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The Kossak Family
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about us...
Director/head Teacher
I am Audrey Kossak and I’m excited to continue my passion for teaching children 6 months up to school age, here in the Flathead Valley. I have lots of love, energy, and passion to share with you and your loved ones.
I moved here with my family in July 2018 after visiting every year, for the last 10 years. I've really enjoyed meeting the families and organizations of the Flathead Valley. I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity painting, puppeteering with the Flathead National Forest, leading field trips for K-4th grader's at Lone Pine State Park, exploring the Whitefish Trail System, working for The Imagination Station, and taking health science courses at FVCC. I love being a support system for families in the Flathead Valley.
Before I moved to Montana, I had a family child care for 6 years, caring infants to preschool kids (over 60 families). Prior to that I assisted in the development of Nonna's Family Child Care in San Francisco, and was a Care Teacher there through the pregnancy of my daughter Natalie. I have a long history of working with children; babysitting as a preteen, counseling school age children in the wilderness of Whiskeytown Lake, CA and teaching preschoolers crafts in Arnold, CA during my college summers. I taught preschool at Learning Bridge in San Francisco. I worked beside City College SF faculty to facilitate a free play space for kids and to advise parents; All while going to school to become a California State Certified Site Supervisor.
Prior to my education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education; I earned a B.A. in Studio Arts, with a minor in Communication Design. I put those degrees to good use for a few years in the Advertising field of San Francisco. I fell out of love with a desk job and in love with my husband and his 3 children who encouraged me to pursue a career that would make me truly happy, teaching children. I have been a positive role model and step mom to 3 fabulous, now adults, for over 15 years. My 11 year old still keeps me on my toes and inspires me to read, explore, and create more each day.
I grew up in the Redwoods of Arcata, CA and was raised alongside 4 sisters and 2 brothers. At a very young age I learned to put others before myself and compromise for the good of the group. My mother is a huge inspiration to me; she has taught me patience and compassion. Growing up I learned to appreciate how unique every individual child is, even when they come from the same gene pool. Growing up in such a big family has definitely influenced my desire to reach out to help my community and make them feel like an extension of my family.
In my spare time I enjoy yoga, running, hiking, paddle boarding, tennis, skiing, painting, dancing, baking, and being crafty.
I moved here with my family in July 2018 after visiting every year, for the last 10 years. I've really enjoyed meeting the families and organizations of the Flathead Valley. I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity painting, puppeteering with the Flathead National Forest, leading field trips for K-4th grader's at Lone Pine State Park, exploring the Whitefish Trail System, working for The Imagination Station, and taking health science courses at FVCC. I love being a support system for families in the Flathead Valley.
Before I moved to Montana, I had a family child care for 6 years, caring infants to preschool kids (over 60 families). Prior to that I assisted in the development of Nonna's Family Child Care in San Francisco, and was a Care Teacher there through the pregnancy of my daughter Natalie. I have a long history of working with children; babysitting as a preteen, counseling school age children in the wilderness of Whiskeytown Lake, CA and teaching preschoolers crafts in Arnold, CA during my college summers. I taught preschool at Learning Bridge in San Francisco. I worked beside City College SF faculty to facilitate a free play space for kids and to advise parents; All while going to school to become a California State Certified Site Supervisor.
Prior to my education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education; I earned a B.A. in Studio Arts, with a minor in Communication Design. I put those degrees to good use for a few years in the Advertising field of San Francisco. I fell out of love with a desk job and in love with my husband and his 3 children who encouraged me to pursue a career that would make me truly happy, teaching children. I have been a positive role model and step mom to 3 fabulous, now adults, for over 15 years. My 11 year old still keeps me on my toes and inspires me to read, explore, and create more each day.
I grew up in the Redwoods of Arcata, CA and was raised alongside 4 sisters and 2 brothers. At a very young age I learned to put others before myself and compromise for the good of the group. My mother is a huge inspiration to me; she has taught me patience and compassion. Growing up I learned to appreciate how unique every individual child is, even when they come from the same gene pool. Growing up in such a big family has definitely influenced my desire to reach out to help my community and make them feel like an extension of my family.
In my spare time I enjoy yoga, running, hiking, paddle boarding, tennis, skiing, painting, dancing, baking, and being crafty.
Assistant Teacher
Maggie Lawrence is native to Whitefish, she graduated from Whitefish High School in 2021. She enjoys working with children, because every single one of them has their own unique personalities. Even though most of them don’t know how to speak full sentences yet, Maggie feels like she can learn new things about them every day. One of her favorite things to do with the children is read stories to them. She finds joy using her characterized voice to bring smiles to their faces. She enjoys how excited they get, over something so small, it reminds her how fun learning can be and it makes her a happy and proud to be teacher. Maggie's personal interests are playing her own music on the piano and singing. I feel like I can really share my love for music with the kids. Maggie is also completing professional development trainings to be a quality early childhood teacher through Montana Early Childhood Project (https://www.mtecp.org). She also holds a current certification in Adult and Infant CPR and First Aid.
SUB Teacher/handyman
Dennis Kossak is the directors husband and right hand man. Together they have raised 4 children and successfully ran a family childcare “Audrey’s Nest” for six years in Oakland, CA. He’s already an amazing chef and housekeeper, and now he’s training to be a quality early childhood teacher through Montana Early Childhood Project (https://www.mtecp.org ). He holds a current certification in Adult and Infant CPR and First Aid. Dennis has coached baseball and soccer to school age boys and participated in his children's elementary school's Dad's Club and was very involved in Boy scouts for 10 years.
Dennis grew up the youngest of 4 kids in Orange County in Southern California, skateboarding, riding bikes, surfing and learning to cook from his mother. He started working in advertising and print at the young age of 16, following in his fathers footsteps. He worked hard in the Pre Press industry for 30 years. He moved his family to Montana to be closer to his Sister and to live life to the fullest. In his spare time Dennis enjoys boating on Flathead Lake, hiking and staying fit for skiing down Whitefish Mountain.
Dennis grew up the youngest of 4 kids in Orange County in Southern California, skateboarding, riding bikes, surfing and learning to cook from his mother. He started working in advertising and print at the young age of 16, following in his fathers footsteps. He worked hard in the Pre Press industry for 30 years. He moved his family to Montana to be closer to his Sister and to live life to the fullest. In his spare time Dennis enjoys boating on Flathead Lake, hiking and staying fit for skiing down Whitefish Mountain.
| dennis_certification.pdf |
