Classes & Teachers
The teacher is the designer of the child’s environment and maintains the rhythm of the day. He or she constantly interacts with the children and is engaged in an ongoing cycle of observation, guidance, and assessment. The relationship that the teacher develops with each child is instrumental in providing the safe and secure environment on which OCP prides itself. The teacher also helps children work through disagreements as an unbiased mediator.
Another important relationship that the teacher nurtures is the relationship with the parent. Open communication with parents occurs on a regular basis, and the unique parent-teaching experience of the cooperative preschool allows for an even stronger relationship between parent, teacher, and child.
Relationships between caregivers/teachers and children and their families are the foundation of a child’s development of sense of self and security and his or her ability to relate to others and express feelings. Our low child-to-teacher ratio fosters this strong relationship between teacher, child, and family.
Every class at OCP is led by an experienced teacher with at least a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related area of study and extensive experience working with young children and parent education. Lead teachers are supported by a parent-teacher, and in the case of the oldest class–the Larks, an assistant teacher.
All teachers undergo an extensive interview process to determine their professional and ethical understanding of teaching young children. They must also understand and respect the parent’s role in a cooperative and value parent education. All are required to have current CPR and first aid certification.
Our Classes
Children are grouped in classes by age as of September 1st. This is the deadline used by the Georgia public school system, as well as most area private schools. Class structuring changes year by year based on membership needs.
Please contact admissions@oakhurstcoop.com with specific questions about how the upcoming school year is forming.
The Chickadees are between 24 and 29 months of age as of September 1. The Chickadees meet three days a week (MWTh).
The Owls are at least three years old as of September 1. Attendance options include two, three, four, or five days a week.
The Sparrows are at least three years old as of September 1. Attendance options include two, three, four, or five days a week.
The Larks are at least four years old as of September 1. Attendance options are four or five days a week. However, 5 days is strongly encouraged to prepare your child for a Kindergarten environment.
Larks (fours)
Shay McClung
Shay (she/her) is originally from Connecticut, and has called Georgia home for the past four years. Miss Shay lives with her partner and two wonderful sons. Alexzander and Ayden, inspire her every day and constantly remind her how much we can learn from children. Shay has worked with children in many different capacities; as an early education teacher, Registered Behavior Technician, Inclusion Case Manager, and Youth Program Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Family Studies, and is currently continuing her education through the Child and Adolescent Psychology program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Sparrows (threes)
Lindsey Shelander
Lindsey (she/her) has worked with young children for over fifteen years and holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about supporting children’s growth through creativity, curiosity, and meaningful connections. Becoming a parent inspired her interest in alternative early childhood education approaches that recognize children as capable and full of potential. She especially enjoys messy process art, sensory-rich play, and spending time outdoors. Lindsey believes that children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and inspired, and that strong relationships are essential to a positive classroom environment. Outside of school, she enjoys being outdoors, attending live music events, and spending time with her friends and family.
Owls (threes)
Shannon McGriggs
Shannon McGriggs (she/her) is the current Owls Teacher at Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool. She is a classically trained Violinist and has been teaching violin and viola in the Atlanta area since 1999. After her daughter graduated OCP she continued to sub at OCP and stay a part of the community. Now two years later has joined the staff. She is also has her Yoga RYT 200 and has held the yoga enrichment at OCP as well as teaching in studios in Atlanta. She is an artist and loves to express herself creatively. She loves gardening, cooking, and cuddling with her two golden retrievers Scully and Blanche. Shannon loves to spend her weekends being present with her family and friends whether that is hanging at the house filling it with smells of delicious food and laughter or meeting others out and about the neighborhood. She resides in Kirkwood with her Husband, daughter, and two precious Goldens.
Wrens (older twos)
Susan Diamond
Susan Diamond (she/her) has been involved in cooperative preschool education for seventeen years. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Georgia State University, with a major in French.
Eighteen years ago Susan and her husband, Michael, became parents, traveling to China to adopt their daughter, Ivy. Ivy began attending a cooperative preschool when she was two and a half. Soon after Susan became employed there as a substitute teacher, after-care teacher, and teacher’s assistant. She then became a teacher and taught a multi-age class of three- and four- year olds.
Susan believes that children at the preschool level learn through play, and from experiencing and exploring the world around them.
Her daughter is a sophomore at Georgia Tech and has an incredible enthusiasm for learning, which Susan attributes to early school years at a cooperative preschool.
Chickadees (younger twos)
Khye Blue
Khye Blue (they/them) is a childcare professional with over 10 years of experience working with youth of all ages. Khye received a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University, and they have 7 years of experience working with college students in multiple capacities (college students and toddlers have a surprising amount of things in common!). In addition, they have 5+ years of experience working with ages 0-5 in preschools, childcare, and music programs. Other experiences include being a day camp counselor for ages 6-12, teaching middle school English/Language Arts, and facilitating a pre-college program for high schoolers. Khye is a full spectrum doula who loves to practice yoga, hike, create art, sing, and dream of a world in which education is intuitive, culturally responsive, involves the whole family, and makes space for the messiness of being human. They are originally from Nashville, TN and have been in Atlanta for 10 years.
Teaching Assistants
Heather Spiegel
Heather strives to make each child feel welcome and safe in the classroom and assists Ashley Norton in the Larks classroom.
OUR MISSION
Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool creates a nurturing community that gives children and their families the opportunity to learn, communicate, play and grow together. In this positive, family-centered educational environment, we strive to develop each child's curiosity, empathy, confidence, self-discipline, and enthusiasm for learning.
By encouraging children to be active and creative explorers of art, music, literature, nature, and the community, we provide a foundation for acquiring the skills children need to succeed both now and in the future. We model sustainable practices through our curriculum, daily operations, and community events.
