Amy Bosco

Background
Amy Bosco is our Studio Teacher. I’d like to introduce myself and the SSCS Art Studio! Our family moved from Boston to Tucson 8 years ago when my husband, Gio, started his Genetics research lab and teaching position at the U of A. I have a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Brandeis University and practiced in a prenatal center in Boston for 7 years. Since moving to Tucson I have put my genetic counseling career aside while staying home with our three children, William (9), Sam (7) and Mary (4). William and Sam are both SSCS alums and Mary will be a Butterfly. SSCS has become our family’s home away from home, and I am looking forward to spending even more time in this rare oasis. Some of my fondest childhood memories include making beautiful things alongside a patient, fun, and nurturing adult (my mother). I’d like to pass on those fond feelings for art and exploration to our children here at SSCS. My goal is to offer open ended projects that give the children another avenue for communication and expression. Children will use fine and gross motor skills while they experiment with objects from nature, recyclable materials, light/shadow and texture. The projects may parallel the Tucson seasons or what is happening in each classroom. There will also be opportunities for collaborative projects. Working in the Studio will excite the natural curiosity of our children, and I hope the children will guide the projects themselves with their own ideas and interests. I do expect the Studio projects will evolve, and I am curious to watch how the children modify the projects they are offered.

Julia Butler

Background
Julia started the school with Peggy Sterner in 1991. They were first located at West University Children's School and moved to the current location about 9 years ago. Julia graduated from Wheelock College and received a M.Ed.in 1991 from the University of Arizona in Special Education Administration. Julia has three beautiful grown children-- Andy, Eliza and Hannah-- and they and their father, Scott Butler (Scotty Dog), share Julia's passion for children and are involved in the school in varying capacities. Julia started her preschool experience in the Peace Corps in West Africa. Julia has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to the education of early childhood teachers as recipient of the Mary Frobisher Teacher Education Award (TAEYC, 1996). Julia is also a consultant with Caliber, and ICF Consulting Company. She has been working with various US Air Force child development centers to help develop meaningful and authentic curriculum. Julia will be traveling to Reggio Emilia in the spring of 2008 to spend a week studying early childhood education practices inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.

Laurie Butler

Background
Aunt Laurie will continue to support the Bear Classroom.

Jenny Douglas

Background
Jenny Douglas is our Executive Director. From as long as she can remember Jenny has always felt passionately about her strong desire to work with young children and their families. Jenny began her journey at Second Street as a student and finds pleasure in watching her both own children and the other students delight in playing, taking risks and learning in the same physically and emotionally safe environment she once enjoyed as a child. A graduate of the University of Arizona, she resumed her relationship with Second Street as a teacher in 1991. In her professional career Jenny has always worked with young children and their families. In addition to her service in home based environments where her focus was working with children and families with special needs, she also has over 15 years experience working in the classroom setting as a classroom teacher and as an administrator. Jenny and her husband Gawain are the proud parents of 3 delightful, spirited children and place great value in their family most of whom live in Tucson. As newlyweds they spent two years living in Scotland. Upon returning to Tucson Jenny was happy to once again continue being part of the Second Street community as a parent, associate director and member of the board. In May of 2009, Jenny became the lead director after a four-year transition period during which she was fortunate enough to have had the amazing experience of working closely with her mentor and friend Julia Butler.

Sidney Engs

Background
Sidney comes to us from Pima College. Sidney's passions include gourmet cooking, and gardening-- interests and talents she shares enthusiastically with our Second Street Children (and adults!)

Eve Goldfarb

Background
Eve was born and raised in New York City! She graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Sociology, and moved to Tucson in July of 1998 when her husband got a job at the U of A. Eve has worked with children at various times during her adult life and also taught English privately in Japan. Eve's son Mo, attended SSCS (and that's how we found her, too).

Teacher Statement
I love the sense of community at SSCS and the way children are taught, nurtured, respected and honored.

Catie Hutchings

Background
Catie joins the Second Street School community with much joy this month. She began her journeys as an educator and facilitator for children in Boston. These experiences led her to Arizona where she graduated from Prescott College with a Bachelors of Arts in Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies. She is incredibly excited to bring her love of children, art, the outdoors, and creative learning adventures to the Rainbow Room.

Jaime Johnson

Background
Jaime has lived in many different places, but she was happy to settle in Tucson in 2001. Jaime finished her degree in Elementary Education at Prescott College and she has taught Kindergarten and First Grade for Tucson Unified School District. After a few years of feeling a bit like a fish out of water, Jaime was thrilled to find Second Street School to be a place that shared many educational philosophies dear to her, especially that children learn best through play. Outside of school, Jaime enjoys spending most of her time eating at Rincon Market with her husband, Clay and daughter, Tula.

Katie Kurtin

Background
Katie will be supporting all our morning classrooms as well as focusing in on and supporting documentation in all 4 classrooms.

Alisa Metzger

Background
Alisa Metzger has lived in AZ for about four years. She was born and raised in Stafford, VA. Her husband Michael is in the Air Force and this is what brought them to Tucson, AZ. She has a passion for young children and the arts. She has one child Vivian who is 3 years old and fills much of her time with love and adventure. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004 with a BFA in Fashion Design and Pima 2010 with an AA in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working on her post back certification in Elementary Education.

Kariman Pierce

Background
Kariman is an Associate Director at SSCS. She oversees the administrative and business aspects of the school and assists Jenny in running all aspects of the school.

Teacher Statement
I really enjoy being able to support the teachers and assist parents here at Second Street School. I feel so lucky to be that fly on the wall that gets to watch the amazing teachers perform their magic daily. As I am also a parent here at the school and I see the "proof in the pudding" when my child comes home happy, inspired and ready to go back each day.

Sally Rodgers

Background

Alexa Sherar

Background
Alexa was born in Portland, Oregon and moved down to Tucson 5 years ago. She is currently working on an ECE degree from Pima Community College. She had the pleasure of working with our youngest children in the Sunshine Room.

Teacher Statement
I am very excited to be working with Alisa in the Sunshine Room. I love the Second Street community and am so thankful to be a part of it!

Peggy Sterner

Background
Peggy helped start Second Street Children's School. She began teaching five children in Julia's backyard and very quickly the school grew to include 40 children and they moved to their newly refurbished West University home. After five years at that location, the school moved to its present site. Peggy began teaching kindergarten in Tucson Unified School District. She also started her own business, Toy Traders, which she ran for many years! Finally she found her way to Second Street Children's School, where she is the heart beat of the school, in addition to the Senior Bear(kindergarten) teacher and Assistant Director. Peggy holds a B.S. degree from the University of Arizona in elementary education and early childhood education. She also is an early childhood trainer, and published author of articles about early childhood education.

Teacher Statement
I am thrilled to work in an environment where all of us are learning something new all the time. I delight in the discoveries of each child every day. It is gratifying to be part of a place like Second Street School where each person is recognized as creative and unique....children, teachers and their parents. I love coming to school!

Debra Taylor

Background
Debra has extensive experience working with children of various ages in both private and public school settings for over 20 years. Debra brings her experience as an educator and parent along with her passion as a lifelong learner.

Teacher Statement
Second Street offers a fun, exciting, hands-on approach to learning. We strive to create an inviting atmosphere for each child to feel safe, happy and welcomed.

Rhuta Wilson

Background
Rhuta is a long time resident of Arizona and a lover of all things desert related. Much of her time has been spent working with the Forest Service and Park Service as an interpretative ranger and guide. She is currently finishing a degree in pre-historic cultural anthropology at Prescott College and the Arizona Archaeology Society. Rhuta is happy to bring her love for children and natural history to Second Street School for the new year.