About Our School

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General Information La Casita is a parent co-operative school. There are two teachers and one parent in the classroom daily. Parents serve on the board of directors with the teachers. The board of directors is responsible for running the school including budgets and policies. Parents are in charge of fund raising (children's art calendar sales, grocery store cards, garage sales, Schoolpop.com, brick sales, etc.), and physically maintaining the school, driving for field trips and bringing snack once a month. Funds from these fund raising projects are used to provide scholarships and purchase equipment and materials for the school. When parents are involved in the early education of their children, parents and children learn together. It is important that the school reinforce family life, rather than be separate from it. Parents and children from different backgrounds come together in the classrom, reinforcing relationships through a shared experience. We maintain an open door policy for parents and family members and they are welcome to visit our school at any time. With parent being involved in the school, tuition and expenses can be kept to a minimum allowing more families of different income levels to join our school. Generally speaking, parents are responsible for administering the school, while the teachers are responsible for the educational program. Our Founder and Consultant LYNN KELLY earned a B.A. in English and Psychology from Cornell University. She also completed Education and Child Development courses at State University of New York and at The College of Santa Fe. Lynn graduated from UNM with distinction with a M.A. in Special Education with concentration in Early Childhood, Behavior Disorders, and Counseling Parents. Lynn was a founder of and has been teaching at La Casita since its beginning in 1971. Lynn worked previously as an Early Childhood teacher in Buffalo, N.Y. In addition, she has worked as a counselor for New Vistas Independent Living Center and for the New Mexico Human Services Department. Lynn currently holds leadership positions in the Northeast New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She attends New Mexico NAEYC and New Mexico Child Care conferences annually. In addition, she frequently presents and attends National NAYEC conferences. A recognized leader in the Early Childhood Development community, Lynn has also presented workshops at New Mexico NAEYC conferences, ParentsŐ University (Santa Fe Community College), New Mexico Child Care Conferences, and the Knowing Children Series at the Santa Fe Public Library. In addition, Lynn has periodically taught classes at Santa Fe Community College in Early Childhood. Through the support of La Casita, she has attended seminars at the famous Reggio Emilia preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy three times. Lynn was president of the Northeast AEYC in 2004-2005. In 2005-2006 she was president of the NMAEYC. We have four teachers: HELEN McDONALD Director and former La Casita Parent SHERI CARROLL was a professional nanny in New York while attending Hunter College. There she studied anthropology, history and sociology. She moved to Davis CA. with her husband Tom and worked on political campaigns. She specialized in fundraising for the California State Assembly races. While in Davis, Sheri invited pre-school children to her farm and taught them all about rural life. In 1992, Sheri moved with her family to Santa Fe. Here she and her husband owned and managed a juice company. After the successful growth and eventual sale of the company, Sheri has been busy raising her three daughters: 22, 20 and 15 years old. To supplement her life-long love for children, Sheri earned her Certificate in Early Childhood Development from the Santa Fe Community College. She continues taking classes, working toward earning a B.A. SARAH DANNERBECK After care teacher and former La Casita Parent ALLISON CULLEN After care teacher and former La Casita Parent Directions to La Casita La Casita is located at the intersection of Saint Francis Drive (US 285 North) and Alamo Drive. Heading North on Saint Francis drive from central Santa Fe, turn left at Alamo Drive. Alamo Drive is the last traffic light on Saint Francis Drive Northbound. La Casita is the first house on the right, next to the access road, Calle Mejia. Map or Google map View Larger Map Awards La Casita is nationally accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). La Casita is licensed by the State of New Mexico. It has been awarded a "Five Star License" for an outstanding program. Summer Enrollment Form - Click here to download Fall Enrollment Form - Click here to download