Our Preschool Classroom
Your 3-year-old is opening up their world, developing special friendships, learning new words and forming new ideas every day. Through purposeful play, meaningful questions and direct instruction, our Preschool teachers encourage your child to think in new and different ways. Your child will have so much fun that they won’t even realize they’re developing the skills they’ll need for reading and math.
Nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®
Health & Safety
Our school is committed to high standards of safety and cleanliness as we create a caring and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
- Requiring any children or staff with respiratory illness symptoms or fever to return home and stay home until fever free for at least 24 hours
- Frequent disinfecting and sanitizing of high-touch toys
- Frequent handwashing by children and staff, which is embedded in our curriculum and daily staff protocols
- Training teachers on common signs of illness in children, and placing signage in every classroom to keep signs of illness top of mind
- Daily laundering of crib sheets for infants; for older children, individual cots and blankets are provided for each child and laundered weekly
- Ensuring appropriate teacher-student classroom ratios
- Continuous health & safety training for our staff, including first aid and CPR certification
- Maintaining an up-to-date and customized Safe School Plan posted in all classrooms for easy teacher access
Our Preschool Classroom Teachers & Staff
Mrs. Julia Hammer
Mrs. Hammer was born in Montreal, Canada and moved to Aitkin, MN when she was twelve. She has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Attachment from Southwest Minnesota State University. Mrs. Hammer has 3 sons and 1 daughter. She does not have any pets at present but previously had a chocolate Lab. In her free time, Mrs. Hammer enjoys traveling, bowling, volleyball, scuba diving, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Alecia Vasquez
Bio coming soon!
Ms. LaRissa Iron Moccasin
Ms. Iron Moccasin is from Osseo, MN. She earned her CDA in 2019 and is currently pursuing an Early Childhood Education degree from Minneapolis Community & Technical College. In her free time, Ms. Iron Moccasin loves hanging out with her two young daughters.
Fun fact: Ms. Iron Moccasin’s favorite dessert is cheesecake
Ms. Veronica Nyangacha
Ms. Nyangacha was born in La Paz, Bolivia. She was adopted when she was young and her father went to Bolivia and stayed with her until the adoption was finalized. They then both flew to MN where she was able to meet the rest of her immediate family. Ms. Nyangacha has attended two colleges and has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She has worked with children a good portion of her life, and also previously volunteered in a nursing home. Ms. Nyangacha has two children of her own, and two hermit crabs as pets. In her free time she enjoys traveling, arts and crafts, reading, sports, puzzles, hiking, watching documentaries, and spending time with family and friends.
Fun fact: Ms. Nyangacha’s favorite dessert is ice cream
