Becky Brink is a native Portlander and has been teaching Early Childhood Education in the region for over 18 years. She gained extensive experience teaching in Preschool, Pre-K, and Private Kindergarten classrooms, until she became enchanted with a play-based, parent co-op teaching model in 2004 and realized she'd found her true calling. Two of her own children attended a local child-directed co-op program, and she can't think of a better way to introduce young children to a love of learning!
Believing the best way to teach an appreciation for lifelong education is to model it, Becky has continued honing her formal education throughout her career, seeking out intensive trainings through OAEYC and other private training programs, (including specialized programs to adapt school settings for inclusion of children with special needs, and trainings which enthusiastically promote early literacy in the classroom and home environments.) Becky's favorite part of every school day is leading the classroom Circle Time, reading myriads of books aloud to the students and encouraging their own beautiful imaginations to take root.
Becky lives in SE Portland with her husband and four daughters. She is a devoted foster/adoptive parent and civilian advocate for vulnerable children in the foster care system, and also volunteers as a youth/teen mentor for her local church. Becky can usually be found behind a camera lens, taking endless photos to document warm memories with family, creating messy art projects with her daughters, being an unabashed garden geek with her husband, or crafting gifts for loved ones with yarn and a pair of knitting needles.
Teacher Shelby began her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher. Working with children in the beginning of their formal education was a privilege and an amazing experience. She also has experience teaching music in after-school programs and incorporates her love for music any she can into the classroom. Her favorite part of the day has always been circle time, sharing stories and music with her students. After a few years of teaching, she was lucky enough to take time off after having her oldest child and has been spending the last few years at home surrounded by all things toddler. While at home with her children, she discovered a newfound passion for early education and focusing on a more play-based and child-led learning approach. She knows we are all lifelong learners and wishes to build upon her previous experience. She is originally from Alabama where she attended Auburn University earning a degree in Elementary Education. She lives with her two children, husband, and dogs. You will typically find her reading and working on some spontaneous home for DIY project in her spare time. She looks forward to working with families in this loving and caring community!
“The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.”