About Us : Mushroom Family Learning Center | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

History

Mushroom Family Learning Center was established in 1973 as a non profit corporation. Our membership is comprised of parents or guardians of each child enrolled in the school, and the educational staff. According to our bylaws, at the beginning of each school year, an annual meeting must be held to elect a new Board of Directors and to review school business. Because the Board is composed of parents, all parents have the right, and are encouraged, to vote to select who will represent them in decisions affecting our school.

Philosophy

At Mushroom Family Learning Center we believe what happens during a child's preschool experience is important. By providing a trusting atmosphere with mutual respect between teacher and child, a child is free to grow in social, emotional and academic areas. Our small student teacher ratio, helps our teachers nourish, stimulate, support, and recognize the uniqueness of each child. This enables the child to discover the special gifts that lie within. We find that when we nurture a child's self esteem the child can be the source of much of his/her development. The teacher serves as a guide to be consulted in the child's discoveries, with emphasis on the child's self control rather than teacher control of the child. We strive to help children resolve conflicts in ways that do not damage self-esteem. By using the language of acceptance, the teacher conveys to the child the trustworthiness of his/her feelings. This acceptance gives Mushroom Family children the freedom to try, to fail, and to try again. We have a rule in all classes: YOU CAN'T SAY YOU CAN'T PLAY. In addition, we have a rule that we are all safe at Mushroom school, There are no weapons here (even pretend ones). We also have a rule that "we keep our hands in our own space" which we explain to the children that we do not touch each other at school.

Goals for Our Mushroom Children

We expect you to help us implement these goals for each child

Expand the natural curiosity and expression of children
Encourage children to communicate their feelings and needs
Build self esteem through play activities and socialization skills while
allowing the child to make choices
To be able to separate from a parent, and be comfortable in our school
environment and with our teachers
Provide a supportive environment where parents are invited to be an
integral part of their children’s growth

Staff

Kim Beggs, B.S. WV University. Kim was on the Board at MFLC for 3 years while her children attended preschool. She is a Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul’s. She is very involved in Howe Elementary School’s PTA. She worked on Winterfest Food for 3 years and Co Chaired Market Day this past year. Kim also co-chaired the Fine Arts Festival for the past 2 years and was responsible for coordinating and organizing a production involving 120 elementary students. Kim will be subbing in all classes as well as an assist in the AM Four’s class this year.

Marlene Breslow, Graduated Mt. Lebanon High School, took “Active Parenting classes and child development classes. She provided full time babysitting services for 3 years and was a summer daycare provider for 4 years. Marlene volunteered for 1 year at Sunset Hills UP for their Youth Group. She was a co-leader for Girl Scout Troop #1332 for 3 years and assisted with The Tiger Cub Pack #116 and Brownies. She also volunteered with the Pacer Track Club, a youth athletic program, for 2 years. Marlene is also active in Howe Elementary PTA.
Marlene has volunteered at MFLC while her son attended preschool and worked as an assist in the Slice of Summer Program with Young 3’s, three/fours and four/fives classes. Marlene will be an assist in the Three/Four’s and the W/F 2’s program this year.

Debbie Beachler, M Ed. Special Education from University of Pittsburgh, B.A. in Pshychology from Ohio Wesleyan University,. Debbie has been as assist in the 3’s and the Three/Fours, and Discovery Day classes in the past. Debbie has been serving as our Educational Consultant and in addition to that has led the AM Three’s class. This year Debbie is the lead teacher for the PM Three/Fours class.

Jane Birris, B.A., University of Dayton, Elementary Education; Post Graduate, The Pennsylvania State University. Jane was the lead teacher in our T/K class and 4's class. This year Jane is the lead teacher in the T/K class.

Joyce Fornadel, B.S. in Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University. Joyce has taught Sunday school for the past 11 years and worked with her Church Youth Group for the past two years. She was also a MFLC board member for two years while her children attended the school. Joyce has been an active member of the PTA. Joyce substituted for MFLC and has been an assist in the K-Too AM and PM class. Joyce will be an assist in the AM TK program this year.

Karen Frank, M.Ed., University of Louisville Guidance and Counseling; B.A., University of Pittsburgh . Karen teaches a parenting class at M.F.L.C. Karen has been the lead teacher in the Parent /Toddler two's class, the three's class and the three/four's class. Karen is the Director.

