Meet the Kids' Co-op Teachers

From left to right: Vicky Thompson, Mindi Cooley, Teri Johnston, Lisa Fitzgerald,
Robin Rasor-Feder, Nancy Ferraro, and Michelle Goldyn.

Teri Johnston - M-F 3's teacher/director/Love and Logic Facilitator

I have been in early childhood for over 18 years. I have double Associates Degrees in Early Childhood with emphasis is Preschool and Infant Toddler. I am currently working on my BS in Early Childhood. I began working at the Co-op in 1996 while I was pregnant with my daughter. I left for two years to work at the Child Development Lab at CSN. When it was time for my daughter to start preschool I really wanted her to have the Co-op experience. That was over 8 years ago. I see the benefits of this program everyday in my daughter. My life is so enriched by my experiences I have had with the families that pass through our doors. I have made life long friends and work with an amazing staff. I can't imagine working anywhere else.

My husband Joe and I have been married for twelve years. We have three children. Chris is 23, Travis is 18 and Emma is 10. This past year we became proud grandparents of Hunter Daniel. I can hardly wait for him to attend the Co-op. My family is very supportive of my commitment to the school. My husband has spent countless hours over the years helping me.

I am also a certified Love and Logic Facilitator. I teach Becoming a Love and Logic Parent and Early Childhood Parenting Made Easy! I teach several times a year at our school and around the community.

Nancy Ferraro - Kindergarten

I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I received my undergraduate degree from UNLV and my Masters degree from Cal State University - Dominguez Hills. I taught in the Clark County School District for about 8 years. Three of those years I worked as a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) training new teachers in basic classroom management, brain research as it applies to education and lesson planning.

In 2004 I took a year off from teaching to work with my husband in his real estate business before finding out about Kids' Co-op. I have spent the past two years working as a pre-school teacher in the 2's room at Kids' Co-Op.

It has been a real joy working at the Co-Op. I feel good about working at a school where they value and respect a child's need to grow and learn through play. The Co-op makes time for each child to find their voice and be heard, to explore and discover, to feel valued and loved. All these principals extend to the parents and staff as well.

My husband, Terry Ferraro, and I have been married almost 10 years. We have one cat and no children. We love to travel and enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing, and anything else that is adventurous and fun.

Lisa Fitzgerald - (a.k.a. Mrs. Fitz) M/W/F 4's and Kindergarten Enrichment

I have a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. I taught Kindergarten for 1 year and this will be my 15th year teaching at the co-op (2's, 3's and 4's). I've been teaching at the Co-op since the fall of 1994, and have seen the Co-op grow and stretch into the phenomenal program it is now. I began my Co-op journey when my daughter, Katie started pre-school in the 2's class in 1992. I was the class co-coordinator and the vice president before I was hired as a teacher. My son, Adam, and I began pre-school together when he was two, and here I am... I'm 40 years old and still in pre-school! My husband, Greg, a captain for the Clark County Fire Dept and I have been married for 18 years this August. It seems as though the Co-op has always been a big part of our lives. I will always be thankful to the Co-op, and all the children and their families, who have blessed my life with friendship, patience, wisdom, and strength for the journey.

Mindi Cooley - T/TH 4's and Kindergarten Enrichment

This will be my 6th year teaching at the Co-op and my 9th year (without a break!) as a Co-op parent. My two oldest sons (Ian, 10 and Brian, 8) started at the Co-op in the 2's and went all the way through the program and my youngest (Sean, 4) is in his 3rd year at the Co-op. Needless to say, I love the Co-op and I truly believe it is the best place for kids! I was so excited when I found the Co-op because I wanted a place for my kids where they could truly experience all the joys of being a kid and where I could play, learn and grow right along with them. We have gotten that and so much more! I am blessed by all the experiences we have had at the Co-op and look forward to many more. I feel especially honored that I also get to continue to make new memories with my "extended families" as a teacher. Jim and I have been married for 13 years and together for 19. Before teaching at the Co-op, I taught 1st grade in CCSD. Prior to being a mom and attending UNLV where I obtained my teaching license and Masters in Education, I worked at a Marketing firm in a Chicago suburb, after receiving my Bachelors degree in Foreign Language (French) and International Trade from Southern Illinois University

Robin Rasor-Feder - M/W/F 2's

I am excited to be teaching the M/W/F 2's class at a school I feel passionate about. This will be my first year as a teacher, but my fourth year at the school. My daughter, Sami, attended the Co-op for three years starting in the 2's class. After Semi's last year at the school, I felt mixed emotions as I did not want to leave the Co-op environment. Now, I feel I have come full circle at the Co-op. I served on the Board of Directors as Vice President (05-06), and as President (06-07) and know what it means to be a member and leader of a Co-op as well as the importance of being an involved parent. As a teacher, I hope to be able to use that knowledge to benefit the new parents at the Co-op.

I have a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Art from the University of South Carolina, and am currently obtaining my Masters in Health Administration for the University of Phoenix. I love to learn and as a lifelong student myself, I hope to instill an early love of learning in my students. I am now furthering my studies in early childhood. For the past several years, I have taught summer camp at the Co-op and Art Camp for Co-op graduates.

I'm looking forward to a wonderful and exciting school year!

Michelle Goldyn - T/TH 2's

I am very excited to teach the 2's class on Tuesday and Thursday. I have a daughter named Ashleigh, whom has just finished her 4 years at the Co-Op and is entering first grade. My husband, Brian, and I are proud of her and know she has everything she needs to start her grade school journey. I have lived in Las Vegas for 17 years. I graduated from our very own Western High School and UNLV with a bachelors in secondary education, emphasis on English. I am now furthering my studies by taking classes in early childhood. I briefly taught at Johnson Middle School and Cheyenne High School but soon left to continue working for the City of Las Vegas Aquatic Unit. I oversaw all the aspects of the aquatic unit including the training and hiring of 250 employees, programming, marketing, and purchasing with a million dollar budget. After 5 years of having what I thought was my dream job, Ashleigh came into our lives and I turned all my attention to taking care of her and understanding child development. I have not just been staying home with her; it has become my job and my passion. From there I fell in love with the Co-Op and watching very young kids explore and learn. I have been a substitute for the teachers in all classrooms for the past couple of years. I am really blessed with where my life has brought me and I, like Ashleigh, am beginning a new adventure in my life.

Vicky Thompson - Office and Teacher Support

I graduated from NAU with a BA in Business Administration with an emphasis on data processing. I have also taken several seminars in childhood education. Before coming to the Co-op, I worked for Pepsi- Cola for 14 years working in the computer department.

My husband Curt and I have been married for 19 years and have a ten year old son Matthew. Matt attended the Co-op for three years. In the past 7 years at the Co-op, I worked as a working parent, a teacher sub, served on the Board and was the two's teacher for three years. I am currently working in the office, primarily serving as the teacher support position.