Educator Highlights: Elysse Hollis, Co-Director of Valley School in Van Nuys, CA

The educators at Valley School in Van Nuys, California believe childhood shouldn’t be rushed. We couldn’t agree more and love meeting preschool educators who strive to meet little learners where they are.

The Valley School mindset is that kids learn best through purposeful play, exploration, and laughter, and their teachers are sure to fill their days with creativity, curiosity, and hands-on fun. After all, what better way is there to help preschoolers learn to love learning than through activities that interest them, rely on all their senses, and allow them to experiment and explore? You can imagine our excitement when we learned a school with a philosophy so aligned to our own is using Preschool With a Purpose and Kindness Connections.

We are grateful to the Valley School team for taking a chance on Highlights Early Learning products! And thank you, Elysse Hollis, for sharing a bit about how she and the Valley School team are using the full curriculum. We appreciate you and everyone at your school!

What makes you most excited to go to work every day?

Elysse: Honestly, it’s the kids! Seeing their little faces light up when they learn something new or accomplish a task is the best feeling in the world. Every day is a new adventure with them, and it’s so rewarding to know we’re helping them grow and thrive.

Preschool With a Purpose

What is something your teachers are enjoying most about Preschool With a Purpose?

Elysse: Our teachers love how easy the program makes their day! The lessons are well thought out, super engaging, and give them the flexibility to add their own creative flair. It’s like having a helpful guide that still lets them have creative control over their classrooms. 

What is something your students are enjoying most about Preschool With a Purpose?

Elysse: The kids absolutely love the hands-on activities and visuals.  

What is something you, as co-director of your school, appreciate about Preschool With a Purpose?

Elysse: As the director, I really appreciate how organized and thoughtful the program is. It takes a lot of pressure off our teachers and ensures that we’re offering high-quality learning experiences. Plus, it’s so nice to have something that aligns with what we know kids need at this stage. 

Are your teachers using Preschool With a Purpose as is, putting their own spin on it, or something in between, and why?

Elysse: It’s definitely a mix! Our teachers like to tweak things here and there to match the kids’ interests or what’s happening that week. It’s awesome that the program is flexible enough to make that work.

Kindness Connections

What is something your teachers are enjoying most about Kindness Connections?

Elysse: Our teachers appreciate how Kindness Connections uses play- and theme-based lessons to teach kindness and empathy. The activities make it easy for children to practice social skills in a meaningful way.

What is something your students are enjoying most about Kindness Connections?

Elysse: Our kiddos enjoy the play-based activities and visuals that make learning about kindness and empathy fun. They feel a sense of empowerment, naturally using compassionate words like "be kind" in their playtime interactions with friends.

What is something you, as director of your school, appreciate about Kindness Connections?

Elysse: As a director, I really like how Kindness Connections creates a positive school culture. It helps children build empathy, strengthen friendships, and make kindness a natural part of their day. The home-school connections, especially Family Newsletters, helps families reinforce kindness and empathy at home, making the impact even stronger.