Some would wonder about somebody who spent 20 years in pre-school, but for Ingrid Olsen-Young, it has been wonderful.

She’s the person who since 1988 has been the “teacher” in the South Seattle Community College Pre-School Parent Teacher Co-op, but now, she’s leaving.

She and her husband are both “leaving at the same time,” she said, “He’s in the import business now but we are heading east of the mountains to start a new chapter in our lives.”

The program, is “non academic, play based, though we teach problem solving,” and is a true co-op for children from birth to pre-kindergarten involving parents in what is both structured and unstructured play.

“The children get a lot of adult attention here,” she said.

Olsen Young is a West Seattle native but moved to Kent some years ago.

Her long tenure means she often sees people now attending college that were in pre-school when she first began. Since she announced she is leaving, she has had a large number of former students and parents contact her to spend some time, to thank her personally and say good-bye.

She may pursue a similar job in Walla Walla because “I do it because I love it. I get thousands of cards that say I’m a better parent because of you.”

She says she has learned three major things from her experience with pre-school children during the last two decades:

If you love them they will love you back.

They live in the moment.

A hug really does make a boo boo feel better.

There is a retirement party and classes reunion coming up for Ingrid.

Ingrid Olsen-Young's Classes' Reunion
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Jerry Brockey Center
South Seattle Community College
Open House
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Adults and children 12 and older are invited to come and celebrate
Potluck: Please bring and appetizer for 8 - 10 people

For further information please contact:
Liz Strongman: lz_strongman@yahoo.com