Mrs. Lindy Parrales serves as lead teacher and Mrs. Nina Jackson and Mrs. Jennifer Gormley serve as assistant teachers for GSLP’s 5-Day Pre-Kindergarten class.

About Today’s Featured Team

Mrs. Parrales: I am originally from Alexandria, Virginia, but moved every couple of years growing up. I tend to call Pittsburgh home because it is where I spent the most time and graduated high school. Yes, I am still a huge Steelers fan! I have lived in Maryland with my husband for the last 30 years. I have a daughter who teaches kindergarten with MCPS and a son (a GSLP alum), who is a senior at James Madison University.

Mrs. Jackson: I am originally from New York but have lived in the Maryland area for 17 years. My degree is in fine arts (visual arts), though I took some childhood education courses in undergrad for fun! I have one son and one daughter. When my daughter was attending GSLP, I started as a substitute, and now they can't get me to leave! I have always enjoyed working with and on behalf of children in a variety of roles. For example, in college, I was part of a mentoring program for elementary school children, and in the DC area, before its closure, I worked at the Capital Children's Museum in guest services.

Mrs. Gormley: I am originally from New Jersey but have lived in the DC area for many years. I received a bachelor's degree in Education from The Catholic University of America and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland. I was a teacher in MCPS for 12 years and have spent many recent years with my children at home. My children are 11, 9, and 6 years old. I started substitute teaching at GSLP while my youngest daughter was in pre-K and loved working with the children and staff at GSLP. I was lucky to join Mrs. Parrales's team in 2018 and look forward to another year ahead.

What These Teammates Love About Working at GSLP

Mrs. Parrales: I love working with the children each and every day! It is so rewarding to witness their growth socially and academically throughout the year. I enjoy getting to know and working with the families of GSLP to ensure each child gets the support they need. I especially love the challenge of making sure the children are prepared and ready to enter kindergarten with confidence and a love of learning! I cannot say enough about the staff at GSLP. They are a kind, dedicated, and deeply committed group of women. We enjoy working with each other to create the best preschool experience possible for each and every child walking through the doors of GSLP!

Mrs. Jackson: I love working with the children. Their perspectives are interesting, fresh and entertaining. I enjoy engaging with them and learning about them as people. It is very rewarding to see their progress through the year as they grow in ability and confidence.

Mrs. Gormley: It is amazing to see how the students grow and develop throughout the school year. I love their energy and seeing their smiling faces each day.

Thank you, Mrs. Parrales, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Gormley! We are glad to have you on the GSLP team!

Mrs. Tracey German and Mrs. Sandra Lawson serve as co-lead teachers for GSLP’s 3-Day Pre-Kindergarten class. Mrs. Lawson will serve as GSLP’s Educational Program Director beginning this fall.

About Today’s Featured Team

Mrs. German: My husband and I have two daughters, a high school sophomore and a third grader (who both attended GSLP). I was afforded the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom, and once our youngest started elementary school, I began to work outside the home. After a year as a lunch recess aide, I decided I wanted more interaction with the children and began working at GSLP.

Mrs. Lawson: I'm originally from Los Angeles, California, but I have been a Maryland transplant for 13 years. I have always been in the education field, even peripherally — I worked for a tutoring company through college, then as a high school teacher, and then as a program manager that worked closely with school on grants and character programs. My husband and I met in college and have been married for almost 15 years. We have two wonderful kiddos: a 6-year-old son, who did 3 years at GSLP, and a 4-year-old daughter, who is in her last year at GSLP. I was a stay-at-home mom after my son was born, and last year I was blessed to be able to join the GSLP teaching team!

What These Teammates Love About Working at GSLP

Mrs. German: It is wonderful to see the growth and confidence [the children] exhibit throughout the year!

Mrs. Lawson: As a co-teacher there are so many wonderful things about working at GSLP. The sense of wonder a child brings to the class is contagious! I have amazing coworkers who help each other, find plenty of reasons to laugh and are always building each other up! I love getting to know each child and watching them shine!

Thank you, Mrs. German and Mrs. Lawson! We are glad to have you on the GSLP team!

Caring, kindness, compassion - LOVE. It’s one of the most important qualities our teachers bring to the classroom.

Love, learning, and laughter - it’s part of our motto and our mission at GSLP. Love of learning, love for our neighbors, and love for each child in our care.

Our teachers, as we’ve said all week, care deeply about promoting children’s learning and work hard to improve their practice and create exciting, engaging lessons. However, every teacher understands that the first step in helping children grow and fulfill their potential is to ensure they feel safe and loved in the classroom.

Teachers strive to create an environment where children feel safe to explore new things, to make mistakes and try again, and to express and learn to recognize their feelings. A safe environment like this is built on a foundation of love. Teachers help children feel that school is a place where they belong and where they will always find someone who cares.

Each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, GSLP will share one of the many things that make our teachers such special people. We thank all our teachers for their hard work, dedication, and service to the community!

Mrs. Melissa Ganz and Mrs. Lori Forcey serve as co-lead teachers for GSLP’s 2-Day Early Pre-Kindergarten 3 and 3-Day Pre-Kindergarten classes.

About Today’s Featured Team

Mrs. Ganz: I am originally from Long Island, NY. I moved down to Maryland 13 years ago with my husband, and soon after moving, I had my son (who is a GSLP alum). I am also a mom to a rescue dog named Bear. I've been working at GSLP since my son was in Pre-K. I have taught or assisted in the Early Pre-K 2, Early Pre-K 3, and Pre-K classes.

Mrs. Forcey: I am a graduate of the University of Maryland, and I spent seven years as a sports writer for several newspapers before transitioning to public relations. I started working at GSLP in 2010 when my two sons (both GSLP grads) were in kindergarten and pre-K. They’re now in 9th and 8th grade, respectively.

What These Teammates Love About Working at GSLP

Mrs. Ganz: My favorite thing about working at GSLP is the kids. I love getting to know the children and the families of GSLP. I love watching them grow, succeed and become confident in their abilities. My co-workers at GSLP are a great group of caring women and make coming to work a fun place to be.

Mrs. Forcey: The kids. I love it when they grasp new concepts; they are so proud of themselves.

Thank you, Mrs. Ganz and Mrs. Forcey! We are glad to have you on the GSLP team!

Answering the Call: Because teaching is a not just a career, it’s a vocation.

How do the people on our staff end up at GSLP? As mentioned in our first Teacher Appreciation Week post, many staff members did not set out to become teachers from day one. However, they all eventually heard the call - that this was the path they were meant to be on.

Teaching is not an easy job. If you find it difficult to be around one or two preschoolers at home, imagine being in a room with 12 to 16 (or in some places, more!) of them, day in and day out. But teachers who feel the call thrive in this environment, taking on the challenge armed with an understanding of child development and a knack for communicating in a way that connects with young kids.

Teaching is an opportunity to serve the community, something we takes seriously at GSLP. Our teachers bring a sense of purpose to their work, knowing that they will help shape the future through their influence on children. That purpose drives them to give their best every day in the classroom. We are amazed every day at the hard work and dedication on display from our staff as they answer their call.

Each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, GSLP will share one of the many things that make our teachers such special people. We thank all our teachers for their hard work, dedication, and service to the community!