Welcome to Cooper School
from Lynn Kulik, Executive Director of Education
Dear Families,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Cooper School.
Many years ago, I walked through the doors at 180 Cooper Avenue in search of a nursery school for my own child. I remember the feeling of that first visit - the sense that I had found a place where children were truly seen, where curiosity was welcomed, and where learning was rooted in relationships. I knew then that I had found something special. Today, I am deeply honored to be part of the Cooper School community, continuing the traditions of Union Cong Nursery School.
Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, we see each child as a unique, capable, and complex human being, full of ideas and possibilities. Children arrive with an innate curiosity and a powerful desire to understand the world around them. We listen closely to their words, observe their thinking, and make space for their questions, theories, creativity, and discoveries. In doing so, we nurture not only what children know, but who they are becoming.
With more than twenty years of experience in education, I am proud of our thoughtful, developmentally appropriate program and the care that defines our classrooms. We create an environment where children can explore with confidence, form meaningful relationships, take risks, and experience the joy of learning. Our goal is to support the whole child - socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually - while honoring the individual path each child takes.
We believe, too, that a child's earliest years of school are a shared journey between children, teachers, and families. Strong partnerships grounded in trust, open communication, and mutual respect are at the heart of our community. We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside families during these formative and fleeting years.
I invite you to come through our doors, spend time in our classrooms, and experience the warmth, curiosity, and sense of possibility that make Cooper School so special. We look forward to getting to know your family and welcoming you into our community.
Warmly,
Lynn Kulik
“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.”
- Loris Malaguzzi, The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach.

