In an effort to provide elementary-age children with access to high quality, affordable after-school childcare, the Methow Valley School District has initiated a 5-Day Per Week, After-School Childcare Program. In less than three weeks, the program has grown from 6 students to 24 students!
Bo Thrasher, Elise Knight, and Claire LeDuc have been hired to serve as after-school childcare supervisors and will be working together as a team, providing supervision of this rapidly growing program. Please join us in welcoming Bo, Elise, and Claire!
Bo Thrasher
Bo arrived to the valley twenty years ago after instructing summer courses at the Outward Bound base in Mazama. She has a Masters in Education and a Waldorf Certificate. Her teaching experiences includes teaching in the Vermont Public Schools, the Shelburne Falls Waldorf School in Vermont, the Whatcom HIlls Waldorf School in Bellingham, the Waldorf inspired Pre-K through 2nd grade school in Mazama, and the Methow Valley Community School. In addition to her teaching experiences in a school setting, Bo has taught swimming lessons and helped coach the Methow Killer Whales for five years. Bo’s hope is to establish a safe, nurturing, creative and active environment for students in the after school care program. As a supervisor, she is looking forward to lots of time outside with the group exploring and finding meaningful work and projects!
Elise Knight
Elise moved to the Methow Valley twenty-five years ago. Elise has spent the past five years working with children as a Para-educator at Methow Valley Elementary School and as a toddler teacher at Little Star Montessori School. When asked how it has worked out, she stated, “It has been a great honor getting to know the community through farming, raising her son (who recently graduated from Liberty Bell), and being involved with our exceptional schools.” Elise added, “I’m in continuous awe of how deeply the adults in this community share their talents, time, and love for this place to all the children in our valley. I look forward to being a weekly presence in the lives of some of these children while they relax with snacks, games, outdoor activities, reading, and other indoor activities.”
Claire LeDuc
Claire LeDuc, a Liberty Bell graduate, has been working with children for the last seven years. When the opportunity to be a part of the MVES After-School Childcare program came about, it seemed like the perfect fit. A recent graduate of Montana State University, Claire grew up in the Methow Valley and after leaving for college, always hoped to someday move back. Claire stated, “No matter where I’ve found myself living, it never quite compares to being in the Methow.” As one of three after-school supervisors, Claire is looking forward to working with the other instructors to create a safe, fun, and exciting learning environment for kids. She envisions a program that focuses on outdoor education, team building, and creativity; all of which will help foster positive relationships among the students.
If you are interested in receiving more information about this program and/or how to enroll your child, please contact the Methow Valley Elementary office staff at (509) 996-2186.