Penny McDermott
Penny McDermott's interest in teaching began at birth; in fact, she inherited it: her mother was a teacher. Her parents met when her mother worked with injured soldiers during World War II, one of whom was her father. Penny always knew that she wanted to teach, so earned her teaching credential at San Diego State, then taught second grade in the Redwood City schools.
Penny entered life at Grace Preschool when her four children attended; she started as a parent helper. After a few years of helping, Penny accepted an offer to teach the preschool. When Mary Carlson, the previous director, planned to retire, Penny worked with Mary as co-director for a year and now is the sole director.
Teaching and directing the preschool brings two of Penny's main interests together. She enjoys helping parents work together to help care for the physical side of the preschool, including maintaining and occasionally upgrading the classroom and play yard. Most of all though, Penny loves watching the children happily learn and grow, getting ready to enter kindergarten when they leave Grace preschool.
Beyond preschool, Penny keeps busy with her family and keeps herself fit by working out, walking, and hiking so that she can keep on teaching, watching, and loving the children at Grace Preschool.
