Maria Lattanzi helping young minds bloom

She plans to retire after teaching for 27 years at the Camas-Washougal Parent Co-op Preschool

Camas-Washougal Parent Co-op Preschool teacher Maria Lattanzi helps student Fiona Robertson create a sunflower with paint. The activity was designed to complement the reading of the book, "Sunflower House." After 27 years, Lattanzi will retire on May 22 to pursue a career in social work. "Maria truly cares for each and every student's well being," said Kara Prynne, a member of the preschool's executive board. "It shows in the way she interacts with the children on a daily basis."

Parent Tina Nelson works with students Ainzlee Hardy (left) and Rafael Lavagnino. According to Lattanzi, parent involvement is an integral part of the curriculum at the C-W Co-op. "Moms, dads and other family members work with the children," she said. "I have more freedom because there is a parent in the classroom. It's a wonderful thing."

The 4-year-olds buzz around the brightly decorated preschool classroom, zooming from station to station.Two students paint pictures of the yellow and purple tulips that are displayed in a vase on a table. Another child sits in front of a tray of plastic toy dinosaurs and reptiles, examining them closely under a magnifying glass. Meanwhile, a few others work on alphabet recognition exercises with a parent volunteer.

The calm voice that resonates through it all is that of teacher Maria Lattanzi. One-by-one, she summons each child up to her station. She takes their hand, gently plops it down into a tray of bright yellow paint, then presses the tiny palm and fingers onto a piece of white construction paper.

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