Our teachers are the heart of our preschool. They each have been working with children for more than 25 years and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our preschool programs. The love and care they show to their students is a big reason why families return to our preschool year after year with their children.
Melanie Haroldsen
Early Learning
CA Certified Multi-Subject Credential
12th Year at The TreeHouse
Teaching the preschool age group is very rewarding. The children have not previously attended a formal structured school setting so they often have some anxiety the first few class meetings. However, it does not take them long to figure out that Mom/Dad do come back for them and that school is not as scary as they thought. A few tears in the beginning quickly turn into eager anticipation.
Many years ago I received both my Bachelors of Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject teaching credential through Fresno State University. During this time period, I have been a substitute teacher in Clovis Unified, taught in-home preschool, and here at The TreeHouse. I have also been a swim instructor at the Jan Thomas Swim School since I was 19 yrs. old, teaching all ages from 6 month to adults to learn to swim and be happy and confident in the water. Besides teaching, I have acquired life skills through being a wife and mother. I have 5 adult children, 4 boys and 1 girl. Motherhood requires great patience as does teaching preschool.
My hobbies include cooking, reading, traveling to the beach with family, church service, and reading my “Good Housekeeping” magazine next to my pool with a diet coke in hand. Looking forward to another great year at The TreeHouse, and looking forward to meeting another group of wonderful supportive parents. I believe the The TreeHouse is a little jewel in the heart of Clovis.
Lori Pope
Kindergarten Preparation
9th Year at The TreeHouse
I grew up here in Clovis California. I am a mom to 5 kids, three girls and two boys. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal studies from Fresno State with an emphasis in music and the arts.
I have spent the last 26 years teaching, from my private piano students to groups of kindergartners, preschoolers, and school age kids. I have had continued opportunities to teach all ages in different settings. However, preschoolers have always had a special place in my heart. Before teaching at Treehouse, I ran my in-home preschool for many years. I enjoy teaching these little ones, their excitement for life and curiosity for the world around them is contagious. My goal as a Pre-K teacher is to prepare them for Kindergarten, and to also create a love for learning.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” –Maria Montessori (and)
“The most engaging preschool experiences rarely come home in a back pack”–Deborah J. Stewart M.Ed.
thetreehouseclovis.org 