The Stowe Cooperative Nursery School in Stowe's lower village is pleased to announce the hiring of new teachers for the upcoming pre-school year.

Lauren Brassard, a 2005, magna cum laude graduate of Champlain College in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, was hired as the head teacher in the school's 4-5 year old classroom. Most recently residing in Portland, ME, Brassard was employed as a literacy and math consultant for kindergarten in Durham Elementary and most recently was summer program director in early childhood arts for the Waynflete School in Portland.

Two new assistant teachers have also joined the teaching team at the Coop for the coming year. Christine Van Etten, a cum laude graduate of Northeastern University, will be the assistant teacher in the 3-4 year old classroom, and Colleen Clark, a 2010 University of Vermont graduate, will be the assistant in the 4-5 year old classroom. Van Etten was previously employed by Stowe Mountain Resort in the children's ski school.

Amanda Brochu, a 2009 graduate of University of Vermont, returns as head teacher for the 3 and 4 year old classroom.

"We're thrilled to have this outstanding team of dedicated teachers in place for the 2010-2011 school year," explains Marcy Andrus, president of the board at the Coop. "The Coop has always supported child enrichment and growth through a diverse, play-based education. The new and returning staff will lend their own skills and experiences, in conjunction with parent involvement, to give the young students a well rounded educational and social background."

The Coop, founded in 1973, is a pre-school with a 3-4 year-old classroom and a 4-5 year-old classroom and is run cooperatively by parents. For more information about the Coop or for enrollment information, call Lori Tilgner at 253-6099 or visit www.stowecoop.com.