Melissa Boshans
Director of school (she/they)
After beginning my career in early childhood education 19 years ago, I am enthusiastically returning to the place where it all began. In 2003, I took a job as an assistant teacher in the 1st floor classroom at Park West's original home in St. Paul's Church. My initial experience at Park West was nothing short of amazing. Like so many others, Park West changed the way I thought about education and parenting. In the years that followed I have had the honor of working with and learning from many experts in the field. In collaboration I have published work regarding the relationship between attachment, learning, and play in the early childhood classroom. I presented multiple times at the NAEYC National Conference and taught a course in Italy about a DIR (Developmental, Individualized, Relationship-Based therapy) and Sensory Integration approach to supporting children in the preschool setting. As a life-longer I will continue to learn and grow and bring all of these experiences back to the Park West community.
I believe in the parent cooperative model for early childhood education and have many years of experience as a classroom teacher in such settings. As a teacher I was committed to fostering community in the classroom while acknowledging and meeting the individual needs of the children in my class. Being the director at Park West means that I get to support the entire school community while valuing the unique perspectives and experiences that every family brings. Park West Cooperative is such a special place for children but also for parents and I am grateful to be a part of that everyday.
Joining the staff at Park West means that I get to work with the very best early childhood educators. Park West teachers are knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about the work they do. I look forward to collaborating and sharing my experiences with them.
I am delighted and honored to again spend my days as a member of the Park West Community and am pleased to begin my next chapter not only as the director of school, but also as a Park West parent.
Credentials 1: Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies and Political Science from DePaul University Chicago, IL
Credentials 2: Master of Education in Instructional Leadership in Early Childhood from University of Illinois at Chicago
Credentials 3: State of Illinois endorsement for Early Childhood Special Education
Credentials 4: Developmental Therapy Credential
Favorite book: I’ll have to name a few…
Pig Pig Grows Up by David M. McPhail,
Oh My Baby Bear! by Audrey Wood,
Mr. Wuffles! by David Weisner,
Another by Christian Robinson