Our Teachers

Robin Monahan: I have 11 yrs experience working in early education with regular and special needs students, in integrated preschool and kindergarten classrooms in the Renton School District. During my time with the RSD, I attended many conferences in Early Education providing me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and understanding of a developmentally appropriate program. I spent 3 yrs. providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism, and assisting families in setting up an appropriate learning environment for their children with special needs. My husband and I have three children, two in college, and our youngest attends an elementary school in the Tahoma school district. I am excited to be back in the classroom working with young children and their families. Early education has always been my passion. The co-op experience offers adults the opportunity to model positive play skills, as well as facilitate learning experiences. My goal is to offer a program with developmentally appropriate learning experiences, where children can learn as total persons; intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. By actively engaging children in problem solving, facilitates learning in all the areas as well as developing thinking skills. I introduce and reinforce themes in the classroom through focused activities and age appropriate skills and concepts. Children who are given the freedom to explore, are given the opportunity to learn.

Dana Sonnen: Welcome to Tahoma Co-Op and thank you for your interest in our school I have been involved in Co-Op Preschool for 14 years, when my oldest daughter started her first mommy and me class. I have been married to my husband, Darren for 17 years. We have three terrific children, Lora (14), Anna (12) and Luke (4). This is my 7th year of teaching pre-school, both in a traditional preschool and at Tahoma Co-Op. I took a short break after Luke was born, I'm so excited to be back. I have an AA from Highline Community College. My Early Childhood Ed classes come from both Highline and Green River Community Colleges. Over the years, I have attended many different Early Childhood Ed seminars and classes. One of my goals in the classroom is to have a class that stimulates each child's personality and is developmentally appropriate for the class. Another goal is to make our class a fun and interesting place to learn and explore. My class is a place for children to begin to learn how to relate and play with other children in a friendly, encouraging enviroment. Children are introduced to math, science, literacy and social studies concepts through classroom activities and curriculum. Teaching strategies include preparing the enviroment to give children time to select many of their own activities throuhg learning centers in the classroom. We have a daily/weekly/monthly theme which is included in our monthly calendar. Parents have the opportunity to be involved in their child's education by helping in the classroom The Co-Op experience is a parent/teacher/child partnership. Through this partnership we can make your child's first school experience a positive one.