Our Teachers
Youngset Cooperative Preschool is fortunate to have experienced, dedicated teachers who are committed to the quality of the preschool program. All Youngset teachers attend professional workshops and conferences. They are members of Parent Child Preschool of Oregon (PCPO), Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Lynn Peterson
Lynn Peterson has been a teacher at Youngset for the past twelve years. She attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and finished her teaching degree at Portland State. Lynn has been involved with the education of young children for the past thirty years teaching in co-op schools, traditional preschools, and day care centers. She feels a strong commitment to the preschool co-op philosophy. She thinks the ideal teaching situation is where children, parents and teachers all work together.

Lynn recognizes that children come to school with different temperaments at different stages of development and with personal styles and skills. She believes that children learn best by participating in hands-on, experience-based activities. Her classroom settings encourage the natural curiosity of the child while promoting opportunities to develop skills to cooperate with others. Her classes are usually happy, busy, a bit loud, and often silly. She views classroom activities as opportunities to problem solve and as the means to provide learning experiences in concept building and conflict resolution. Lynn is currently serving on the Board of Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (PCPO). In April 2002 Lynn received a District award from Parent-Co-Op Preschools International (PCPI) for her contributions to the organization and her dedication to the parent co-operative preschool movement.
 

Mercedes Moore
Mercedes Moore is excited to be returning for her third year at Youngset as the 3s class teacher. Her education background is in Early Childhood Development and includes Western Oregon University, Portland State University and Portland Community College. She is currently working towards a degree in Early Childhood Ed. Mercedes has been involved with children for the past seven years as a nanny, substitute teacher, and assistant teacher.

Mercedes is a patient, gentle person with a passion for teaching young children. She strives to encourage exploration, creativity and independence. Mercedes’ experience with preschool age children and philosophy of learning through play make her a perfect fit at Youngset.

Alison Arditi
Alison Arditi is joining Youngset this year as our Assistant Teacher.  Alison is a native Oregonian with over 6 years experience working with preschool age children.  A graduate of Wilson high School, Alison was enrolled in the Wilson Preschool Program, where she began her love of working with children.  Currently, she is working on her degree in Elementary Education at Portland State University, and most recently worked as the Camp Coordinator for Southwest Community Center.  Alison’s caring and gentle personality will be a great fit at Youngset.  She looks forward to working closely with the families this year to make preschool a positive and successful experience for each child.