Staff Information

La Escuelita is committed to working with our staff and with the greater early childhood community to develop bilingual bicultural teachers that:

1. Are fully bilingual, bicultural, bi-literate; are extremely resourceful with excellent problem-solving and collaborative leadership skills; and are prepared as agents of change and advocates for children and families.
   
   
2. Continually assess the social, political, and cultural contexts within which children and families live, grow, and develop; are aware of how culturally based social interactions shape development; and model strategies for supporting children in resisting bias, rejecting negative cultural messages, and developing their own sense of cultural self.
   
   
3. Recognize parents as first and primary educators of their young children; are aware of culturally specific child rearing and educating practices; and enter into dialogue and partnerships with parents.
   
   
4. Know the processes associated with children developing their first and second languages; are aware of the impact of racial discrimination on linguistic and intellectual development; and establish culturally democratic learning communities in which children are not forced to choose between academic success and their cultural community, but instead develop critical, creative and culturally relevant thinking skills in both languages.
   
   
5. Are familiar with bilingual culturally relevant models of education; assess language and cultural backgrounds of children, parents, and staff members; observe the play and interactions of children; and design and implement program models that respond to the specific linguistic, cultural, and developmental needs of children, families, and staff members.
   
   
6. Understand the role of culture and language in people’s lives; understand culturally relevant anti-bias approaches to education; and build curriculum based on the experiences, generative themes and interests, cultural and linguistic histories, and observations of play and interaction of the children and families in their programs.

La Escuelita has been in operation for over 30 years. Executive Director Carmen Massó has extensive experience in the field of early childhood education, and holds a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Bicultural Education. In addition to her leadership role at La Escuelita Bilingual School, she is also a published author and educational consultant in the field of bilingual education.

La Escuelita has a qualified staff and very little staff turnover. The staff is required to have a Child Development Associate Certificate, and an AA or BA in the field of Bilingual Bicultural Education depending on their job requirements. The staff is also required to additionally participate in the following training:

• First Aid CPR Class
• HIV/AIDS Training
• Food Handlers Permit
• Anti-Bias Curriculum Training
• Ten hours of Professional Development

Staff undergoes annual evaluations and on-going observations to assist them in their professional development.

La Escuelita has additional support services from an Early Childhood Development Specialist that provides technical assistance on site through Shoreline Community College.  A nutritionist and consulting nurse are also available to provide technical assistance and training.

Professional Development and Training Opportunities

La Escuelita provides training in the field of early childhood education. Please contact us for a schedule of our training classes.  Classes are conducted in English or Spanish. The following are topics covered through our training program:

1. Growth and development
   
2. Behavior management
   
3. Multi-ethnic children and families
   
4. Bilingual bicultural development of preschool children
   
5. Curriculum development in early childhood education programs
   
6. Supervision and management in early childhood education programs
   
7. Twenty Hours STARS training

For more information regarding professional development opportunities, please contact us at 206-856-8932 or email info@laescuelitaschools.com.