{photo credit: Jessica Wilson, staff photos: Michelle Dorman}
NOTE about weekend events: On Fridays we often let you know about any family-friendly events and activities happening around our community. Because of Friday Faces, we haven't been focusing on the weekend events. But they will resume when we finish this series! In the meantime, here's a wonderful resource for all kinds of local events, if you want to find out for yourself: Kiddos a Go-Go. (It's where we often find out about fun things to do, so we can share them with you – now you know our secret!)
Happy Friday! We would like to introduce you to the Primary team. Thanks to this group, our first and second graders are curious, active, engaged learners. Thank you teachers, for sharing yourselves with our students each school day, and with our families today!
Jennifer Perneel
Primary Lead Teacher, Primary Core Teacher (Track B), Primary Science Teacher (Track B), Friday Foundations Lead Teacher
Q: How long have you been at SLOCA?
A: I took a year off after my daughter was born but was originally hired in 2006(!).
Q: What brought you here? How did you discover our school?
A: I had resigned from my teaching position in a local district and planned to leave teaching altogether when we moved to another part of the county. I came across the SLOCA job posting on accident and was immediately intrigued. After spending hours on the blog (it was just a blog, then!) I begged my husband to locate my school boxes in storage and immediately applied. That was in Spring of 2006! SLOCA saved my teaching career.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader! I still have the picture I drew for my 1st grade Open House. After that, it was always split between being a veterinarian or teacher. I actually completed 4 years at Cal Poly as an Animal Science/Pre-Vet major before switching to Child Development.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
A: Ummm… does that include the boxes under my bed and in the garage?
Q: What do you like on your pizza?
A: Pizza is my favorite! I will eat most any kind but my favorite is Veggie.
Q: Name a book you read this summer and enjoyed, or have read this year.
A: I just counted and have 18 books on my nightstand. I love books! The one I started this summer is Travelling to Infinity by Jane Hawking.
Corin Koren
Primary Core Teacher (Track A), Primary Science Teacher (Track A), Friday Foundations Primary Teacher
Q: How long have you been at SLOCA?
A: This is my first year!
Q: What brought you here? How did you discover our school?
A: I was a substitute for the school last year and loved the learning environment of SLOCA. When an opportunity arose for a permanent position, I jumped at it!
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Believe it or not, I wanted to be a teacher. This was mainly because of my love for my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Babcock.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
A: 22!! Including sandals and boots…
Q: What do you like on your pizza?
A: Pineapple! Or lots of veggies.
Q: Name a book you read this summer and enjoyed, or have read this year.
A: The Other Boelyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Melinda Fragasso
Primary Core Teacher (Track A and B), Primary Art Teacher (Track A and B), Friday Foundations Primary Teacher
Q: How long have you been at SLOCA?
A: Four years (Core for three and art enrichment for four)
Q: What brought you here? How did you discover our school?
A: I learned about SLOCA from Caroline Vaccaro when I moved back to SLO. It was one of the places I taught art at my first year back in the area.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I did not have a strong idea of what I wanted to do when I was a kid. I was a dreamer who read and drew a lot. I guess I still get to do those things as a grown up!
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
A: I have 27 pairs of shoes including flip-flops, tennis shoes, heels I rarely wear and other various shoes. I also have 7 pairs of boots. Many of those have been in my closet for over 10 years! Maybe I should go through my closet? I have a hard time getting rid of things.
Q: What do you like on your pizza?
A: I like to grill my pizza on the bbq with olive oil, artichoke hearts, pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes and basil on top. When cooked, I drizzle it with balsamic glaze.
Q: Name a book you read this summer and enjoyed, or have read this year.
A: I read It's What I Do by Lynsey Addario this summer. It was an amazing autobiography of one of the only women war photographers. Very interesting read! I’ve also read 12 other books so far, mostly mysteries. And of course, I have read all of Trimester 1 history/literature books too. I like to read!
Kaitlyn Perry
Kinder-Intermediate Music Teacher (Track A and B), Academy Class Music Teacher
Q: How long have you been at SLOCA?
A: I have been at SLOCA for a year and a half.
Q: What brought you here? How did you discover our school?
A: I was connected to SLOCA through Amy Calloway. We met through Music Motive – the music studio where I teach.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Growing up in Nebraska, I always thought it would be fun to be a storm chaser!
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
A: 27
Q: What do you like on your pizza?
A: I love Hawaiian pizza! Pineapple, ham, onion, and sometimes jalapeños.
Q: Name a book you read this summer and enjoyed, or have read this year.
A: I enjoyed a book called Creativity, Inc. written by Ed Catmull who is the president of Pixar and Disney animation studios. It is a very engaging book about finding true inspiration and learning to form environments that allow for full creativity.
