March 18, 2004

Almaden Parents' Pre-School director to retire

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

This year marks two momentous occasions: Almaden Parents' Pre-School's 35 th anniversary, and the retirement of its director, Betsy Ding, who has taught at the school for nearly 29 years.

Ding first became involved in the school in 1971, when her 4-year-old daughter Cathy attended, followed by her daughter Diana. During that time, she became president of the board, and inter-cultural chairperson. She started teaching in 1975, and became the director in 1977. “I knew the school well, had been the president for years, and was familiar with how it operated, so it was almost a natural thing to step up,” notes Ding. Others took notice, and in 1993, the California Council of Parent Participation Preschools presented her with an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2001, she was named Teacher of the Year.

Interestingly, Ding didn't start out on this path. In college, she studied to be a probation officer, graduating with a B.S. degree in social sciences and humanities from Oregon State University. However, when she applied to the probation department in Santa Clara County in 1966, where her husband was a probation officer, his boss told her that he wouldn't hire her because she was married to someone else in the department.

After having a child and becoming involved with the preschool, Ding realized what an impact teachers have on young children. “This is where it starts,” she says. “We can make a difference in their lives, setting a foundation, which might help them avoid probation later on. Having a child, I realized how important these years are. You see the natural blossoming of a child from day to day.”

“She started out as a teacher and found her passion,” says Ding's daughter Cathy Kawakami. “She's really great with the kids. As director, she has a hand in making sure things get done, and coming up with projects for the kids also gives her an outlet for her creative side. I'm there with my daughter now, and it's still a great school after all these years.”

Ding's other daughter, Diana Gill, agrees. “She really loves her job,” says Gill. “She is really good with both the kids and the parents in guiding them and giving them suggestions from her years of experience.” Gill recalls that at the school's anniversary party five years ago, adults fondly remembered her mother from when they were children, and shared memories of their time at the preschool, and of her as their favorite teacher.

“They receive a lot of Christmas cards from people they used to teach,” shares Gill. “It really shows that she touched people's lives and that's not something we get to do very often in our jobs.”

Ding views Almaden Parents' Pre-School (APPS) as an organization where parents are totally involved in the program with their children. “The parents, as part of the general membership, actually own the school and help steer and guide its path,” she comments. “Our philosophy is based on sequential child development. Children learn naturally through play by touching, smelling, seeing, hearing, and moving.” Ding believes in surrounding children with a rich environment that allows them to make choices. “In life, there are many choices, and they will encounter situations that they will have to learn how to solve,” relates Ding. “It's not just teaching them basic facts, but creating a situation where they can learn on their own, plus being there to guide them. This is the grade when you learn the rules of life. It's important that the children go to elementary school equipped with these social skills.”

“As part of their curriculum, the children are encouraged to explore their world through science experiments. The children plant seeds in our Grow-vue Garden, and can see carrots, radishes and green onions grow under the ground through the window,” shares Ding. Every year, they also observe incubated eggs so the children can see them hatch. “It's exciting for them,” Ding comments. “They usually keep the chicks for a month before returning them, and some of the families even adopt one. The preschool also keeps a pet guinea pig which the children adore. Other science projects include spraying ice sculptures with water, playing with baking soda and water, color mixing, bubbles, and water tables.

“The children play, experiment, and learn,” says Ding. “On a hot day, they'll splash each other and complain that they're wet. Then we'll talk about how they'd feel if it was a cold day, and I bring to their attention later that their clothes are getting dry. If they don't want to get splashed, I ask them what they can do to avoid it. We try to teach them problem-solving.”

Assistant Director Nancy Fraser will take over as director

Upon Ding's retirement, Assistant Director Nancy Fraser will take over as director. Ding and Fraser have worked so closely together for 25 years, that Ding compares their relationship to an old married couple. “Sometimes it scares us how well we work together,” says Ding. “We're starting to think alike. Sometimes we bring in the same lesson plans or stories. She's my very dear friend, and in our thinking we balance each other.”

Fraser also believes that their approaches and personalities perfectly complement each other. “She has strengths in science and art, and I have strengths in literature and music,” attests Fraser. “We both share a strong belief that children come first, and need to be appreciated and respected for who they are. Everything is a wonderful, new discovery for them, which makes it fun.” Fraser will miss Ding when she leaves. “She's just so much a part of how it is. It will be a huge change,” she says.

Natalie Wehr, whose daughter Alyssa currently attends the school, recollects attending the preschool herself as a child. “I remember all good things about it,” she says. “I remember the metal tricycles, and the swings, singing, and learning. They do all the same songs and games now that they did then.” She also has memories of Ms. Nancy and Ms. Ding.

“Betsy is a great teacher,” says Wehr. “She created a fun, outgoing curriculum. The children learn by playing and interacting with the other kids.” When she considered preschools for her daughter, this topped the list, and her other daughter will be coming here as well.

All three of Jenah Daneh's children (Clarissa, Zachary, and Netty Rose) have attended APPS. Daneh says that it's the teachers that keep her coming back, as well as the school's philosophy of letting a child develop naturally through exploration and personal growth. “As a teacher, Betsy is caring, thoughtful, nurturing, calming, and nice,” says Daneh. “She shaped the program as the director, and is constantly adding to it, and she is open to parents' suggestions.” At the end of the session, for half an hour, the parents meet with the teachers to discuss the day. “We talk about the things the kids have done, the problems they may have had, and the cute things they say and do,” says Daneh. “Sometimes we also discuss children's books, and development issues.”

Parent Anne Cordoni finds the preschool financially feasible, and enjoys contributing to the school. “My son and I made friends immediately and were made to feel welcome,” she says. As chairman of the ways and means committee,' Cordoni meets with other board members monthly. “We stay for an hour or more afterwards to chat,” she says, “and have gotten to know each other well.” Cordoni appreciates Ding's approach with the children. “Betsy is very conscientious about her students,” she says. “Betsy knows more than anyone I know about how to deal with different temperaments, attitudes, situations and problems. In about 30 years of working at this preschool, and raising kids of her own, she's seen it all.”

Pam O'Hara, whose two children, Kelly and Andy, attended APPS about 23 years ago, has fond memories of the school. “My children always liked the art stations,” she recalls. “One of the years, I was in charge of the arts and crafts committee. It was fun to come up with the art projects. I still have a box in the attic of all the little projects they did.” O'Hara also remembers circle time and singing the good-bye song at the end of the day. Most of all though, she enjoyed working with Ding and Fraser.

“Betsy as a director and teacher was wonderful,” said O'Hara. “She was patient, and understanding, and my role model. I loved her and Ms. Nancy to death.” O'Hara enjoyed volunteering at the school, and appreciated its parent-participation format. She believes that Ding's programs will continue under Fraser's guidance because their philosophies are so much alike. O'Hara has recommended the preschool to other parents over the years, and hopes to return to it one day with her own grandchildren.

In the future, Betsy plans to travel, spend time with her grandchildren, garden, volunteer with community organizations and schools in Morgan Hill, and substitute at APPS.

“I really loved being here and teaching all these years,” shares Ding. “It's a wonderful school. It's nice when you're able to work at a job you feel a lot of passion for, and believe in what you're doing. When you work with little children, you know you're having an impact on their lives, and because it's a parent co-op, you're working with the families as well, and we're all learning together.”

Almaden Parents' Pre-School is located at 5805 Cahalan Avenue, in San Jose. It offers one day classes for children age 1 year and 9 months old through age 5, which includes art, music, free play, snack, circle time, science, cooking, field trips and an intercultural program. APPS features a large playground with a new play structure, scooters, tricycles, and water tables, as well as a spacious classroom filled with natural light.