Affectionately known as Teacher Pam to many, Pam Fenton has seen a lot of change over the past 25 years. In a world forever looking to digitize all things, the Kirkland Co-op Preschool remains firm in their approach to learning and nurturing children organically.
Their commitment to a developmentally-based method of learning is a rarity. It is this very commitment, however, thats kept the preschool going strong for 60 years.
Kids are the same now as they were in 1947, said Fenton, who speaks with such liveliness in her voice it's clear how shes kept up with two-and-a-half-year-olds for a quarter-century. Their world has changed drastically, but they sure havent, she said.
On June 2, the Kirkland Co-op Preschool celebrates its milestone anniversary.
The thought of a parent-run preschool began with the crack of Helen Kirks husbands hammer. Kirks backyard chicken coop was transformed into the original home for the preschool on Finn Hill in 1947. Kirk and a few of her friends had a simple vision: to create a cooperative preschool where parents could both care for their children and teach, using an old-fashioned practice and methods.
Much time has passed since the school bell rang in Kirks backyard. Nearly 20 years were spent inside the confines of the chicken coop, but since then the preschool moved into Lake Washington United Methodist Church. Now affiliated with Lake Washington Technical College, not much has changed in the last 40 years.
Fenton started working with the co-op in the early 1980s as a parent. She became a permanent fixture in the classroom in 1986, teaching Groups I and III children three days a week. Along with teacher Doreen Fisher, the two have kept Kirks vision alive even after her passing.
CHILDREN BEING CHILDREN
No batteries. No computers. Just children being children.
Its pretty remarkable were still around, said Fenton. Weve just had so much community support over these 60 years.
Kirkland Co-op Preschool requires parents to help in the classroom once each week. Theres just no better teacher than a parent," Fenton said. "And parents love to connect with the other parents through their children.
Mandy Doering helps out weekly in her son Ryans Group III classroom which meets for two-and-a-half-hours four times weekly.
The four-and-a-half to five year-old group, led by Fenton, stresses the childs independence through field trips and teaching classroom responsibilities. She and the other parents help design arts and science projects for their children, working closely with Fenton and Fisher.
Teacher Pam is just fantastic with the children, said Doering. Shes so warm and fun and the children truly learn a lot from her.
This doesnt feel like a real job, laughed Fenton. I get to play outside every day with the children and wear whatever I want to work!
The preschool plans on celebrating their 60th anniversary with a picnic and carnival, inviting many former students and parents including Deputy Mayor Joan McBride to celebrate their astonishing mark. The event promises to be a grand celebration.
Life is never dull at preschool, chuckled Fenton.
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