2011-2012 WCK Staff
We are pleased to present the Windham Cooperative Kindergarten and Nursery School staff.
MRS. TERESA MAGEE
DIRECTOR/LEAD TEACHER KEEP KINDERGARTEN EXTENDED ENRICHMENT PROGRAM - Mrs. Magee joined WCK in 2007 as the lead kindergarten teacher. Currently she holds the role of Director and lead teacher in the Kindergarten Extended Enrichment Program. Mrs. Magee holds her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Framingham State College and her Master's degree in elementary education from the University of New Hampshire. She maintains her New Hampshire teaching certification and achieved New Hampshire Highly Qualified Teacher status in elementary education. Her previous experience has included teaching first and second grades and substitute teaching.
Mrs. Magee explored the value of nonfiction in literacy programs while obtaining her master's degree. She is also passionate about writing with the children and has experience in picture writing. She enjoys teaching at WCK and enjoys taking on the leadership role at WCK and being involved in the development of new programming.
MRS. PATTI MICHAL
ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR - As assistant to the director, Mrs. Michal handles much of the day-to-day operations of the school. The children affectionately refer to her as "The Door Lady" and "The Principal." She joined the WCK staff after five years on WCK's Executive Board, having held several positions. She furthered her experience with an assistant teaching position, which she held for a year at WCK. These roles have given Mrs. Michal a strong understanding of the school's history and operations and have increased her ability to serve WCK's families.
In addition to her role as assistant to the director, Mrs. Michal was the staff representative on the I-93 Housing Committee. She also steps into the classroom when needed and is often one of the teachers for WCK's summer camps. Mrs. Michal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. If you have questions about health or emergency forms, medications, dates or petty cash reimbursements she is the one to see.
MRS. HEATHER HANKUS
LEAD TEACHER PRE-KINGERGARTEN - Mrs. Hankus joined WCK in January of 2007 as the Pre-K teacher. She has made a vibrant addition to the school with her creativity, energy, and enthusiasm. Mrs. Hankus obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology from Keene State College. She has taught in the Windham, Hampstead, and Raymond, New Hampshire school systems. Other experience includes directing and teaching pre-kindergarten in a community-based program, as well as teaching our WCK summer camps.
Mrs. Hankus is married with two children. She enjoys antiquing and spending time up north with her family. Best of all, she is a graduate from WCK!
MRS. LISA STORIE
LEAD TEACHER PRE-KINGERGARTEEN AND KINDERGARTEN EXTENDED ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (KEEP) - Mrs. Storie first came to WCK as an active parent volunteer who enjoyed her time in the classroom. She later worked at WCK as a paraprofessional for a kindergarten child with special needs. Mrs. Storie continued her work as a paraprofessional for the Windham Preschool Special Education Program for three years. She returned to WCK as a full-time associate teacher in 2000. During her time with us, Mrs. Storie has assisted in nursery, pre-k and kindergarten classrooms. Her experience working with a wide range of children is an asset to the school. Mrs. Storie has a Bachelor of Science degree. During her time at WCK, she has completed two levels of early childhood certificates and a teaching practicum. She is also one of WCK's camp instructors for the summer program.
Mrs. Storie is married with four children and is actively involved in her church's youth program. One of her favorite things about teaching is "seeing the children's expressions when they learn something new or finally master something they have been working on."
MRS. LIBBY ALLEN
LEAD TEACHER NURSERYAND PRE-KINDERGARTEN EXTENDED ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PEEP) - Mrs. Allen has her M.Ed in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Family Studies (Young Child Specialization) both from the University of New Hampshire. She has experience in pre-school, kindergarten and elementary classrooms as well as experience substitute teaching at the middle school level. Mrs. Allen is passionate about meeting the needs of the children in her class, and loves getting to know each child's individual personality. Her favorite part of teaching young children is being able to guide them through new friendships and social situations.
Mrs. Allen recently moved to Derry, and is enjoying exploring her new town. In her spare time, she likes to travel with her husband, especially taking trips up the Maine coast.
MRS. DARLENE ESTES
ASSISTANT TEACHER PRE-KINDERGARTEN - In 2000, Mrs. Estes first joined the WCK as a parent. She enthusiastically volunteered in and out of both the classroom; assisting in Pre-K, Kindergarten and preparing classroom activities. Mrs. Estes is an active volunteer in the Windham School District, helping with math and reading at Golden Brook School and in the third grade classroom at Center School. Mrs. Estes returned to WCK as an assistant teacher during the 2007-2008 school year. She also teaches some of our summer camps.
Mrs. Estes lives in Windham with her husband, three children and extended family. Her hobbies center on her home and family. She enjoys summers when her children are home to cherish.
MRS. SUSAN MICHAELS
ASSISTANT TEACHER PRE-KINDERGARTEN EXTENDED ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (PEEP) - Mrs. Michaels enthusiastically joined our staff in 2008 as the KEEP assistant teacher. She brings a broad music and education background to WCK. Mrs. Michaels was an instructional assistant in the Windham/Pelham School District and is currently the Director of the Children's Handbell Choir at First Church Congregational UCC in Methuen, MA. Mrs. Michaels hold a BS in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, MA.
Mrs. Michaels raised her two sons in Windham and currently lives here with her husband and three cats. Her hobbies include ringing in a Handbell Choir, gardening and jewelry making.
MRS. SUSAN WEIN
ASSOCIATE TEACHER PRE-KINGERGARTEEN PROGRAM - Mrs. Susan Wein joined WCK in 2010 as an associate teacher in pre-kindergarten and KEEP. Mrs. Wein has been a stay at home mom with her two sons for the past 11 years. During this time she has been active in the Windham PTA and has worked as a substitute teacher. Prior to becoming a mother, Mrs. Wein was a 2nd grad teacher for 5 years. She had a Masters in Education from University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
In addition to volunteering in the Windham School system, she also volunteers for St. Matthew's Parish. Mrs. Wein enjoys golfing, skiing and spending time with her family at their cottage on Lake Waukewan.
MRS. JULIE DANN
ASSISTANT TEACHER NURSERY PROGRAM - Mrs. Dann has her M.Ed in Health and Physical Education from the University of Missouri. She has experience working as a substitute teacher in the Windham schools and teaching Sunday school. Mrs. Dann has also worked as an exercise physiologist and has developed fitness programs for children. Mrs. Dann's two sons, Kyle and Ryan, have both attended WCK, so she has a good sense of how things run and will be a great asset in the classroom.
Mrs. Dann lives in Windham with her husband and two sons. They spend most of their time at their sons hockey and baseball games, but also love spending time with family friends as often as they can.
Our Committment
WCK is committed to the professional development of its staff. We encourage and provide a means for staff members to further their education by participating in courses, seminars and workshops. These educational growth opportunities allow us to stay current with early childhood education teaching practices and to provide quality programming for your children.