Our professional staff consists of a director/lead teacher, preschool teacher, and teacher assistant who have made teaching young children their life’s work. In addition, the Preschool employs college students who assist in each session under the direction of the adult staff. These favorable staffing levels mean the children get lots of individual attention during their time at College Preschool.
director and lead teacher
Karen has been our director and lead teacher since 1997. She holds a BA in Early Childhood from ISU and an MAE in Special Education from UNI. Before coming to Grinnell College Preschool, Karen taught early childhood special education in the Grinnell-Newburg School District. Karen has worked in the field of early childhood education since 1979, a background that includes positions at Head Start in Ames and Boone; Early Childhood Special Education in Malvern, Iowa and Shenandoah, Iowa; and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa. Karen was born in Carroll and has lived in Iowa her whole life.
“My husband Steve works at Mayflower Community. We have 2 children. Emma works in Des Moines and has a 6-year-old daughter, Marley. We love having her at grandma’s house! My son John is a senior at Coe College studying history.
I love to travel, to help with bird banding with Bob and Connie Van Ersvelde, and to raise Monarch butterflies at home and school.
I get so much energy from working with children – it truly keeps me young! My husband says I’m no different (than children) – just taller!
I love teaching preschool and am excited to work with all of you!”
Teacher Assistant
Connie Molison is our teacher assistant in all sessions. Connie was born and raised in Grinnell. She has taken classes in early childhood education at South Florida Jr. College and at Marshalltown Community College. She holds a paraeducator Level II certification and has been working with young children since 1987. Connie joined our staff in 1995, and prior to that, she worked at Grinnell Community Day Care.
“My husband is Ron Cooper, and he also works for Grinnell College as an athletic equipment manager in the Bear Athletic Facility. Together we share a love of music, especially the blues, and attending live music events. I also enjoy traveling, gardening, baking and watching movies and spending time with my family, friends and 4 cats, Bonnie, Selma, Hazel and Ziggy.
I love working with preschool-aged children. Their wonderment and enthusiasm for life and learning inspire me.
I especially like singing songs and doing movement activities with the classes. I hope that they come home and sing songs they are learning at school. If you ever want to come in and teach us some songs you know, that would be great! “
Preschool Teacher
Taylor is our preschool teacher. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated for the University of Northern Iowa with undergraduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education. She later completed her master’s degree at UNI in elementary education. Before beginning with the Grinnell College Preschool, Taylor taught kindergarten for seven years.
Taylor’s husband, Peter, works at Family Dentistry in Grinnell. Together they have a three-year old, Rory, one-year old, Archie, and six-year old dog, Reggie. They love taking walks to get coffee and donuts, visiting all of Grinnell’s wonderful parks, traveling to the beach, and trying new restaurants. Taylor also enjoy reading, visiting National Parks, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Her favorite part about teaching young children is watching them discover new things in the world around them. She says, “I am always inspired by their joy for life and learning!
“I’m so excited for a great year learning alongside you all!”
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