In 1967, Michael and Jo-Anna Moore, moved from Seattle, Washington to Gorham, where Michael had been hired by Gorham State Teachers College to teach Art. While in Seattle, they had the opportunity to enroll their then three-year-old in a cooperative preschool program run by the University of Washington.
As educators, they saw the overwhelming benefits of a strong preschool experience, rich in learning and growth opportunities for three- and four-year-olds. Sadly, Gorham did not have many early childhood opportunities fifty-four years ago.
With some of their university colleagues, they formed an educational organization, sought legal advice, secured a basement space in the Congregational Church and with consultation and training from Miss Farrar, a Gorham Kindergarten teacher, created the Gorham Cooperative Preschool. From these modest beginnings, the preschool would grow into an institution with a rich history of preparing hundreds of little Gorham students for kindergarten and life beyond. Moore’s daughter Sarah, who is now an executive at L.L.Bean, was one of the first students of the program.
Photo credit: Nikki PrattFront Row: Dannielle, Henry & Paul Bangs. Back Row: Isaac & Tana Krohn, Nikki Pratt, Karen Lin, Jo-Anna Moore, Sarah Moore Cox, Jen, Mabel, Edwin & Mike Schaefer, Michael Moore.
The Moores were delighted to know that the program was still thriving. After contacting the current lead teacher, Ms. Karen Lin, they were invited to visit the program and to meet the current families involved in the learning venture. On the evening of June 15, 2022, the Moores and their daughter returned to Gorham to visit the program that they had started.
The Gorham Cooperative Preschool is a state licensed program currently located in the town of Gorham owned building located in center field at Robie Park. (Across from the Municipal Center) The preschool provides a two-day-per-week program for three-year-olds, and a three-day-per-week program for four-year-olds. Ms. Lin stated that “A cooperative program is unique because families are directly involved as volunteers, board members and partners in education. This is a rich educational experience that supports each child’s unique social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth as they learn to adjust to a structured school environment.”
According to Meghan Duquette, a parent of GCP students the past few years, “The experience as a volunteer is invaluable. You get to meet all of the students, meet other parents, work as partners with the teachers and learn about child development. You get to see your children grow as learners!”
There are currently a limited number of openings for both of the school’s programs. The preschool is also seeking a new assistant teacher. If interested in joining GCP, you may contact Ms. Lin at 207-839-4706 or teachers.gcp@gmail.com.