Jamie Geisler, M.Ed., Indiana University of Pennslyvania, BA in Psychology Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jamie was an elementary school counselor for 10 years in the Beaver Falls School District. Jamie assisted in the 2’s class from January until May last year and this year is the lead teacher for the AM 3’s class.

Joan Harrison, B.S. Elementary and Special Education, West Virginia University; Graduate Work in Masters Program in Special Education, West Virginia University and Duquesne University. Joan has substituted in many of our classes and has led both the AM and PM K-Too class.. She has assisted in the T/K class, Tuesday and Wednesday Lunch Program, and this year as in past years will Coordinate our Enrichment program and our lunch program.

Mary Ellen Joyce, Attended Community College of Allegheny Co. in child development. Mary Ellen has been an assist in the P/T program at MFLC and in the 4/5’s, and AM 4’s classes and has substituted in every class as well as assisted with enrichment programs. This year Mary Ellen will lead the Parent Toddler program and assist in the Three’s and TK-PM classes. She is also our Movement Specialist for the older classes.

Melanie Johnston, B.S.B.A., Duquesne University with a consentration on Accounting. Melanie has been a homeroom coordinator at Howe Elementary School for three years, has helped in Howe’s Winterfest for three years and has worked the safewalk line for two years. In addition, Melanie has taught Sunday School for three years. Melanie has been our Financial administrator at MFLC for five years and has assisted in the AM Three’s class. This year in addition to continuing as our Financial Administrator, she will be assisting in the TK-PM and AM 4’s classes.

Cathy Marmion, B.S., Ohio University, Elementary Education. Cathy taught Kindergarten at Carlow College and has been a substitute in many of our Mushroom classes as well as an assist in the 4/5’s class. This year she will Lead the AM4’s class and PM TK class.. Cathy will also be a teacher in the Tuesday Lunch Program, Friday enrichment, and will lead our Happy Cooker’s enrichments.

Marilyn Oberst-Horner, Attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and majored in Geography with an emphasis on Urban Planning. She also worked on a Women’s studies certificate. Marilyn was a Kid Care Manager at the downtown Milwalkee YMCA which served children from Infants through 8 years. Marilyn will assist in the TK-AM class, and lead the K-Too PM class. Marilyn also assists in enrichment classes.

Marsha Pascuzzi, Bradford Business School Graduate, 1973, worked Dravo Corporation for 6 years. Marsha substituted in all classes in 2001-2002. Highly involved in Mt. Lebanon PTA, and Mt. LebanonNature Conservancy and was a CCD teacher from 1973-2001. Marsha has subbed in all our classes and assisted in the Three/Fours class. This year she will be assisting in the Three/Fours class this year.

Laurie Pugliano, BA in English writing from University of Pittsburgh, Elementary Education Certification, and she taught in Franklin Regional School District grades K-3, assisted in St. David’s Pre school with ages 3,4, and 5. Laurie designed and taught Kindergarten enrichment classes for Peters Township, and she teaches ecology classes to preschool age through 3rd grade for Washington County Master Gardner Association in the summer. Laurie will be an assist in the M/TH 2’ s class and Friday adventure and she will be the science specialist.

Theresa Rosenberg, M.Ed. and B.A., Duquesne University. Theresa has been the assistant teacher in the morning 3's class and the afternoon 4's class and the lead teacher in the Young/3's class. This year Theresa will lead the 2’s class T/TH (AM) and the 2’s W/F(AM) and 2’s (PM) and will be a teacher in the lunch program on T and W as well as our Music Resource Teacher in all classes. Theresa also directs the Slice of Summer Program as well as substitutes as Director when needed.

Christy Rowing, BA degree from West Virginia University in Communications and Economics and a Masters degree from the University of New Haven in Public Administration with an emphasis on City Management. Christy has assisted in the summer program with the 2’s class as well as substituted in all classes during the school year. This year Christy will be assisting in the T/TH 2’s class.

Chrissy Sileo, B.S. Penn State University, Elementary Education. Chrissy taught first grade and Preschool for 3 years in Boulder, Colorado. She has substituted for MFLC and has been a homeroom mother and classroom volunteer for 2 years. She is also a volunteer reading partner for the City’s Beginning with Books Program. She has lead the Parent Toddler Program and this year she will be the art specialist and assist in the AM TK class. This year Chrissy is the Lead for K-Too and Friday Adventure.

Copyright (c) 2002, Mushroom Family Learning Center
1240 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228
(412) 531-1225
info@mushroomfamily.org