Welcome, Ms. Kolstad! St. Timothy Episcopal Preschool Names New Director

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in  Mountain View announces that Janet Kolstad, M.A. is its new preschool director.

Janet, who also teaches early childhood college courses and parenting classes, comes from Ventana School and Los Altos Parents Preschool, and started her career at ROLM Systems and Lucent technologies and as a manager at Lucent and PlaceWare.

When her children were young, she began teaching children’s music classes, as she studied music, as well as engineering, at the University of Pittsburgh. She has held board positions with Music for Minors, a local non-profit that provides music education to elementary schools.

She discovered her love for working with young children and began a second career in early childhood education after coursework at DeAnza and Foothill colleges and San Jose State University. 

She has worked as a co-director and teacher at Tiny Tots Preschool, Los Altos.

At Los Altos Parent Preschool, she served as a lead teacher and co-director and worked as part of a team to secure a new campus, and relocate the school in 2012. Most recently, she has been a teacher at Ventana School, an Episcopal school, and this year, adjunct faculty at Pacific Oaks College where she received her master’s degree in Human Development. 

“I love working with very young children because they are unique and bright human beings who are curious about the world,” said Kolstad.  "They are so ready to learn, and my job as their teacher is to fuel their curiosity by providing a safe and interesting environment, asking questions, and appreciating who they are as individuals.” 

She is also active in scouting as a volunteer with her son’s Boy Scout Troop, leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop, and service unit level volunteer with Girl Scouts. 

Ste. Tim’s Preschool incorporates faith-directed elements into curriculum activities based on the key messages in each of the church’s liturgical seasons.  It has served the community since 1961.

Openings in the 3- and 4-year old morning sessions are still available for the fall. See www.sttimothyspreschool.org or call 650-967-4724.