Kids' Co-op Preschool

Our Teachers

BONNIE TOTH

Director & 2’s Teacher

My name is Bonnie Toth.  I am honored to serve as our school’s 2’s teacher and director.  I am a mommy to three amazing kiddos, wife to a very long-suffering husband, and teacher to adults and children alike. I am passionate about early childhood education.  I am also committed to being a life-long learner and frequently attend conferences and classes related to early childhood.  I hold a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education, with an emphasis on Biological Sciences and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction.

I believe that all people learn best when given a safe space, time, and support to grow. I am a Las Vegas native and enjoy all that our city and surrounding areas have to offer.  My family and I love camping, hiking, and all things outdoors!

I am excited to play, learn, and grow with you and your families!

TRAVIS SCHWANTES

3’s Teacher

Hello! I am Travis Schwantes and it is my privilege to be the 3’s Teacher at Kids’ Co-op.  My family, my incredible daughter and wonderful wife, mean the world to me.  I am flexible, patient, and creative and I excel at making others laugh, building kids’ confidence and changing my approach to meet the different needs of different kids. I have a Bachelor of the Arts degree, I am fluent in Spanish and I am a lifelong learner.  My most passionate areas of interest are linguistics, language acquisition, and early childhood. My lifelong desire to work with children stems from my life experiences including being an older brother, a volunteer coach of youth sports, a substitute teacher, a father and an involved parent at the Co-op. I enjoy everything about the process of watching, teaching, and helping children. Their wonder-filled eyes and minds are meant to be shaped and aided and for me there is nothing more rewarding than doing just that.

About me:  I love spending time with my family!  We love to swim, travel, play and laugh together.  Personally, I love computer games, reading and watching all manner of fantasy, snowboarding and animals (we have five fur babies).  From embracing diversity to ethical veganism to gentle parenting, I strive to live my life with love, compassion and empathy.

The Co-op is a very special place for me and my family and I am super stoked to share this amazing experience with you and yours!

REGINA TIPPETTS

4’s Teacher

Welcome! My name is Regina Tippetts. My journey at the Co-op began in 2017 when my son started in the 2’s class. From the very beginning I realized what a special school we were part of. This created a desire for me to become a bigger part of the co-op and now I am very pleased to be the 4’s teacher! I have a Bachelor of Arts degree. I am nurturing, compassionate and eager to learn and grow. I am beyond excited to share the co-op experience with your family!

​

A little about me! My husband and our two kids love to spend time outdoors, camping and hiking. We also like playing games, watching movies and eating ice cream! My personal loves are working out, puzzles, and lots of cooking!

AVIENNE FIRE

4’s Teacher

Hello! My name is Avienne Fire and I am honored to be the 4’s teacher. My family

joined the Co-op in 2021 and immediately fell in love with the philosophies and community. I have been a parent, board member, and now a teacher at the Co-op. I taught dance for 12 years and worked as a teacher’s assistant for 5 years. I feel very privileged to be able to combine my passion for teaching and gentle parenting.

About me: I absolutely love my family and being a mother. I have two daughters and a wonderful husband. I enjoy museums, the performing arts, and dance parties with my kids. I taught many dance styles for many years, but my favorite was ballet.

VICKY THOMPSON

Office Manager

Hi, my name is Vicky Thompson and I am the office manager at Kids’ Co-op.  I am an NAU graduate with a degree in business.  My husband Curt and I have been married for over 30 years and our son Matt was a Co-op kid.

​

I have been a part of Kids’ Co-op since 2000.  I started my Co-op journey as a parent serving as classroom coordinator and I was fundraising chair on the board of directors.  I taught the 2’s for several years and subbed numerous times in the 3’s and 4’s classrooms.

​

It is a privilege to be able to work with an amazing group of teachers and I enjoy working with the parents in their many roles at the Co-op.  I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they experience the mud bog for the first time or getting messy with goop.  I have been known to spontaneously join a circle or sit with the kids at snack.  And I love to give lots of hugs! The Co-op is an amazing place and I hope that you can begin your child’s education journey with us and experience the Co-op magic.

Philosophy

Mission Statement

The mission of Kids’ Co-op is to create a quality early childhood learning environment for Las Vegas families. We focus on the use of child-centered, play-based, developmentally appropriate practices to create a safe and nurturing place for children to learn. As a parent cooperative, our emphasis on parent education and family involvement make Kids’ Co-op a place where parents and children learn and find a supportive community.

We believe that children need to Learn to Play and Play to Learn. 

We believe in a child-centered curriculum.

We believe that children need developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

We believe that early childhood education should meet the needs of the Whole Child.

We believe that teachers and parents work together to assess children’s strengths and needs.

We believe in family connection and education. 

We believe in cooperation.

About our program

Central to our philosophy of early childhood education, and overwhelmingly supported by current research, is the belief that parental education and involvement play crucial roles in assuring a child’s success, both in school and in life.

​

Parents bring unique understanding of their children to the classroom, and with this knowledge, teachers and parents can work together to create learning experiences that meet the needs of each child.

​

Parents at Kids’ Co-op assist teachers in the classroom two or three times a month. They also attend monthly group meetings during which teachers discuss the philosophy and reasoning behind specific educational practices, and address age and family related parenting concerns. Additionally, parents attend a 6 week parenting class offered by Kids’ Co-op.