Our Teachers
Shannon Skeens, Director/Toddler and Preschool Class Teacher
Hello! Working with children and families has always been a passion of mine. In 2000,
I began teaching preschool at the San Diego State University Child Development Center
while I was a student. I graduated from San Diego State University in 2001 with a
BS in Child Development specializing in Early Childhood Development and a minor in
Psychology and I have worked with children in some capacity ever since.
Early on in my career I taught at preschools in Virginia and Hawaii where I was also fortunate enough to be able to attend many conferences and workshops to further my education and training. Upon returning to San Diego in 2011, I worked as the Director of the Family and Children's Ministry at Point Loma United Methodist Church and served as Dean at Camp Cedar Glen in the summer for their Elementary aged campers. I also was fortunate to be able to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with Voices For Children working with foster youth in San Diego County. In 2014, my husband's career brought us to Ventura County and in the Spring of 2015 I was hired to work as the Toddler Teacher at PV CO-OP. I continue to be excited to be in the classroom working with young children and our families and feel very fortunate to have found the Co-op!
My husband and I have 4 children who keep us very busy! Family is very important to us, especially as our children are getting older. We love spending as much time together as we can traveling, watching movies, hiking, and playing games.
Warmly,
Shannon Skeens
Samantha Fitts, Pre-K Teacher
Hi, in 1996 I received my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Chemeketa
Community College in Salem, Oregon. Since that time, I have worked with children as
young as 6 weeks old and all the way up to grade school. I spent over four years as
a preschool teacher and assistant director, and later served two and a half years
as the director of a preschool and school age day camp, both in Oregon and then in
California. However, my passion for interacting with children directed me back into
the classroom rather than pursuing administration.
In 2006 I was hired at the co-op to work with Toddlers and their parents, and preschoolers which confirmed my love for the classroom and children, I found out where I belong! I believe that learning and experiencing life through my interactions with children makes it all worth while and I look forward to working with new and returning families each year.
Outside of the classroom I keep busy as a mother of two and a wife. My family includes Nicholas, Brittany and my husband Chris. We enjoy swimming, hiking, small road trips and playing board games.
Fondly,
Samantha Fitts
Gwyn Vanoni, Combo Class Teacher
Hi! After having been a Co-op parent for 6 years, I got the privilege of getting
to bring my love of education to the Co-op as a substitute and then as a teacher beginning
in Fall 2018. I have a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a minor in Parks
& Recreation Management, with an emphasis in youth leadership, from Northern Arizona
University. I had a successful career in marketing but focused on education as a
key component of my work, including teaching personal finance at Rio Mesa High School
(2003-4) and many community workshops.
For the seven years prior to teaching at the Co-op, I worked as Community Education Specialist II for the University of California (UC) Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. I taught lessons on ag, nature, sustainability and nutrition to youth at the UC Hansen Agricultural Research & Extension Center and worked with members and volunteers to grow young leaders as part of the Ventura County 4-H Program. In January 2018, I began taking early education classes at Oxnard College to reorient my love of education to the preschool years.
Outside of the classroom, I am also passionate about cooking, fabric arts, yoga and agriculture. My 2 elementary-aged daughters, my husband Mark and myself live in Camarillo. Our entire family is actively involved at the Ventura County Fair hosting Uncle Leo's Barn, an exhibit of agriculture including young farm animals, kids activities, and more. I'm looking forward to putting my practical knowledge, education and Co-op know-how to work in the classroom to benefit your child's early years.
All the best, Gwyn Vanoni
