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Meet Our Staff

Teacher Kayla

Teacher Kayla has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children for 20 years. Teaching in cooperative preschools, traditional preschools and childcare. Four of her five children attended cooperative preschools, where she was involved as a parent teacher and board member.
 
Kayla has a passion for children and their learning. She is a nurturing, compassionate, patient and fun teacher. Kayla implements developmentally appropriate curriculum through both child and teacher directed activities to support the whole child's development. Cognitive, social, emotional and physical, through a child's natural work; PLAY. As a mother of a child with special needs, she believe strongly in inclusion and giving every child a place in the classroom and community. 
 
Kayla and her family are longtime residents of Tigard. She loves spending time with her family, reading, being outdoors, and being involved in her children's many activities. 

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Teacher Lori

Teacher Lori has been in the cooperative preschool world for over 25 years and an early childhood educator for all of her adult life. Her cooperative teaching experience began in 1998
and has continued in various forms every since. “Once I began teaching in the cooperative environment, I could never go anywhere else. I truly believe that working together as a team -
the child, the family and the teacher - brings out the best in learning for all involved.”


Working with young children and their families is Lori’s passion and she loves to help families learn as much as they can about their children and how to navigate this magical, yet often
challenging, time of life. Learning alongside young children, in the classroom, is by far the best place to be!


Lori’s education is deeply rooted in early childhood. She has an AAS in Early Childhood, a BS in Education, and an MS in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Early Childhood. She has attended numerous conferences and workshops around the nation and LOVES to share her knowledge with families and fellow educators. She has also been very involved in Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO) as a former Teacher Engagement Chair and a Co-President.


Lori lives in Sherwood with her husband Jeff and a rambunctious Golden Retriever, Cabo. They have 2 grown children, who have given them 4 precious grandchildren - Tanner (14), Carter
(11), Bria Rose (6) and Dani Kay (20 mos). Carter and Bria Rose both attended CHP and Teacher Lori helped out in the classroom as a parent teacher and a substitute teacher for
Teacher Kayla.

Program Coordinator
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Kari Christensen

Kari joined the Creative Hands family in 2019 as a mom/parent-teacher, moving up to Board Secretary, and then Board President. A believer in being involved in your child's education (as a volunteer, parent teacher, etc), Kari has discovered a passion for the co-op model.

 

Active in her community, Kari currently serves as Co-President of the Northwest Children’s Theatre Alumni Association and is a Board Member of the Friends of the Sherwood Center for the Arts, as well as VP of Programming for the Vocal Summit Chorus. Additionally, 

Kari finds great joy as a Volunteer Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon where she has granted the wishes of over 35 children suffering from life threatening illnesses. Prior to starting a family she enjoyed a successful career working in higher education and non-profits. Now her days are spent as a volunteer at her children's school and running the kids around to their many activities. 

Kari and her husband have 3 children that keep them busy. As a family they enjoy traveling, camping, boating, fancy meals out, and playing board games. Kari also enjoys reading, and taking in local theatrical productions whenever possible.

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