Teacher 
Renee Hult joined Glacier Way in 2008. She comes to us with almost 10 years of experience in early childhood education and a passion for preschool education. She most recently served as the head teacher for a three's preschool program where she was responsible for creating lesson plans, facilitating activities with the children and communicating with parents. A mother of three, Renee is also a former co-op parent and co-op teacher, where she served as the assistant teacher in the four's class.

Renee’s approach is play-based and child-centered. She incorporates literacy learning in both classes and also has a very strong science background as co-creator of All About Science, a traveling preschool science program.

Renee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Literature (minor in Children’s Literature) from Eastern Michigan University and is currently completing her associate’s degree in child development.

Expectations of a co-op family
Cooperative preschools are able to keep the cost of tuition lower because of the high level of parent involvement. Members of Glacier Way West Side Cooperative Preschool are expected to:

Assist the teacher in class: Each family is required to assist an average of six times a semester in the Tuesday/Thursday program and nine times a semester in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday program. There may be a need for more assist days if enrollment is down. To maintain the integrity of our program, no siblings are allowed in the classroom while parents are assisting.  A sibling nursery is available for parents to use on their assist days. Participating parents take turns assisting in the sibling nursery in addition to their regular assist days.

Choose an additional job: The job requires time spent outside of school hours. Examples of jobs are board member, teacher assistant, librarian or newsletter editor. (See sidebar for complete list.)

Bring a snack for 20-22 people: Each family brings snack twice a semester in the T/Th program and three times in the M/W/F program.

Participate in fund-raising: Each family is required to fund-raise $85 per semester. Additionally, members are required to contribute an item worth at least $25 for the fall auction. Any remaining balance must be paid at the end of the semester. Successful fund-raising allows us to keep our tuition low.

Participate in housekeeping: One Saturday each month, a crew of parents “deep cleans” the school.  Each family is assigned one date per semester.

Attend general membership meetings: At the beginning of each semester there is a mandatory general membership meeting for all enrolled families of Glacier Way West Side Cooperative Preschool. At least one parent must be present. Childcare is not provided at this meeting, and we ask that children not be present. (Non-mobile babies are okay.) At this time, the balance of the semester’s tuition is due, members receive the assist schedule, fund-raising projects for the upcoming year are explained, emergency procedures are reviewed and any questions are addressed.

Social Events: We have at least three social events throughout the year that give the families a chance to get to know each other better: A fall potluck, a winter holiday party and an end-of-the-year picnic. We also have a monthly “mom's night.”