Our Teachers
Sunnymont teachers have extensive education and training in teaching young children and in providing parent education to their parents. But most importantly, our teachers have passion about children's learning and about childhood.
Justine Saffir is our co-director and teaches the 3 Day Class. Justine has been teaching at Sunnymont for over 10 years, and brings to the classroom her love of expanded curriculum. She's the one who dumps brightly colored fall leaves inside the school each fall. She's also the one who brought in not only smelly fish, but also life-sized pictures of plankton, a herring, octopus, a tuna, a great white shark, and yes even an orca whale for the children to decorate during an exploration of the food chain from the Slippery fish song. Justine has a passion for understanding children's individual temperament and needs, and for spreading positive discipline skills to the entire world. Justine has a degree in psychology, a teaching credential, and is the mom of 3 children who went/are going through co-op schools.
Debbie Campi is our co-director and teaches the 2 and 4 Day Classes. Debbie has been at Sunnymont for more than 5 years. Debbie is the drama whiz, who brings in compelling props, and whose impromptu group dramatizations of The "Three Little Pigs"-- pig and wolf hats included of course--are legendary. Debbie also has a knack for using familiar curriculum in new ways, bringing new dimensions to the children's learning, and leaving her colleagues saying, Whoa, I never thought of that! A preschool student recently wrote "I loves Debbie because she's always happy to see me!" Debbie has a masters degree in early childhood education, a teaching credential, and is the mom of two children who attend co-op schools.
Liz Gerhart teaches the 1 Day Toddler Class, and is the newest member of the Sunnymont teaching team. Liz has a real knack for engaging kids. Her remarkable talent for getting down to the kids' level ensures that she can talk easily with them and that she can provide clear explanations to her young students. Liz's enthusiasm and zeal for learning and teaching shine through, and the relaxed attitude that she fosters in her classroom makes it a warm and comfortable environment for all. Liz has a degree in Art History, teaching credentials in Elementary and Special Education, and eleven years of experience teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. She is the mom of a Sunnymont alum.
