Willow Tree Preschool has two teachers on staff—Kimberly Palmer, and Annemarie Neuman. Our consulting yoga teacher, Angela Ruggles, and music teacher, Zoe Chamberlin come weekly, bringing their unique talents and perspective, rounding out our program.
Kimberly Palmer, Owner, Director and Teacher Kim is the owner, director and teacher at Willow Tree Preschool, and has been an early childhood educator since college where she studied early childhood education, psychology and dabbled in photography. In 2005, after teaching a few years and co-owning another program, Kim was inspired to open Willow Tree Preschool in her home. Her goal was to provide a small, warm, intimate, and nurturing environment for children. She continues to learn and finds inspiration in various philosophies and teaching practices, and has always found the most inspiration from the children. She finds joy in each day with the kids and is honored to be a part of their unique paths of learning and exploration. As well as her passion for teaching, Kim has a dance background and shares her love of dance with the children, using rhythm and dance in the classroom. She strives to have a classroom that is alive, always growing and changing to reflect the children and teachers who work and play there. She also enjoys time with her family, travel, and spending time in nature. The birth of Kim’s daughter in 2009 and her son in 2013 have been her greatest teachers yet.
Angela Ruggles,
Consulting Yoga Teacher
Introducing yoga to children at a young age is a gift to them. Not only do they build a strong and flexible physical foundation, but more importantly, upon that foundation, the child begins to know and develop a sense of self and build upon their feeling of centeredness and self worth. Catherine Dart started teaching yoga in New York and has been teaching since 2000. She joins us at Willow Tree every week, teaching us yoga for children in her fun, dynamic style.
Annemarie Neuman, Co-teacher
Annemarie has been part of the Willow Tree Preschool community since 2009. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Psychology, Annemarie first gained experience working with children and families in public social services. After marriage and the birth of her two boys, Annemarie enjoyed several years as a stay-at-home mom, expanding her understanding and interest in early childhood development. When her younger son, Silas, started kindergarten, an opportunity to join the Willow Tree staff emerged and she welcomed the chance to work within the community she both appreciated and respected. As a teacher, Annemarie enjoys the humor and creativity of the preschoolers and delights in supporting them as they develop interpersonal skills and their own unique personalities. Outside of school, Annemarie enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.
Zoe Chamberlin, Music Teacher
Zoe has been teaching music to kids of various ages on and off since 2002. Her music-teaching career kicked off with teaching hand drumming classes to groups of teenage girls at a residential treatment center, which ignited her passion for music facilitation. From 2005 to 2008, Zoe worked at Willow Tree Preschool as a full-time teacher and in-house musician, often playing her revered jumbo guitar, Big Bertha. Although the students were a lot smaller than teenagers, their enthusiasm and appreciation for music was not. Now, several years later, Zoe is thrilled to once again be part of the amazing Willow Tree community. During a typical music session, kids participate by playing/using their voices, bodies, rhythm sticks, shaker eggs, percussion instruments, bells, gathering and small hand drums, play scarves, a parachute, and whatever other cool objects Zoe happens to get her hands on. You can find out more about Zoe at zazzyzoe.com.
