Katie Slatford, Center Director

Bio:

Katie Slatford is the Center Director and started with KinderCare in the fall of 2009. She has experience as a teacher, program specialist, and Assistant Director with KinderCare. Currently, she enjoys having the opportunity to support all the wonderful children, parents, and teachers here at the center to provide the best educational experience. Katie was born in England and her family moved to the United States when she was six years old. She grew up in Portland and recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master's Degree in Education. Go Ducks! Katie has been working with children in a variety of settings for over 10 years - working as a nanny, camp counselor, and teacher. She looks forward to working with children and helping them become smart, caring and contributing members of the community.

Previous Experience:

Spent eight years working as a nanny, camp counselor, and a teacher.

Elizabeth McLeod, Assistant Director

Bio:

Elizabeth McLeod is the Assistant Director here at Mt. Park KinderCare. She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Portland Community College and is currently attending Warner Pacific College to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development. Partnering with families and working with children is something that she is very passionate about. Elizabeth started out working in a residential care facility assisting at-risk children as a child care worker for the State of Oregon. Her work there sparked the desire to educate and make a difference in the lives of children. The experiences that she has had has only furthered her goal in enriching the lives of children through rich and developmentally appropriate curriculum, positive guidance and support, and allowing children to learn, grow, and discover the world around them.

Previous Experience:

Began career as a child care worker in a residential care facility assisting at-risk children for the State of Oregon.

Mr. Jake, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Mr. Jake teaches in the infant classroom. He has been with KinderCare over three years, starting as a substitute teacher traveling to different KinderCares in the area. Mr. Jake currently is currently working towards his Associate's Degree. He plans to transfer to Oregon State University or Portkand State University in the future to focus on his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has always loved being around children because they are so much fun! He believes that being a part of a child's future is a very rewarding job to have. He enjoys hanging out with friends and family, going to the movies, going to the gym, playing sports and meeting new people.

Ms. Eliane, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Eliane is a teacher in the infant classroom and has been with KinderCare since 1995. Originally from Brazil, Ms. Eliane earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education before moving to the US in 1992 where she continued her studies while providing in-home child care. Ms. Eliane has a vast amount of experience with infants and toddlers and enjoys teaching them Sign Language, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Previous Experience:

Three years providing in-home child care

Quote:

It continues to amaze me how much this age group changes and grows in such a short period of time.

Ms. Sonja, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Sonja teaches in the infant classroom at Mt. Park KinderCare. She began working for KinderCare in 2007 and has been an infant teacher ever since. She was born and raised in Oregon Ms. Sonja loves her job and is always patient, respectful, and caring. The infants she cares for have taught her a lot about the importance of being flexible and a great listener. Even though they cannot talk, they say a lot with their actions and expressions. She loves watching the infants grow and develop their individual personalities.

Ms. Mindy, Toddler Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Mindy teaches in the toddler classroom and has just received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Child and Family Studies from Portland State University. She is currently working towards her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree at Warner Pacific College. Ms. Mindy has always loved teaching and has always wanted to be a teacher. Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her family and dog, hiking, camping, golfing, and baking.

Ms. Aimee, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Aimee has been with KinderCare for 12 years. She's had countless numbers of training hours and continues her education each year to add more exciting ideas and best practices to her classroom. She is currently working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Aimee has three beautiful children of her own and loves to laugh, and have fun.

Ms. Libby, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Libby is originally from California where she started at KinderCare. She is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and plans to continue with school to complete her Masters Degree in Family Marriage Therapy. She enjoys working with all ages, but especially loves the two year-old age because they put a smile on her face every day. She loves teaching her students and continuously learning just as much from them as they are from her.

Ms. Mayra, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Mayra teaches in the discovery preschool classroom. She loves her family very much and considers her parents as her heroes as well as her closest friends. Ms. Mayra began taking Early Childhood Education classes in high school and that is when she realized she had a love for children and teaching. She believes that children's growing minds are wonderful and she looks forward to working with many children in the future.

Ms. Montica, Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Montica joined KinderCare in 2007 and teaches preschool and Spanish. She also knows American Sign Language and has been dedicated to educating and caring for children since she was very young. She recently received her Child Development Associate's Degree and is eager to continue school and complete her Bachelors Degree. Everyday she looks forward to watching her students learn, grow and master new skills.

Ms. Meridian, Prekindergarten Classroom and Program Specialist

Bio:

Ms. Meridian teaches prekindergarten and has been with KinderCare since 2008. She recently graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies and a minor in Elementary Education. She is currently studying to become an Oregon State Certified Teacher. Ms. Meridian loves working with children and has over seven years experience in child cares, learning centers, and public schools. Ms. Meridian takes pride in her job as she understands the importance of teaching and developing our youth. She is also excited to take on her new role as Program Specialist; supporting other teachers within the building to develop curriculum and sustain high quality curriculum implementation.

Previous Experience:

Seven years teaching in child care centers, learning centers, and public schools.

Ms. Linda, Private Kindergarten & School Age Classrooms

Bio:

Ms. Linda joined KinderCare in 2008 and teaches the private kindergarten class. She has been involved with the education of young people for the past 30 years. In addition to teaching art in public schools (grades K-12) for many years, she has also had the opportunity to teach in a variety of other settings including teaching private Waldorf Kindergarten, substitute teaching in Lake Oswego and West Linn School Districts, and spent time as an educational assistant at Boones Ferry Primary School in Wilsonville. Before moving to Lake Oswego to be closer to her family, she taught in the public school system in Blacksburg, Virginia until 2007. She has a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Education and still holds a current teaching license. Ms. Linda believes with all of her heart that "children learn best in an environment of love, respect, and appreciation by celebrating and acknowledging the wonder that is so natural to the young child".

Previous Experience:

Taught public school art for grades K-12, taught private Waldorf Kindergarten, substitute teaching for local public school districts

Ms. Christina T, Health and Safety Coordinator

Bio:

Ms. Christina T. is currently the opening manager, cook, and health and safety coordinator for the Mt. Park KinderCare and has been here since 2003. She enjoys watching each and every child grow. Her position as health and safety coordinator allows her to make sure that the children are in a health and safe environment. Ms. Christina is currently working towards getting her Early Childhood Education Degree at Clackamas Community College and has worked with children for many years. When she isn't working or at school, she enjoys spending time with her husband or doing crafts.

Ms. Christina B, Learning Adventures Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Christina teaches Learning Adventures and joined the Mt. Park KinderCare center in May of 2010. Ms Christina moved from Chicago to Portland with her family about three years ago. She absolutely loves life in Portland - especially the mountains. Ms. Christina has a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and has teaching experience that ranges from preschool to first grade. She enjoys working with young children - where everything is new and exciting. Ms. Christina is currently working towards her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction form Portland State University. Ms. Christina loves teaching because it always is an adventure. Teaching challenges her and makes her a more creative person. She is amazed by children's capacity to love and learn.

Previous Experience:

Taught ages ranging from preschool to first grade.