Our Teachers
Samantha Fitts, Co-Director & 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, Co-Director & 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
Ramona Dalgarn, Preschool & Toddler Teacher
Ramona is finishing up her degree in Early Childhood Education at CSUCI. She has
been balancing our Toddler parent and me class, our Preschool class full of 2 year
olds since she joined our school staff in 2022.
Warmly,
Teacher Ramona
Jessica Sidwell, Pre-K Teacher
Teacher Jess is excited to begin her first year teaching at the Co-op. First introduced
to the Co-op through friends, she loves and appreciates the community that she and
her 3 children have here. A former Special Education teacher she has experience with
classroom management, social/behavioral development, literacy, and mathematic instruction.
She enjoyed working with parents, other teachers, Para educators, and therapists many
she loves to still keep in touch with. Most of all her experience has helped her value
the uniqueness of each student and the joy of witnessing their growth. Teacher Jess
grew up in Utah and now enjoys making her home here in Camarillo. She graduated with
a B.S. in Special Education from Brigham Young University in 2011 and has taught and
volunteered in the field including volunteering as a coach and delegation head for
Special Olympics Unified Soccer. Her biggest joy and learning opportunity so far has
been as a spouse and mother to a 4-year-old son, 2-year-old son, and 1-year-old daughter.
As a family, they enjoy the outdoors, reading, and puzzles. On her hour off, Teacher
Jess enjoys reading a good book or catching up with friends, munching on peanut butter
and chocolate while trying out a new recipe. She feels grateful to be in a room of
like-minded parents who are also amazed by preschoolers' minds and imaginations.
Kindly,
Teacher Jess
