infants and toddlers. In addition, Irene maintains a part-time clinical private practice in Seattle. Irene has three daughters, and she and her husband have enjoyed raising them in the Ravenna neighborhood. Irene’s favorite activities are participating in Rotary service projects with her family, attending her monthly book club, and singing with the Enzian Swiss Ladies Singing Society.

Andrea Baugarten, Parent Educator – Toddlers Class

Mara Mulcahy, Parent Educator – Twos Class