The Rainbow Community Preschool Staff
Judith Beers, Preschool Lead Teacher
Judith Beers has been teaching in preschools for more than 30 years and over 20 years teaching at Rainbow. Judith has been in the role of Preschool Director but now is with us just in the mornings. She has a Bachelors Degree in Speech and Hearing and has her Montessori Teaching Credential for ages 3 through 6.
Judith started her career as a speech therapist but fell in love with early childhood education while visiting friends who had a preschooler. She was captivated by the enthusiasm and open-heartedness of their lively 3-year-old child. Wanting more of this “magic” in her life, Judith went on to pursue Montessori training.
Many years later, Judith still delights in her students energy and enthusiasm. She loves helping them explore and name their feelings, and she encourages them to use their words in daily interactions with peers and adults. Judith works very hard to create a classroom that supports clear and intentional communication. She enjoys watching her students develop their communication skills and learn to solve their own problems.
Judith’s favorite time of day is circle time, when everyone gathers to share and learn in community. But, she knows that much of her students’ learning occurs organically during unexpected moments throughout the day. This realization helps keep her grounded in the present as it unfolds with all of its surprises and mysteries.
When not in the classroom, Judith works in a local book bindery repairing and restoring books. She also loves to dance, garden, stretch, nap, read and drink chai. She is the proud mom of Grace, now 27, working on ‘coal issues’ in West VA.
Jessy Decker Tickle, Preschool Lead Teacher
Jessy Tickle has been teaching preschool at Rainbow Community for more than 14 years and received her early childhood certification in 2011. She studied art and education for 3 years at Warren Wilson College, and she has taken courses in early childhood education at Western Carolina University and AB Tech Community College.
As a child, Jessy always envisioned herself as a teacher but also loved artistic expression. When she first went to college, she felt torn between education and art. Education eventually won out when a friend suggested that teaching at Rainbow would be a great way to pursue both loves.
Jessy is passionate about helping her children articulate their needs, think for themselves and make wise community-based choices. She believes this approach gives her students the gift of clear and respectful communication; a gift that they can use throughout their lives.
Her favorite time of day is centering, when students are invited to offer appreciations for each other. She loves watching individual children progress from shyness to superficial compliments to genuine recognitions of their classmates strengths and kindness. Jessy also enjoys their morning yoga time.
When Jessy is not sharing art, stories, bubbles and hugs with her children, she grabs her favorite dance partner, her husband, and they swing, tango, waltz, zydeco, and salsa. Jessy also loves bookmaking, drawing, rubber-stamping, photography, reading, collecting faeries and playing with her two crazy cats.
Katie Waldowski, Preschool Teacher
Katie Waldowski received her BA in Anthropology and Women Studies from Cornell University and is working on completing her MA in Special Education at Western Carolina University. She has worked in preschool settings as an assistant and paraprofessional for 5 years and truly enjoys supporting preschoolers as they explore, imagine, create and grow.
Katie sees childhood as a special time that needs to be honored, protected and unhurried and, therefore, values learning environments that are creative, flexible and organized to teach to the whole child. Creative and imaginative play, daily rhythms and a home-like atmosphere are so important to early childhood education.
Furthermore, Katie believes that the seasons and environment offer their own curriculum and learning opportunities to the preschool classroom. Katie has attended trainings in Positive Discipline and Conscious Discipline and is always excited to learn more.
Prior to working in preschool classrooms, Katie worked in the fundraising departments at both an Environmental Education Children’s Museum and for the Sierra Club. Having lived in New York, Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Micronesia, Texas and American Samoa, Katie is content to finally have roots firmly placed in Asheville. Katie lives with her partner Mike, their two sons, Cadence and Phoenix and their three dogs. She spends her free time reading, playing with her children, enjoying nature, and scouting out the perfect farmhouse.
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Kate Couture, Preschool After-School Lead Teacher
Kate studied Studio Art and Art History at Florida State University.
She worked at a Reggio Emilia preschool in New Orleans and fell in love with the philosophy and working with young children.
In 2010 Kate moved to Asheville and right away heard about the wonderful preschool program at Rainbow Community and within days was a substitute teacher at the school.
Kate hopes to further her art education while incorporating her passion for working with young children by receiving her teaching license in Art Education.When she is not at school she enjoys running, cooking, taking her dogs on hikes, sewing and reading.
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Stevie Alverson, Preschool Lead Teacher
(photo coming soon)
Stevie Alverson is a new lead preschool teacher at RCS. She has ESL, elementary and also preschool teaching experience, most recently working at The Treehouse Preschool, a Montessori inspired school. After waiting 6 years for the opportunity to join the Rainbow Community, she is thrilled to finally be here!
Stevie enjoys crafting and exploring the outdoors with children, and is particularly interested in the Waldorf and Montessori approaches to early childhood education.
She believes children learn best when given responsibility and chances to have meaningful exchanges with their peers.
Stevie also completed a yoga teacher training in 2010 and enjoys embroidery, baking, and learning about animals in her rare but coveted free time. She loves and lives in West Asheville with her partner and their baby, Avia.
