Phyllis has been involved with EPCP since 1982 when both of her sons, Ryan and Tim attended the preschool. Phyllis served on the board as Co-president and PCPO Representative (Parent-Child Preschools of Oregon). She began teaching at EPCP in 1988.

Phyllis` education includes two years of Liberal Arts courses with an emphasis in Psychology, at Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Phyllis attended an Early Childhood Workshop at L.C.C. and has completed a series of workshops offered through Community Options at the U of O. She regularly attends conferences and workshops offered through OAEYC (Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children), EC Cares (Early Childhood Coordination Agency for Referrals, Evaluations and Services in Lane County) and PCPO. She is a member of NAEYC ( National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Phyllis is originally from Michigan, with a large extended family still residing there. She lived in California for three years where she met and married her husband, Bill. They have resided here in Eugene for 31+ years where they have raised their two sons from birth through College at the U of O. Phyllis always played an active role in her sons schools, (Even when they didn`t want me to!) and she feels very fortunate she had the time and opportunity to be involved in their education over the years. After 19+ years of teaching the Twos class, Phyllis still has a genuine love for her preschoolers as well as the families. She believes the Preschool is a wonderful place to begin a child`s first school experience because parents are involved. The child not only has the teacher he/she is learning from but also has the parents who always bring so much into the classroom. As a teacher, Phyllis feels she is always learning something new from the parents. She feels blessed to have a job she still truly loves.

Shawna was born in Spokane, WA and raised in Spokane and Portland, OR. She spent 10 years living in the San Francisco Bay area where she earned her certificate in early childood education. Shawna has 10 years of experience in parent participation preschools, and she is a member of the NAEYC.

Shawna started her teaching career as a parent at United Methodist Co-op Nursery School in Burlingame, CA with her first son in 1997. Soon, her second son was born, and she continued co-oping.  Shawna also served on the parent board of directors as the council represenitive to the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools. Furthermore, she served on the board of the San Mateo Mother's club as their president. She went back to college in order to begin subbing in the three's class, and then was a teacher's aide for a year. Shortly thereafter, she became the three's teacher for several years. In additon to teaching the three's class three times a week, she also tought the toddler class twice a week. Shawna is very excited to be a teacher here at EPCP, and she's truly happy to be back in Oregon! She feels it's quite endearing and valuable for parents to be able to observe and participate in their children's education. (lots of fun, too!) It's a wonderful segway into the years ahead of being a part of their children's education.

Besides teaching, Shawna enjoys spending time with her two amazing sons Simon (11) and Edward (8). Lastly, she adores playing her autoharp, knitting, sewing, baking, floral design, and all things artistic!