3 Generations, One Evolving Park West Story

In this Q&A, Jane Nolan, her daughter Jenna Heffernan, and grandson Finn reflect on their Park West experiences as student, parent, teacher, director, and grandparent. Together, their voices highlight how Park West’s community and values continue to connect families across generations.

jane nolan

Q: You’ve experienced Park West as a parent, board member, teacher, director, and now grandparent. What’s it like to see the school through so many lenses?

A: It’s been wonderful to be part of school for so long. My experiences as a parent, board member, and teacher really helped me when I became director. I had seen firsthand the interactions and interplay of parents, board, and staff and how those various roles supported each other. Throughout the decades–through some staff changes, the move to our own home, the pandemic–that support continued. All parties working together to ensure that Park West continues to flourish with the healthy growth and development of children, our goal and purpose.  

I’ve also been privileged to see the next generation come, former students returning to Park West as parents. Also second generation teachers, and second generation Park West board members. There are former Park West parents returning to drop off or pick up their grandchildren. To me this is absolutely thrilling, to see this hum of life. This is our Park West Family.

Q: Do you remember your first day at Park West in each role? Can you share one or two standout memories? 

A: I remember being nervous when my son, Josh, began Park West in a new 2-day class in January of 1982. For our visit I brought Josh and my 6-month-old baby, Jenna, on the bus. I didn’t know what to expect but everyone was so warm. I had felt a bit isolated as a parent and was excited to see other parents. I had no idea what school would be like for Josh or me, and I had no idea at that moment how important Park West would become in my life.

When I became the director, I had been a teacher for 11 years at Park West. My new role was a bit confusing for some of the children I had taught who were still at school. Sometimes I would visit the classrooms to see them or they might visit me in the office. As director I also greeted all of the kids at the door every morning and afternoon. As one family was coming back to school after winter break the mom wanted to remind her son his teachers’ names: She would say his teacher’s name and he would respond, my teacher. When she said, and Jane… he replied, the door opener. That wasn’t all I did, but it was a great part of my day.

Q: What change or evolution have you been most excited to see at the school in recent years? 

A: Finding, buying, and renovating our own beautiful building was so exciting. It was thrilling to be able to help create a new home for Park West. Park West alumni families from our first school year, 1971, on through to current families, helped us in every capacity. Besides donations, large and modest, they attended community meetings, wrote letters to our alderman and public officials, put support signs in their windows, and bought pavers. Our transition team met with bankers, architects, and real estate agents. Both our attorneys, who worked pro bono, and our architects were Park West alumni families who heeded our call. Many of them with children in college or beyond. They had the perspective of time, remembering Park West, and those tender years of finding community, a home really, at Park West. Many of our alumni parents found their best friends at Park West. Together, we were all building a home for the future. 

Q: What is one of your favorite aspects or features of Park West that has been a constant since you first became involved with the school? Why is that consistency important? 

A: I think of a few things. First, our pedagogy of social constructivism and respect for children and their ideas is at the foundation of how we think children learn. 

I think the gold for parents at Park West is assisting in the classroom. I hope parents will always assist. Parents assisting is great for the children, of course. It puts a parent’s stamp of approval on school and teachers. If a parent comes to help, school must be important and a safe place for kids to be. And children want to share what life at school is like. 

But parents assisting can be great for parents, too. You get to see your child in a new setting, often a child’s first time away from home without an adult. Parents also get to see teachers at work. What they say. The specific language they use. How they interact with kids. How they help resolve conflict. I know I learned so much as a helping parent. It made me a better parent at home. 

Q: If you could give one hope or wish for the next generation of Park West families, what would it be? 

A: My wish would be for Park West to continue into the future, still helping and supporting parents at a tender time for their families. Still offering a home away from home for children where they can thrive in the company of other children with teachers’ guidance and friendship.

For me the hallmark of Park West is that we are a family. Park West friendships last well beyond the nursery school years with our families creating friendships that can last a lifetime. I know this to be true. I know it will continue.  

Jenna Heffernan

Q: What is your favorite or most distinguished memory from your time as a student at Park West?

A: Picking snack and bringing my mom as the helper. I really loved getting to choose the snack. I think I loved the control aspect, and it felt special. 

Q: What most inspired you to return to Park West as a teacher? What were you most excited about?

A: Park West has always been a strong proponent of taking children's ideas seriously. After many years working with small children, I always go back to that concept. It has influenced my own thinking and interacting with children in an incredibly positive way. 

Q: How does being a Park West parent influence your role as a teacher at the school, and vice versa? 

A: Being a parent has provided an entirely new lens for me, viewing both children and parents in a more comprehensive and empathetic way. I’m much quicker to give grace to a parent or child having a difficult morning after having firsthand experience myself. Knowing all the factors that can lead to that tough dropoff (sleepless night, negotiation over eating breakfast, time-consuming clothing choice, etc.) allows me as a teacher to be helpful, not judgemental, in those moments. 

Being a teacher at school has given me a tremendous amount of ease dropping off my own child. I am aware of the careful thought and consideration that teachers give to all aspects of the classroom. Teachers are incredibly gifted at what they do and give each and every child individual care. 

Q: How does it feel to see your own child experience the same school you once attended?

A: It’s incredibly gratifying and creates another bond between us. It’s fun to reminisce about what I brought for snack, or what I enjoyed doing in the gym. It’s a great conversation starter for inquiring about what my child enjoys about school: What things we have in common (Finn and mom not the biggest fans of slime) and both enjoy (gym time!), versus what things we have different opinions about (Finn loves building roads on the rug, mom prefers time at the easel).

Q: What does being part of this school community mean to you now, compared to when you were a child?

A: I’ve always felt a strong connection to Park West. Although many of my Park West friends continued on to different elementary schools, we all still stay connected, which solidified positive feelings about Park West. As a teen I returned to work summers as a camp counselor, which I think reinforced my positive connection with Park West. Now, being a parent myself, I have such love for Park West and the community. Connecting with other parents who have a similar hope for their children, particularly during these early learning years, is very comforting. 

Q: What do you hope your child—and future generations—carry forward from Park West?

A: Park West has always helped to create lifelong learners who are curious and continue asking questions. The world can always use more of those types of thinkers. I hope Park West can continue creating thoughtful thinkers. 

Finn

Q: What is your favorite part of the school day, and why?

A: The gym. My favorite part is when I play with my friend Owen. 

Q: What are some of your favorite activities to do in the classroom? 

A: Play puzzles, dinosaur puzzles. Sometimes read books on the rug.