Patricia Sauer received her Early Childhood Care & Education certificate from Capilano College and holds her Early Childhood License from Victoria. Upon joining Tom Thumb Preschool in 2002, Patricia continued her studies at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design on a part-time basis and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts in 2006. Patricia plans to further her education by pursuing a Master’s degree in art therapy through the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute’s part-time studies program while continuing to teach at Tom Thumb. Her interests in creativity and art and working with young children bring a unique dimension to Tom Thumb’s programs. Patricia is a warm, sensitive and capable teacher with whom the children easily make connections, and who understands both child development and the fundamental ideas of working with parents. Her commitment to nurturing Tom Thumb’s sense of community fosters a unique atmosphere where a home away from home is created for both children and parents.
Jennifer Medak graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Capilano College in 2001. Upon graduation she began an eight-year journey as a teacher and eventually Director at Little Ark Preschool. Most recently Jennifer worked at The Vancouver Child Study Center as Program Coordinator/Administrator.
Over the years Jennifer has discovered a true passion for teaching and recognizes the astounding capabilities and potential of young children as well as the power of family and Community.
In the classroom Jennifer believes children learn best through play and when they are given opportunity to explore and learn in ways that are meaningful to who they are as individuals. Jennifer works with her teaching team to create an environment that is creative, engaging and full of wonder. She focuses on providing children with rich social experiences that give them the opportunity to practice empathy, kindness, patience, and respect for themselves, others and their environment.
Jennifer’s greatest passion lies in helping to foster and nurture the relationships that are formed with a school community and between children, teachers, families and caregivers.
Joan Schumann has followed her passion for teaching and working with young children for over thirty years. Joan joined Tom Thumb in January of 2011 to fill in for a Maternity Leave. She is thrilled to be able to join us again in September.
Originally licensed in ECE in her native San Francisco where she taught for ten years, she moved to Vancouver with her husband and two young sons in 1983. In 1986 while teaching at Strathcona Preschool, she went to Langara College and decided to once again do her ECE. Upon completing her certification in 1988, she was hired and worked at St. Giles PPP until her retirement in 2009.
Joan is passionate about what she believes is possible for young children. Learning through play, the philosophy of PPP, is what Joan has committed her passion to. She believes that listening to children and following their spontaneity, curiosity, and imagination is what creates lasting, joyful, and true learning.
Being respectful of children individually and as a group is represented in the environment that Joan provides. Joan tries to provide an environment that is rich in opportunity and possibility for children to grow and develop who they are now, and to provide opportunities to discover who they may become.
Through all the areas of programming: art, music, literature, science, and drama, Joan provides a nurturing, loving, and thoughtful environment. Joan believes that social skills are an inherent part of the learning process and welcomes them all, not as an obstacle to learning, but as an opportunity.
Joan is most at home with working with children and families. Tom Thumb provides that crucial link between children family and community, the link that is unique to PPP.
Stephanie Hart will complete her Early Childhood Education diploma at Langara College in August of 2011. While studying at Langara, she was awarded the Patricia Mackenzie scholarship that recognizes a student for academic excellence and a commitment to children and the field of early childhood education.
Her passion for teaching children began at a young age as a dance instructor in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Before deciding to obtain her ECE diploma, she had the opportunity of working with children with extra support needs as a Teacher Assistant for the Saskatoon School Board. This led her to realize that working with young children was something that she wanted to pursue and be involved in for years to come.
Stephanie is a very positive, caring and outgoing person. She strongly believes in play-based curriculum, following the interests and developmental levels of each individual child. She also believes in the importance of creating an atmosphere of trust, respect and security to develop and maintain positive relationships between teachers, families and the children, while aiming to connect the children’s learning to their outside community.
