Jessica Miller, Director/Teacher
Jessica has over 30 years of parent/child education and 10 years of co-op experience. She has 2 children, ages 16 and 23. Both of them attended Broadmoor Parent Nursery School preschool co-op for 3 years each and Charquin elementary school co-op. She has a strong background in child development and adolescent/adult education as well as public speaking. She has been working with parents and children for over 30 years as a preschool teacher/director, co-op board member, preschool owner/director, lactation counselor, and maternal educator. She offers gentle, encouraging, culturally sensitive support when working with parents and children. Some of the topics she enjoys teaching/supporting are play-based preschool curriculum, brain development, emotional and physical developmental stages, alternative parenting/family configurations, breastfeeding, tolerance for differences in parenting styles, the importance of engaging parents in their child’s education, and adaptive child sleep patterns. She believes that children learn through play when we (staff and parents) provide engaging, rich, new experiences for them. As a parent/child educator, she has enriched the lives of hundreds of families over the years. Through parent/teacher collaboration, ongoing education, and developing friendships, her goal is to inspire a love of learning for parents and children that will continue to foster curiosity and connection long after our time together.
Kavitha Vishwanathan, Teacher
My journey to become a preschool teacher started in 2005, when I enrolled in Mission College, Santa Clara to earn my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. As part of the course, I worked with children who were 2 to 4 years of age at the Childcare Center on campus, which was a great learning experience. I also have a Masters Degree in Literature and Arts from India.
FPNS is very close to my heart. Both my children are former students here. The philosophy of learning resonates with me. I feel blessed to join a team that is so passionate and committed to providing an environment that supports learning through play.
On the personal side, I am a fun loving person and enjoy hanging out with friends and family over the weekends. I enjoy listening to all kinds of music and any free time I get, I immerse myself in DIY projects. Oh, did I mention that I love my ever supporting husband and two adorable kids (10 years old and 5 years old).
FPNS is very close to my heart. Both my children are former students here. The philosophy of learning resonates with me. I feel blessed to join a team that is so passionate and committed to providing an environment that supports learning through play.
On the personal side, I am a fun loving person and enjoy hanging out with friends and family over the weekends. I enjoy listening to all kinds of music and any free time I get, I immerse myself in DIY projects. Oh, did I mention that I love my ever supporting husband and two adorable kids (10 years old and 5 years old).
Stacy Gohman, Teacher
I have been a lifelong educator, and I am excited to join the FPNS family in a professional capacity. I have worked in classrooms and museums for 15 years before staying home with my children, both of whom attended FPNS. I have degrees in chemistry, geology, and education, and have taught high school and college students, and worked as a contractor with NASA, and as a volunteer, educator, and exhibit developer at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, sewing, crafting, photography, and gardening. My children are 4 and 6, and as a family, we enjoy hiking, biking, camping, music, anything related to trains, and playing games.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, sewing, crafting, photography, and gardening. My children are 4 and 6, and as a family, we enjoy hiking, biking, camping, music, anything related to trains, and playing games.
Mercedes Williams - Founder of FPNS
June 11, 1932 - October 6, 2005
Born in Puerto Rico, Mercedes was the youngest of 10 children. In 1943, her family moved and settled in the Bay Area. She was a successful businesswoman. Soon after becoming a mother herself, she added childcare in the number of causes she supported. She founded the Parents’ Co-operative Nursery School, which was first located in San Lorenzo in 1961.
Born in Puerto Rico, Mercedes was the youngest of 10 children. In 1943, her family moved and settled in the Bay Area. She was a successful businesswoman. Soon after becoming a mother herself, she added childcare in the number of causes she supported. She founded the Parents’ Co-operative Nursery School, which was first located in San Lorenzo in 1961.
