Meet Jane Nolan of Park West Cooperative Nursery School in Lincoln Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Nolan.

Jane, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 1982 my son became a student at Park West. I was immediately drawn to Park West because it was a co-op with parents assisting in the classroom every other month or so. I knew it would be a safe place for my son to play with other children but had no idea how much thinking could happen at nursery school. I was incredibly impressed with the teachers and how they responded to the children, supporting them emotionally as well as intellectually. I was able to witness teacher’s interactions and conversations with children because I was actually in the classroom on a regular basis. That was life changing for me. I was able to take home and implement the ideas I was learning while assisting in the classroom. I became better able to acknowledge how my child felt while still maintaining a limit. I learned how to help my child connect with what he was doing and how that was affecting other people. Being an assisting parent at Park West made me a better parent at home. When my daughter began attending Park West, I joined the board of directors and became more acquainted with the inner workings and business side of school. Eventually I became board president. In 1989, when my children were in elementary school, I became a teacher at Park West. I went back to school, earning a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at UIC. Then in 2000, I became the school’s director.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can truly say that I have loved my many positions, as parent, board member, teacher and director, at Park West. But struggles and challenges are part of all aspects of life. This is a momentous time for us because after being in the same location since our founding in 1971, we have purchased our own building and are preparing to move to our new beautiful home next summer. Finding a new space in our neighborhood has been a challenge with many moving parts, but Park West is a strong community that has always worked together. Our search for a new home truly exemplified this fact. I was able to assemble a transition team of current and alumni parents, experienced in many fields, to lend their expertise and help us find and make this new home a reality. It has been the biggest challenge we have faced as a school, but it has been thrilling to watch so many come together to help Park West build a new home for the future.

Park West Cooperative Nursery School – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Park West is a parent cooperative nursery school, offering ½ day programs for young children. We specialize in helping young children grow, develop and learn through a play-based curriculum. We are serious minded about early-childhood education because 90% of a child’s brain is developed by the time they are 5 years old. We are a wonderful blend of a happy, loving place combined with a sophisticated understanding of how children learn.

The foundations of Park West are the same today as when parents founded our school in 1971. New students are enrolled through a blind lottery process, parents work in the classrooms assisting teachers, and we are committed to the idea that children learn through play. After 46 years, research is finally catching up with Park West, proving that play is truly the vehicle through which young children learn, access information, and make meaning of the world. It is important, however, that this play is productive, with curriculum based on educational theory, guided and supported by experienced, knowledgeable teachers.

Speaking of teachers – they like to stick around! As I mentioned, I have been an employee at Park West since 1989. But I am fourth in seniority. One of our teachers has been here since 1979, and even our newest co-teacher has been on staff for eight years. This kind of longevity has led to our being a cohesive group who take children’s and each other’s ideas seriously. It’s the ongoing discussion that makes our multi-generational staff unique. We have a kind of apprenticeship here for assistant teachers, so that before they become leads they work with mentor teachers. Our teachers have a deep understanding of children and how they learn. So our program is about intellectual development and emotionally supporting children as they learn and make discoveries, as well as begin to widen their view and become productive members of a group. We are building good citizens here.

Our sense of community also makes us stand out. We don’t lose track of families and they don’t lose track of us. We stay in touch with each other. Most of our summer camp counselors are former Park West students. And the move to our new space has really been possible, in part, because of all the alumni parents, many of them with children in high school, college, and beyond, who have come together to ensure that Park West remains a vital and beloved educational institution.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think professional success is being able to do something you love, something that is meaningful to you and Park West is certainly that for me. I love being at the door every morning and afternoon greeting all of the children as they arrive at school, seeing those happy faces excited about what lay ahead in the classrooms. I am able to work everyday with teachers and staff who I admire and respect for their dedication to the children in our care. I am also very close to our parents as we work together to support their children’s growth and development. A significant goal of parent cooperatives is parent education and parents rely on me for information, advice, and guidance. We often refer to our community at school as our Park West family and it truly is my second family. I am proud of the work we do at Park West and, really, it’s my honor and privilege to be there.

Pricing:

• Tuition ranges from $1,970 to $9,750.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2335 N. Orchard St.
  Chicago, IL 60614
• Website: www.parkwestcoop.org
• Phone: 773-327-1115
• Email: parkwest@parkwestcoop.org

Image Credit:
Mary Rafferty
Caroline Carey

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