Teacher Elizabeth

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Welcome to Cathedral Park Preschool,

Parents and children alike come to Cathedral Park and find that they have joined a community of learners. Our classroom and curriculum reflect the interests, culture and needs of our students and their families. Play and community drives our days, whether we are mixing up slime, dressing up as astronauts, or painting stained glass windows. We work collectively to encourage the sharing of knowledge, social bonds and play-based learning. As a former Cathedral Park Preschool parent, I can attest to the long term benefits of this cooperative community.

My family ventured into this community fifteen years ago. My sons’ Henry and Charlie both spent their preschool years at Cathedral Park and to this day have dear friends that they made while building castles together during play time. I started my preschool experience as a parent helper, (who was slightly afraid of small children) but discovered through my time in the classroom, that I have a talent for working with young children and a passion for the cooperative preschool model. After becoming the school’s official substitute teacher, I returned to college to pursue a degree in early childhood education. I began my time at Cathedral Park never thinking that I would love preschoolers so much. Having conversations about “oobleck” to discovering different bugs on walking field trips, it has been a worthy adventure. Now as the lead teacher, it is my pleasure and privilege to work with children and their families as we take our preschool into the future.

Sincerely,

Teacher Elizabeth, a.k.a. Elizabeth Alt-Brown

Testimonials

I really appreciate the care Teacher Elizabeth puts into creating unique and varied art projects for the kids. I love to see what my daughter has created at the end of each day.

– Teresa

Cathedral Park Preschool is such a caring community. My son has made some terrific friends and we have too! 

– John

We love the regular theme changes that happen in the second room. So far this room has operated as a grocery store, a space station, an office, an animal clinic, a doctor’s office, and more. It is so fun for the kids and the theme changes are so conducive to imaginary play.

-Amy

Contact Us

If you have questions, or would like to schedule a tour please contact us with the form below.

The Benefits of Cooperative Preschool

A cooperative preschool is an organization run by a group of parents who want to participate in their child’s first educational experience. Parents help the teacher in the classroom, and hold a school job to aid in the maintenance and running of the school. Some parents may also serve on the board of directors thereby participating in decisions about the school and its programs.

Benefits to Children

  • New experiences and a wider world to explore and enjoy.
  • A teacher who encourages their sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Parents in the classroom, which guarantees an excellent adult-to-child ratio.
  • The opportunity to learn about the differences and rights of others by playing with children of similar ages.
  • Play equipment, learning games, expressive materials, and art activities not generally available at home.
  • Field trips, story-telling, musical and dramatic play, exercise for large motor muscles, and activities to stimulate small muscle coordination.
  • A positive attitude toward future school attendance.

Benefits to Parents

  • Participation in their children’s education away from home.
  • A better understanding of their children’s individuality through observing them with other children the same age.
  • A voice in school decisions and policy-making.
  • Education in child development and parenting skills.
  • Mutual understanding and moral support from other parents with the same concerns, interests, and challenges.
  • Memories of activities shared with children.

Cathedral Park Preschool is a member of Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (PCPO). The text on this page was adapted from information provided on the PCPO website.

Why pick CPP

Play based education has never been more important than it is in our hurried and busy world. CPP’s ratio is 1 adult to 4 children.

Nowhere else in north Portland can your child get as focused and individualized attention as they will at our amazing little school. Here at CPP your child is not one of 20 or 30. They are recognized as the bright, hilarious, creative beings that you know they are.

We still have some spots for the 2023-2024 school year.  We hope to meet you and your little scientist soon!