When students and parents are asked, "What makes Tigard Playschool special?" the answer is inevitably "our teachers!" We feel that the love and devotion they pour into this school is unmatched. They have a special connection with the children and are in tune with their needs. Our teachers give our children so much self-confidence and self-esteem that they are eager to learn and try new things. All of our teachers attend professional workshops and conferences, and are members of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Teacher Susie -
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School Director, Instructor
 Susie Long-Clark has been a teacher at Tigard Playschool since 1993. She is the Director of the school and teaches the Pre-K and Threes classes. Susie earned her degree in Early Childhood Education and has been involved in the education of young children since 1979. Additionally, she has served on the State Board of Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (PCPO).
Susie is a warm and gentle person with a passion for teaching. She encourages children to express their unique talents and interests while exploring new activities and building friendships. The activities in her classroom foster growth in each child’s social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Children are readily drawn to Susie’s enthusiastic approach to learning and dynamic energy in the classroom.
In February of 2000, Susie won a District award from PCPI (Parent Co-op Preschools International). The award was given in appreciation of her outstanding contributions to the organization and to the parent cooperative preschool movement. Susie was one of only three people to receive this distinction and honor.
Susie lives in Tigard with her husband John and their sons. They also open their home to special needs foster children. In addition to teaching preschool, Susie enjoys listening to good music, laughing often, learning how to use the computer and playing monopoly with her sons. Most of all, she enjoys giving and receiving hugs.
Teacher Kayla -
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Instructor
 Kayla McAfee holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has seven years of preschool teaching experience. The last eight years she has been a stay at home mom with five of those years involved in preschool co-ops. Three of her children have attended Tigard Playschool.
Kayla is compassionate, patient and nurturing with a love of all children. Kayla lives in Tigard with her husband and four daughters, enjoys literature, Broadway musicals and spending time with her family!
Teacher Saadia -
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Assistant Teacher
 Saadia has lived in Oregon with her husband and children since 1997. She has many years of experience as a co-op preschool parent. Her son attended a co-op playschool in Albuquerque and both of her daughters attended Tigard Playschool. Needless to say she is a big fan of TPI! She has a college degree in Economics and English Literature. She also has Early Childhood Education credits and plans to get her certificate in the future.
Saadia is passionate about children, family and reading. She enjoys planning fun trips and activities for her children and their friends. She is also active in volunteer activities involving a local youth group and a homeless shelter. Her basic philosophy about children is that they need our patience, understanding and time. Each child is unique and whereas certain rules need to be followed by all, some rules need to be bent for and adapted to individual children.
Saadia looks forward to forming a wonderful bond with the children at Tigard Playschool and learning a lot from their teachers and parents.
Teacher Taegen - email
Assistant Teacher
 Taegen attended the University of Maine at Farmington and received a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. Moving to Oregon in 2001, she now lives with her husband and 2 children in Tigard. After being a stay at home mom for 5 years, she is excited about the upcoming school year
Taegen loves to be creative in all aspects of life from music, to art, to gardening, to crafts and photography. She loves watching preschoolers discover and experiment with their own creativity
Tigard Playschool has become important to Taegen and her family. The parent teacher co-op is an amazing journey which enables you to be involved in your preschooler's introduction to school. She says, "I have thorougly enjoyed my parent teaching days, and I look forward to spending the afternoons as the Assistant Teacher with the PreK class." Her son, Kolby, will be in the PreK class, and her daughter, Lakyn, will be in kindergarten this year.
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Our Teachers 
