Rock Spring Cooperative Preschool (RSCP) has earned an outstanding reputation largely due to the quality and dedication of our staff. Led by a highly qualified director, our competent, creative, and compassionate staff ensure that our children’s first school experiences are positive and rewarding. Here is a sample of our staff’s background:
DIRECTOR - Ellen Fitzpatrick (Mrs. Fitz)
Ellen Fitzpatrick joins us after many years as a highly regarded classroom educator and school administrator. A native of Ohio, Ellen received her undergraduate degree in English and American Studies from the University of Mary Washington, followed by a Masters of Arts in Elementary Education K-8 from the College of William and Mary. Ellen’s early teaching career included schools in Richmond and Fairfax County, and she spent a decade at The Langley School in McLean. There she was a teacher and girl’s lacrosse coach. After leaving the classroom, Ellen was the Assistant Director of Admissions and Director of Summer Programs (Preschool to Grade Eight) for The Langley School.
POLAR / PANDA BEAR CLASS - Debbie Yasaki (Ms. Debbie)
We are excited to have Debbie Yasaki officially join our staff as our Polar/Panda Bear teacher. Debbie grew up in the state of Washington and received her BA in Psychology and Spanish from Whittier College in California. She earned a Masters in Social Work from Boston College. As her husband, Vince, is in the military they have lived many places, most recently moving to Arlington last year from San Diego.
Debbie substituted extensively this past year in several of the classes at Rock Spring including an entire session of Pony/Penguin Playdate. Her youngest son, Collin, graduated from the Dinosaur class and will attend Tuckahoe in the fall with his older sister, Nicole. Debbie’s oldest son, Caleb, will attend Swanson Middle School as a 6th grader.
Debbie will bring creativity and enthusiasm to the Bear classes!
BEAVER & BUNNY CLASSES - Martha Galeano (Ms. Martha)
We are so lucky to have our veteran, Martha Galeano, leading the Bunnies and Beavers for her tenth year at Rock Spring. Martha received her B.S. in Spanish from SUNY at Brockport. For over 3 years she worked for Head Start in the State of New York. When she moved to the Washington area, she first worked as head teacher of the two-year-olds at the First Baptist Church in Washington. Martha also worked for Arlington County Social Services as a resource mother, educating teenage mothers on how to take care of themselves during pregnancy and motherhood. In September, Martha will start her 11th year with Grace Community Church, working for the third year in the infant room. In addition, she will continue to educate parents in Escuela Bolivia’s P.E.S.A. program and to translate for the Arlington County intake center.
PENGUIN CLASS - Karen Chipman (Miss Karen)
We are fortunate to welcome Karen Chipman to our community working in the Penguin class. Karen has a BS degree in Early Childhood Education from Colorado State University and a MA in Counseling from San Jose State University. She has taught Pre-K, second grade, and 3 year olds in NC, FL and VA for over 10 years. Karen is happy to be returning to Northern VA after two years in Charlottesville.
Karen and her husband have three children, Meredith, a junior at the University of Florida (Go Gators!), Claire a freshman at Furman University, and Kyle who will be a freshman at Washington-Lee HS.
Karen’s imagination and joy for this age group will excite the children each day!
PONY CLASS – Diane Ross (Ms. Diane)
We are so happy Diane is returning to Rock Spring as the Pony Class Teacher! Having been a part of the Rock Spring community for many years as a former parent and co-oper, frequent substitute teacher, and Dinosaur Teacher, Diane is a dynamic, nurturing educator. Check back soon to learn more about this wonderful member of the RSCP team.
DINOSAUR CLASS TEACHER - Eileen Spack (Ms. Eileen)
This will be Eileen’s seventh year at Rock Spring. Prior to Rock Spring, Eileen was a Teacher at Westover Baptist Preschool. Her experiences there were preceded by over 10 years working with children of various ages as a family child-care provider in the Arlington community. She has enjoyed her opportunities to work with young children and takes great satisfaction in watching them develop through their important formative years.
DINOSAUR CLASS AIDE – Rkia Raiq (Ms. Rkia)
Ms. Rkia is returning for her eighth year as part of the Dinosaur team, and we are so lucky that she will again serve as full-time aide to the class. Rkia has been involved with the Rock Spring community for the past 17 years, previously as a nanny for two former families where she actively participated in the classroom as both a co-oper and substitute teacher.