Our Adventurers classrooms are designed for children 3 years old by September 1 and who will turn 4 years by August 31 of the following year.

The student to teacher ratio does not exceed 10 children to 2 teachers. Throughout the year special field trips are planned to enrich learning.

While continuing to define the skills they learned in the earlier programs, these almost-four-year-olds are becoming more self-reliant. They can dress themselves and have achieved potty training with few or no accidents. They begin to make decisions and follow directions. They enjoy playing with others and are able to solve simple conflicts on their own. Four-year-olds are observant of the world around them with a fine attention to detail. They also strive to get things right and like to learn.

From an educational perspective, teachers begin to focus on fine motor mastery by helping students hold writing tools properly. Teachers provide activities to learn the alphabet and count to higher numbers with success. Dress-up clothes and life-like toys are provided, as children’s dramatic play becomes astonishingly “real”. In this class, we focus on the developing process of learning many skills, and not the finished product. These building blocks are the indicators of success in their Pre-K year. Teachers invest time in helping each child identify their emotions and express them appropriately. We also see separation anxiety cease as children become secure in familiar environments.

Ms. Julie

Lead Teacher,
Fours

Team Member Since August 2018

Ms. Julie lived in her birthplace town of Columbus, Ohio for 6 weeks before being on the move with her navy dentist dad and family, but became a true Texan in 1984 when she began her college career at Texas Lutheran College, now University, earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1988. She married her husband after college and has 3 grown sons. Ms. Julie is often seen walking up and down the halls having conversations with our CDO children and singing songs with them! We are blessed to have her presence at our school! In her spare time, Ms. Julie likes to work out and sew.

Ms. Deborah

Lead Teacher,
Fours (T&TH)

Team Member Since January 2024

Ms. Deb joined our CDO teaching team in the spring of 2024 and has already proven to be a valuable member of our staff, moving into a lead position for our 2 – 4 year old combined classroom in the Fall of 2024. Ms. Deb was born in Tacoma, Washington and grew up in Washington, Alaska, and California before finding her way to New Mexico where she worked at a community college. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in professional counseling. She made her way to Austin via New Jersey and New York and became involved in another Methodist preschool as a substitute teacher and taught Jazzercise before joining our team. Ms. Deb is intuitive and professional which serves both our CDO teaching team and children incredibly well and makes her a valued member of our team. She meets the children where they are and connects with them individually, seeing their gifts and talents and helping them soar to be the best they can be! When Ms. Deb has time, she likes to travel, hike, yoga, knit, crochet, and volunteer to serve those in need. We are blessed that she has chosen to join our lead teaching team this fall!

Ms. Carolyn

Asst. Teacher (T&TH), Fours

Team Member Since August 2021

We are so excited to welcome Ms. Carolyn back to St. Mark CDO! Ms. Carolyn is originally from the great state of New Mexico. Ms. Carolyn earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in computer science from New Mexico State University and a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Texas in Austin. Ms. Carolyn retired from IBM after almost 30 years and is excited to return to St. Mark CDO after a couple of years off! In her spare time, Ms. Carolyn tutors students whose first language is not English in all subjects as well as helping them fill out college applications. Over the years, Ms. Carolyn and her husband have hosted three international high school exchange students in their home in addition to raising their own son. Ms. Carolyn enjoys traveling with her family, working out, and reading. Ms Carolyn is married and has an adult son.

Ms. Shelby

Asst. Teacher (M&W), Fours

Team Member Since August 2022

Ms. Shelby is the newest member of the St. Mark CDO teaching team, joining Ms. Julie as assistant in the 3-4 year old Adventurers classroom. Ms. Shelby also worked at the CDO in the summer of 2022 and has been a CDO parent since her oldest son started here! Ms. Shelby graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. She has taught both Pre-K and kindergarten in Florida and for the Pflugerville Independent School District before becoming a mom. After a brief few years at home being a stay at home mom, we are thrilled that Ms. Shelby has decided to join our CDO teaching team this school year! Ms. Shelby brings her knowledge of primary education and also a quiet spirit that children naturally gravitate towards, probably from her time serving as a camp counselor during her college years! Ms. Shelby is married and has two young sons.

Ms. Isha

Asst. Teacher (T&TH), Fours

Team Member Since August 2023

Ms. Isha earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in her home country of India before coming with her husband to the United States in California. She and her husband were introduced and later married after their mothers, who worked together, decided that the two should fall in love and get married, which they did! Ms. Isha has been married for 10 years and has three children. Before joining our CDO staff, Ms. Isha volunteered at the Lake Pointe Elementary School where her daughter attended and decided that part time childcare was where she felt called to serve during these years while her children are younger.

Contact our Director to discuss classroom availability or schedule a tour of the CDO.

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