Windmill has a staff of teachers and a director with more than 60 years of collective experience teaching at Windmill. Each of our teachers is an early childhood specialist experienced at working with young children and their parents.
Each class has a group of teachers operating as a team, with a head teacher responsible for cooridinating the curriculum, gathering observations, and conducting twice-annual parent conferences. The teachers are always open to questions, concerns and suggestions.
THANKAMMA POULOSE - Director
Thankamma was born and raised in India and moved to the U.S in 1977. She lives in Belmont with her husband and together they have raised two daughters and a son. Thankamma has a B.A in English Literature and an A.A in Early Childhood Education. Her professional experience includes 6 years as a teacher and 7years as an Assistant Director at the Whistle Stop Child Development Center in Palo Alto (2000-2007). As a teacher and an administrator she has experienced the NAEYC accreditation and re-accreditation processes. In her spare time she enjoys fitness, cooking, music and travel.
TEACHER JODI - Assistant Director and Head Teacher Pre-K Program.
Jodi has a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and a double minor in Psychology and Family Relations from California State University, Chico. Her credentials also include teaching Parent Education. Jodi has been in the field of early childhood education for many years. Her professional experiences include being a Head Teacher for four years at a corporate child care center. She also taught children and parents at Redwood Parents Nursery School in Redwood City (where she went to preschool as a child!) Jodi came to Windmill in January 1997 as the Head Teacher in the Pre-K Program. In 2000 she added Assistant Directing to her role. Jodi lives in Redwood City with her dogs Guinness and Zoey. She enjoys decorating her new house, traveling, scrap booking with friends, reading and spending as much time as she can with her nieces and nephews!
TEACHER LESLEY - Teacher Threes/Fours Program and Resource Specialist.
Lesley grew up in Bath, England, and moved to California in 1975. Lesley has her certificate in Early Childhood Education from Canada College. Before coming to Windmill in 1990, Lesley taught for many years at Trinity Preschool in Menlo Park. Lesley has a love for science, which she brings into the classroom. She enjoys reading, especially about Native Americans. Her other interest is dinosaurs. Lesley has been on digs to Wyoming and Montana. Lesley loves soccer.
TEACHER ALEXA - Head Teacher Twos/Threes and Teacher Pre-K Program.
Alexa graduated from San Diego State University in 1997 with a B.S. in Child and Family Development. Prior to coming to Windmill in 1999, she taught at Stanford Arboretum Children's Center. Alexa has worked with children of all ages in the past 17 years; including 6 summers of volunteer work. Alexa grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives in Redwood City. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out, embossing, photography and reading.
TEACHER MARIA - Head Teacher Threes/Fours Program and Teacher Twos/Threes Program.
Maria was born and raised in Lima, Peru. After she finishing her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood in 1991, she moved to Los Angeles, California and has been working with children ever since. Maria moved to the Bay Area in 1995 when her husband was accepted to Stanford University. Six months later, she began working at Stanford Children Center and stayed there for over 10 years. During that time, her daughter was born and since then all of her joy and spare time has had a name, Aleyeh. She enjoys spending time with all her family, especially during the holiday season. She also enjoys playing and watching tennis and volleyball.
TEACHER SHAINA - Teacher Twos/Threes and Pre-K Programs.
Shaina recently graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a double minor in Human Development and Education. While in Davis, she finally discovered her passion for working with young children after a year as a caregiver in a toddler program. Shaina grew up in the Bay Area and has returned home to San Carlos after graduating. On her free time she loves to attend San Francisco Giants games, watch movies, and spend time with family and friends. Shaina is excited to be a member of the Windmill team and is looking forward to getting to know all of the families.
TEACHER MARION - Teacher Twos/Threes and Threes/Fours Programs.
Marion was born and raised in Berkeley and earned her Bachelor's degree in History from Humbolt State University. While raising her children, Marion joined the Early Child Education field and earned her Child Development Permit from Canada College. She has had previous experience substitute teaching at many preschools and substituted for Windmill before she was hired full time. She lives in Foster City with her husband, her teenage son and daughter, and a puppy. Marion loves reading, sewing, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She recently took a dream trip to Ireland and would love to go back someday soon!
SUBSTITUTES - Windmill teachers substitute for each other whenever possible. The Director will have a pool of available substitute teachers and all substitutes must go through the required clearance procedures.
ALL STAFF MUST MEET STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
WINDMILL SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
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