PVCS

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Meet Our Teachers

The PVCS staff has been hand selected to meet the needs of each age group. They have the ability to predict what activities, materials, and experiences will be safe, healthy, interesting, achievable, and also challenging to the children they are teaching. They are also flexible and possess the ability to adapt to individual situations and needs as they arise among their students-teachable moments. The teachers at PVCS have a range of experience and education in early childhood education and not only meet the Arizona Department of Health and Safety’s requirements for early childhood educators but most also meet the high standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Most importantly, they love children and love teaching and make our preschool a fun and happy place for children to play and learn.

Founder/Director of
Paradise Valley Cooperative School

Teachers

 

 

 

 

Melanie Romero Director

Seven years ago I had a dream come true - I opened my own preschool. I am Melanie Romero, the owner and director of Paradise Valley Cooperative School. I have a master's degree in Elementary Education and many, many courses in Early Childhood Education as well. I have been working with children since I was 13 years old and babysat for all of the families in my neighborhood! I knew that someday I wanted to own my own preschool and three years ago that dream came true. I have taught first grade, and every preschool age along the way. Most recently I was a director at another school in the valley for two years prior to starting this one.

It was at that preschool that I really began to understand and believe in the philosophy that young children learn best through play, active participation in their own learning. Another strong belief of mine is that children must feel safe and loved and have their physical needs met in order to learn. I am so proud of the community we have become in the last few years and hope to grow and prosper for many years to come.

I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and moved here to go to ASU. After graduation, I stayed and my parents followed! I have three children. Cody is 20, Carissa is 14, going on 20 and Cyrina turned 6in April. 

Kirsten

 

Hi. I’m Kristen Flangos and I will be the M-TH Fours Co-teacher. I’m excited to be joining the PVCS team and to be a part of such a great curriculum and philosophy as well as the adventure of opening a new location! I’m looking forward to meeting all my students and their families.

I have a BA in Special Needs Education from ASU where I also minored in Music. After graduating, I substituted in different districts and also taught in a K-4 Learning Resource classroom at Kiva Elementary school before finally getting a position in one of the special needs preschools in the Paradise Valley School District. There I gained a wealth of experience in both the Creative Curriculum and the art of teaching through play. Once my daughter was born I decided to be a stay-at-home mom. I have a daughter named Ashlyn (7) who is in 1st grade and a son named Ryan (2). Ashlyn attended PVCS the very first year it opened, when she was two. She had such a great experience and now I want Ryan to have that same opportunity. He is currently in the MWF Two’s class with Teacher Debbie.

I grew up in CA and moved here in high school where I attended Chaparral and then ASU. My husband Peter and I have been married for 11 years. In my spare time I love photography, scrapbooking and reading.

I'm Debbie Ingebretson and I have been teaching at PVCS for 4 years. I am currently teaching the M/W/F threes class.

I am an Arizona native and grew up just a few miles from PVCS. I have a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and a masters degree in Elementary Education with an English as a Second Language Endorsement from Northern Arizona University . I taught kindergarten and first grade in the Madison school district for 6 years. Then I stayed at home with my son and daughter until I had the wonderful opportunity to work at PVCS. Both of my children, Emma (7) and Ethan (5), went to preschool at PVCS. I really enjoy working at PVCS and being a part of the PVCS community.

My number one passion has always been working with kids. I love watching them learn and grow. In my free time I love to travel and make scrapbooks. Two hobbies that go well together, because the more you travel the more pictures you have to put in the scrapbook.

Paula

Hello, my name is Paula Aceves. I am the T-TH Threes Teacher this year. This year is going to be a lot of fun for all of us! I am very excited to be part of this philosophy because I live with it every day with my eight-year-old daughter, Paulina.

I am from Mexico and I've been living in Arizona for 10 years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business and after Paulina was born I've dedicated most of my time to helping her find her mission in life. In the journey of helping my daughter, I have taken many different classes in Early Childhood Education and one of my goals for this year is to get my CDA (Child Development Associate's Degree). I am always looking for resources, information, games and activities geared toward helping kids to learn about their surroundings. I am looking forward to a great year!!

