My name is Jo-An Palmer (better known as Mrs. Palmer to our
children at PANS).  I have been teaching at PANS for many
years.  I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and not only
have I been at PANS for over 20 years, but have also taught in
private schools for 10 years prior to this experience.   I attend
many seminars and workshops to enhance my ability to work with
our preschoolers and keep up with the changes of teaching young
children.  I have been a member of a local teachers' support
group where teachers, such as myself, who teach in similar
settings come together with a professional facilitator.  At these
monthly meetings, we share experiences and solutions to
problems.  I have also served as a past board member for the
Capital District Association for the Education of Young Children,
where I currently am a local and national member.  By attending
conferences through this organization, I am able to expand my
knowledge of young children. I have also chaired our local
Cooperative Schools Committee and provided workshops for
parents coming into the co-op as board members.  Through all of
these experiences, I feel I have grown not only professionally,
but personally, to become the best teacher I can possibly be.

The cooperative nursery school combines the joint experience of
the parent, child and teacher. Because parents are the helpers
in the classroom, they are able to share in and directly affect
their child's education at a fundamental level. PANS also gives
parents an opportunity to see their children relate to his/her
peers and see their growing social skills. Up until this time in the
lives of their child, the parent has been able to choose with
whom and when their child plays.  In this experience, they get to
see their own child react and interact with children placed
together only by developmental age groups.  This in itself can
help the parent guide and encourage their own child to become
the best they can be.

Our program offers a variety of activities, both structured and
unstructured, to prepare children and help make them ready for
the many years to come in their formal school life.  We strive
not only to develop socialization skills, but to help develop the
pre-skills necessary to read, write and become an active part of
a group.  We use group activities to teach skills necessary for
achievement later in elementary school.  Field trips also provide
our 3, 4 and 5 year olds to learn about the world around them.
Our children will leave PANS with a positive self-image and a
love of learning and a better understanding of the world around
them. I hope you have a better understanding of my approach to
teaching and guiding the children through pre-school.  Please do
not hesitate to call me with any further questions.

Thank you,
Jo-An Palmer
(518) 374-8760  
OUR TEACHER