Colleen Lindsay

K6 After Care

Colleen “Coco” Lindsay grew up in the forests, fields and rivers of Cascadia (SW Washington). Belonging to a large, loving Finno/Irish family, she spent hours creating with cousins and learning about the world through play. Some of her favorite moments were directing her playmates in back porch plays, building props and sets out of any materials they could put their hands on. Bed sheets, boards and boxes were forever transformed into the world of their imagination. Through play, she noticed how each person had unique traits, specialites and challenges. This led her to a lifelong pursuit of psychology, learning, and creativity.

After high school, Colleen pursued an education in personal and organizational psychology. She married her high school sweetheart and had three children (Eli, Noah & Ali). When they entered school, she volunteered in the classroom and worked at the public library. As a Children’s Librarian, she shared her love of books and learning with youth of all ages.

When her children were raised, she chose to become an educator. Colleen has taught reading, writing and relationship to youth from kinder to twelve grade, both in schools and in community organizations. She currently works part-time at the CASEE Center adding environmental studies and earth care to her teaching. Coming to work at the Gardner school fulfills a lifelong dream. She is eager to get to know the children and the community and share her love of learning.

Beyond her work in schools, Colleen shares her understanding of creativity through coaching and classes with anyone who wants to PLAY. Believing that human’s greatest skill is creativity, she encourages and inspires everyone to find their own unique ways of creating their purpose in the world. She enjoys writing, creating recycled art, practicing improv and working on projects that utilize PLAY to create a world of love, happiness and equity for all.