Meet the Little Pilgrim School Staff (2010-2011)
LORRIE COOK began working at Little Pilgrim School in 1989 and was a classroom teacher for 18 years. She now serves as Director of the program. Her education has been through South Seattle, Green River and Renton Tech Community Colleges, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College, Child Care Resources, White Center Early Learning Initiative (WCELI) and the Puget Sound, Washington and National Associations for the Education of Young Children (PSAEYC, WAEYC, NAEYC). She continues to attend workshops, courses and seminars and considers herself a lifelong learner. She and her husband, Jerry, have three grown daughters and four wonderful grandchildren (all LPS alumni). She currently volunteers with several organizations, including West Seattle Hi-Yu, WCELI, Hope Lutheran Church/School and Seattle Lutheran High School. She enjoys camping, gardening, looooong walks, visits to the dog park, reading, traveling, movies and theater, game nights with family and friends and, of course, children!
JOYCE HORVATH will be starting her fifth year working with the four year olds in Room 2. She joined the staff as a substitute teacher in 2001 assisting with two, three and four year olds. Joyce graduated from South Seattle Community College with an AA in Executive Secretary. She has volunteered in school classrooms (all ages) in the West Seattle community and has served as a fundraising chair and PTSA president/co-president at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She also partnered with the YMCA to raise funds for youth programs. Joyce and her husband, John, were born and raised in West Seattle. They have two children. Justin, age 23, graduated from the University of Washington and will begin his career at Sequoyah Electric in Redmond. Amanda, age 21, will begin her senior year at the University of Portland. Joyce loves to garden, read, listen to music, sing (when no one is listening!), attend concerts, watch movies, take long walks and cook gourmet meals for the enjoyment of family and friends. Visiting Joyce’s house, her love of animals won’t go unnoticed - the family has 2 cats and a dog.
LESLIE MINCKLER will teach the three year olds and the two year olds in Room 3 this year. This will be her 21st year at Little Pilgrim School. Leslie is a graduate of Central Washington University and has continuing credits from Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington in the area of speech pathology and special education. She has worked as a Speech/Language Therapist for the Selah and Sumner School Districts. She was also the child/youth coordinator at Admiral Church for four years. Leslie was a Girl Scout leader for seven years. Leslie and husband, Mark currently live in the Seaview area. They have two children. Mike, who continues his education at Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia and Lauren, who is a graduate of Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Both graduated from West Seattle High School. Mark and Leslie stay busy with traveling to eastern Washington, many home projects, going to Disneyland as a family and taking care of their busy dogs, Ruby & Jack! Leslie enjoys gardening, the beach, reading, scrap booking, long walks, travel, and when time permits, browsing antique shops and getting together with friends. Leslie also collects children’s books.
KATHIE SALONEN will teach the four year olds in Room 2 this year. This will be Kathie’s 19th year as an LPS teacher. Kathie is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in speech communications. Kathie grew up in West Seattle and at Fauntleroy Church. She and her husband, Bob, and two children Bobby and Karianne, are West Seattle residents. Both children attended LPS during their preschool years. Family is a high priority for Kathie. She and her family enjoy camping, fishing and bicycling as well as indoor family nights with games and movies. Always looking for a challenge, Kathie enjoys sewing, needlework, crafting and she is an Avon representative. She also babysits and is a substitute teacher for a local in-home daycare. Volunteering has always played a big part in her life. She knits for charity and volunteers at her church. Kathie and her husband are also our school janitors.
BARBARA SMITH will teach three’s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and two’s on Thursday and Friday. Barbara begins her 25th year at Little Pilgrim School, and she continues to serve as our head teacher. She attended Western Washington College and has been actively involved with South Seattle Community College as a parent, student and teacher. Here at Fauntleroy she served as nursery supervisor for three years, developing program and spaces for children under age 3. Over the years Barbara has served as a leader and trainer for Camp Fire, has served on Park Department and community committees and a variety of school organizations. Summers, she has worked in child care centers with children, infants to age twelve. Barbara, born and raised on a small farm in Oklahoma, enjoys designing houses and listening to all types of music. She and husband, Gary, have two daughters, two sons-in-law, two wonderful grandsons, twin granddaughters and one pampered cat.
All staff members continue to update their education through reading, workshops and classes.
Updated: 10/25/10: L. Cook: J. VanGilder