 

Lisa Mason

I am Lisa Mason

 



Linda

Hello, my name is Lynda Craven, and I am very excited to be part of the Paradise Valley Cooperative School community this year. I will be teaching the Twos Class on T-TH with Teacher Jennifer. I look forward to meeting all of my "little bundles of wonder" and sharing a fun filled year with them.

I’m originally from San Diego, but have called Phoenix home for almost 10 years.  I have been married for 15 years to my loving and supportive husband, Jeff, and we have two daughters, Olivia (11) and Genevieve (7), who are my biggest sources of inspiration.  Before joining the PVCS community, I was a stay at home mom and I continue to be a member of the Moms Club. In addition to teaching, I also help my daughters’ Girl Scouts troop and do some volunteering at their school. During my free time, I enjoy reading, and spending time with my family.  I also enjoy attending different classes and early childhood education workshops to gain more knowledge about how preschoolers learn. 

I believe that it takes a supportive community to teach children, and the learning environment at this school helps the children feel safe and secure in their own abilities, and feel loved for who they are. I enjoy the feeling that I am making a difference and positive impact in the lives of our future leaders!

Lama
Hello, my name is Lama Hana-Mousa. I will be the Toddler Teacher this year. I'm very excited to be a part off PVCS and this philosophy because I believe this is the right direction for our kids. They should be allowed freedom and responsibility to recognize their own needs and interests. I have an associate degree in Agriculture which I really loved. I'm a member at St. George Antiochian Church. I have a lot of experience as a Sunday school teacher for years. Also, I was very involved in the preschool where my kids went when they were little. My goal for the future is to get more experience and education in early childhood.

I'm from Syria and I have been living in the U.S. for 13 years. I have two kids. Gergey is 11 years old and loves to cook and Lana Marie is 8 years old and wants to be a teacher like her mom. My favorite thing to do is to design and decorate things and to listen to soft music.


Citha

Hello there my name is Teacher Citha and I am the Infant room teacher. I have been in the field of child development for the past six years and plan to continue my education in that area. I have taught all ages from infants to school age, but I love, love, love the babies. I am married & have three beautiful children of my own. Aminah who is 6, Davion is 2 & Shaniyah is 1. I have just recently come back to join my family at PVCS & I am so happy that I did.

 

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Debbie 2
Hello, my name is Debbi Nintzel and I am looking forward to a new year team teaching with Erin in the full time threes program.  Erin is a great person to work with and I know your children will benefit from having the two of us working together. 

A little about myself: Being the oldest of seven I have always known that I wanted to spend my life working with children.  I have an early childhood teaching degree from Northern Arizona University and taught for seven years before staying home with my children.  I have been substitute teaching in the Paradise Valley School District for the past three years and am currently updating my teaching certificate to include birth through preK.  I have been married for coming up on 22 years and have four wonderful children ages 18, 16, 14, and 10 (almost 15 and 11)! 

I look forward to working in a school with such a wonderful philosophy and belief in teaching children in a developmentally appropriate way!

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Erin Earley

Hi, my name is Erin Earley. I will be teaching the full time 3’s class Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.  I taught 1st grade in the Deer Valley Unified School District for 9 years. Prior to that, I was at TesseracT for 2 years in the preschool program.  I have been married 9 years to my husband Jake. We have two children Jackson (1st grade Wildfire Elementary) and Ella 3; she is in Teacher Debbie’s class. 

I am very excited to be part of the PVCS team.  I believe in a very strong student centered teaching philosophy and have a very caring and compassionate personality.  I strive to create a classroom community that is warm, welcoming, and accepting with individualized student attention.  My classroom is a safe environment that allows the children to make choices and pursue their own interests while learning.  I am excited to be job sharing with Debbi Nintzel and I looking forward to a fantastic year!

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