Trillium Charter School

Genevieve Bouwes (Preschool Director)

It is wonderful to be working in early childhood education, the roots of my journey in the field of education. I received a Masters in Education from Bank Street School of Education in New York City 10 years ago. Although I went on to teach elementary education, my foundation and philosophy were based in the study and approach of work with young children. I enjoy children of all ages, but am finding the work of the preschool to be particularly rewarding. After years of teaching in a public school system, it is a pleasure to be on this path at Trillium in the company of 3-5 year olds who are hard at work discovering their world. As the mother of young children, I have been able to witness their natural desire to learn and experience from a new perspective. As a parent, I find my understandings as teacher have shifted or solidified in a way that cannot be compromised. Childhood is too precious a time to squander. The beauty of a young child engaging in discovery is in the forefront of my mind as I work to build the preschool program. As an educator, it has been a gift to work at a school which truly values how children learn and develop without the constraints of politics to stifle or direct this process.

Andrea Larson (Preschool Teacher)

Andrea Larson has been teaching preschool since 1995 when she began her teaching career at the University of Oregon's CCDC. Shortly after moving to Portland she was hired as a sub at a co-op in the NE where she met teachers to work and collaborate with for the next 10 years. Feeling that education was an important step in her path she received her Master's in Education in 2005 and began working at Rowanberry School that fall. After spending three years teaching and learning at Rowanberry she was ready for the challenge of a bigger classroom to share her excitement for young children with a larger community. It has always been her dream to work in a school that aligned with her values and mission in life and she is grateful to have found that at Trillium. In her spare time you can find her gardening, hiking, playing with her kitties, feeding her chickens, and sharing food with her family and friends.

Sarah-Luella Baker (Preschool Teacher)

For the past twelve years I have been working in the performing arts, teaching, dancing, performing, writing and playing/singing songs on accordion. My educational degrees are in Modern Dance (BFA, University of Utah) and Dramatic Arts and Choreography (MFA UC Davis). During the time I spent as a performing arts teacher, my teaching style naturally transformed into a constructivist model. Teaching in this manner--watching as kids made their own connections, and formed their own knowledge--is incredibly motivating for me. It feels like magic. I am grateful to have been led on this path to such truly connected work.

I believe that teaching children is an amazing way to learn about the world and oneself. I am very honored to work at Trillium, and with the teachers that are my partners. I have yearned for this job for many years, to teach and learn in a space where people are inspired to learn about who they are. Being here is helping me to usher in a new phase of my life, one infused with roots, family, and longevity. Oh, and of course I am totally in love with my beautiful family--my partner Peter, and my baby Lila Bluebelle.