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Once upon a time…
In 2015, Bay Shore Lutheran Church warmly agreed to open their doors to Once Upon A Preschool, Inc. and the neighboring community. While there is no affiliation between the church and the preschool, Teresa is grateful for their gift of hospitality, as well as the encouragement, support and investment from family, friends and many former preschool families who helped make this dream come true. It not only takes a village to raise a child, but to raise a preschool! Because of the kind welcome from the church, the generosity of family, preschool friendships and the North Shore community, the story of Once Upon A Preschool came to life!
There was a preschool!
The preschool program offers a variety of inviting, WONDER-full, thematic units, that promote learning opportunities where children engage in serious play. Once a month, children enter into new “magical” experiences that foster social, emotional, intellectual, relational, and physical growth. Every day provides growth and development in the following areas: language and literacy, math and science, art and music, and the small and large muscle skills.
Once Upon A Preschool is a community enriched by diversity, where every child is welcomed, valued, nurtured and celebrated! The preschool program is designed to promote security and positive self- esteem in each child, while also developing a mutual respect and kindness toward others.
The foundation for the curriculum is a unique blend of positive, educational philosophies found in Montessori, Waldorf Reggio Emilia and Play-based classrooms. Our learning environment engages hands-on activities, stimulates the five senses and encourages creative play among blended ages. While each unit provides new interactions with letters, numbers, colors, shapes and other cognitive concepts, the heart of the preschool experience flows with qualities that foster imagination, inspire creativity, promote community, revere nature and spur on independence.
Teaching teams
Teresa Freding studied Elementary Education at UW-Milwaukee and is certified in Early Childhood Education. She is accredited as a Center Director, Administrator and Early Childhood Teacher by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. In addition, she is an active member of The Registry of Wisconsin. Since 1980, she has enjoyed teaching positions at the UWM Children’s Center, Eastbrook Church, the Schroeder YMCA, Community Preschool of Whitefish Bay and Bright Beginnings Preschool in Shorewood. After raising five children of her own, it was a dream come true to establish Once Upon A Preschool. Teresa is the lead teacher for both the morning and afternoon class.
Annie Turim studied Elementary Education at UW-Madison. She began her career as a teacher's assistant at Atwater Elementary School then took a position as a librarian for a K-8 Charter School in Milwaukee. Both of her daughters experienced the fun of learning at Once Upon A Preschool and continue to carry the core principles of kindness, confidence and imagination in their elementary classrooms. Annie became the morning class teaching assistant in 2021.
Claire Troyer studied Elementary Education at the University of Kentucky and taught Kindergarten for six years. She also worked as a reading specialist after earning her Master's Degree in Literacy. Along with her husband, she is raising three children. Their youngest fell in love with learning right here at Once Upon A Preschool. Clare is excited to be the teaching assistant for the afternoon class.
Testimonials
"What sets preschools apart from each other are two things: first and foremost are the teachers, second is the classroom space in which the preschool is held. These two things are what make Once Upon A Preschool the standout preschool that it is. The classroom is lovingly and creatively filled with the most amazing things for preschoolers: an apple tree that the kids can actually pick apples from, a realistic cockpit for the kids to pretend they are flying a space ship, a blacksmith shop, a "campfire" to roast marshmallows, tents to camp in... the list goes on with unbelievably realistic backdrops and items that make the units REAL for the kids. What Mrs. Freding creates is unmatched by anything I have ever seen in my teaching career or my years as a parent of four kids."
~Amy Bruett, Whitefish Bay
"Teresa developed this program to build self confidence, foster parent participation, and create mutual respect among the children. Teresa sees children in a way unlike anyone I have ever encountered. She can find positive attributes in every child in any situation. She shares her observations freely with her students and parents. I often think, "What would Mrs. Freding do?" when I get frustrated at home. When my four year old is trying to master a new skill and gets exasperated, she pauses and says, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That's what Mrs. Freding says!"
