After 6 years as a parent at MSPC, Jasmine’s love for co-op couldn’t be denied. She joined the teaching team in 2019 and couldn’t wait to use her collective knowledge from her colleagues and trainings to lead the 3/4s class. Jasmine is always eager to share her love for the play-based model and co-op philosophy. She also serves on the ICPC board and is a Classroom Participation Trainer.

Jasmine watched her two boys thrive in ways she never imagined at MSPC. She quickly realized that co-op preschool is more than just a learning experience for the children but rather the entire family. Her studies in Sociology from Indiana University opened her up to the world of nonprofit organizations and the desire to work directly with people, children in particular. She has a passion to continue learning and growing, and believes we can all learn a lot from our preschoolers!

Jasmine lives with her husband, two sons, three dogs, and a bearded dragon.

“I believe it’s our job as adults to set children up to succeed. My classroom is filled with “yes” activities and resources for them to easily learn through play. I try to provide them with opportunities to use their strengths, and maybe sometimes their weaknesses, to make new experiences every day.”

Tuesday & Thursday – 9:30am – 11:45am
* Optional Extended Day Thursday 11:45am – 1:30pm

When Mrs. Spaniol, our 4/5s teacher, was home with two young children she dreamed of teaching at a co-op school someday. Now she’s living that dream at MSPC where her own children, now teenagers, once attended. Not only does she believe in and understand the co-op philosophy based on her experiences as a co-op parent, but she also knows how children best learn based on her experiences outside of the preschool.

Mrs. Spaniol’s dream job at MSPC began in 2016 but her teaching experience started many years earlier. Before preschool, she was an elementary school teacher with several years spent as a Reading Teacher. She has an Elementary Education degree from the University of Illinois and has completed Reading Recovery Training at Purdue University. Her teaching experience has become the foundation for the creative, play-based curriculum she uses in the classroom. The kids have so much fun interacting with her intentional activities that they don’t distinguish between learning and play – just how it should be.

“I love the co-op philosophy of learning through play. Children need time to play, explore, and discover. Through play, children grow socially, physically, and cognitively. It is exciting to see their growth each year!”

Monday – 9:30am – 11:45am
* Optional Extended Day Monday 11:45am – 1:30pm
Wednesday – 9:30am – 1:30am
Friday – 9:30am – 11:45am

Get ready to kiss your brain when you join MSPC’s 4/5s extended day class with, Mrs. Kauffman & Mrs. Spaniol. She believes self-directed learning through play is the smart way to go. She developed a love of the co-op philosophy while her son was attending MSPC with Mrs. Spaniol’s kiddos.

Prior to joining MSPC, Mrs. Kauffman worked as an editor for national children’s magazines Turtle Magazine for Preschoolers and Humpty Dumpty. While at the magazines, she became the in-house expert on early learning standards and age appropriate activities. She has translated that experience into classroom curriculum that sparks imagination, cooperation, and sometimes giggles with a primary focus on social and emotional development.

“I see myself more as a facilitator than a teacher – I set up the classroom intentionally and with purpose for growth and development and then I get out of the way so the kiddos can get to work directing their own learning at their own pace. I react to their needs while also making sure kiddos have opportunities to develop their social and emotion skills through cooperative play, sharing, taking turns, and imaginative play.”