~Maggie Phillips Reeve, Shorewood
"As a kindergarten teacher for 32 years, outstanding childhood education has been my focus for the greater part of my life. In all of my years of teaching kindergarten, I have never seen anything like the classroom of Teresa Freding. Her creativity and love for teaching is very evident. My grandson, Colin, looked forward to going to school every day and the knowledge and experiences he gained during his time with her are priceless. One rarely encounters this degree of superior teaching and dedication. "
~Joanne Ferber, Mequon
"My daughter experienced the MAGIC that Mrs. Freding creates. AMAZINGLY, the classroom is changed on a monthly basis to match their thematic units. In recent months, the classroom was transformed into outer space, a kingdom, the sea and a rainforest. The creativity and the sheer amount of materials, including trees, playhouses, costumes, homemade castles and spaceships, dumbfounds me not only because of the limited time she dedicates to her craft but also how, as a 42 year old adult, I turn into a kid each time I enter the space."
~Jackie Muirhead, (former SHS Spanish teacher)
"Imagination. Creativity. Love. Respect. Self-worth. Integrity. Love of Learning. Early Education at its best. As a parent, you want your child to have a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. At Once Upon A Preschool, your child will grow, develop, and flourish under the guidance of Mrs. Freding. Young minds need play, space to learn, opportunities to question, and confidence to feel secure and independent. The teachers and their ability to connect to every student makes this a reality. They truly set the foundation for love of school and learning. Mrs. Freding's passion for teaching preschool is unparalleled, with her ability to make every child feel important and valued. The classroom comes alive with amazing units and countless hands-on activities. Regardless of age, you will want to go back to preschool! Having Mrs. Freding as a preschool teacher for both of my children was truly a gift and I am thankful she was part of their early learning experience."
--Rita Davis, Shorewood
In 2015, Bay Shore Lutheran Church warmly agreed to open their doors to Once Upon A Preschool, Inc. and the neighboring community. While there is no affiliation between the church and the preschool, Teresa is grateful for their gift of hospitality, as well as the encouragement, support and investment from family, friends and many former preschool families who helped make this dream come true. It not only takes a village to raise a child, but to raise a preschool! Because of the kind welcome from the church, the generosity of family, preschool friendships and the North Shore community, the story of Once Upon A Preschool came to life!
There was a preschool!
The preschool program offers a variety of inviting, WONDER-full, thematic units, that promote learning opportunities where children engage in serious play. Once a month, children enter into new “magical” experiences that foster social, emotional, intellectual, relational, and physical growth. Every day provides growth and development in the following areas: language and literacy, math and science, art and music, and the small and large muscle skills.
Once Upon A Preschool is a community enriched by diversity, where every child is welcomed, valued, nurtured and celebrated! The preschool program is designed to promote security and positive self- esteem in each child, while also developing a mutual respect and kindness toward others.
The foundation for the curriculum is a unique blend of positive, educational philosophies found in Montessori, Waldorf Reggio Emilia and Play-based classrooms. Our learning environment engages hands-on activities, stimulates the five senses and encourages creative play among blended ages. While each unit provides new interactions with letters, numbers, colors, shapes and other cognitive concepts, the heart of the preschool experience flows with qualities that foster imagination, inspire creativity, promote community, revere nature and spur on independence.
Teaching teams
Teresa Freding studied Elementary Education at UW-Milwaukee and is certified in Early Childhood Education. She is accredited as a Center Director, Administrator and Early Childhood Teacher by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. In addition, she is an active member of The Registry of Wisconsin. Since 1980, she has enjoyed teaching positions at the UWM Children’s Center, Eastbrook Church, the Schroeder YMCA, Community Preschool of Whitefish Bay and Bright Beginnings Preschool in Shorewood. After raising five children of her own, it was a dream come true to establish Once Upon A Preschool. Teresa is the lead teacher for both the morning and afternoon class.
Annie Turim studied Elementary Education at UW-Madison. She began her career as a teacher's assistant at Atwater Elementary School then took a position as a librarian for a K-8 Charter School in Milwaukee. Both of her daughters experienced the fun of learning at Once Upon A Preschool and continue to carry the core principles of kindness, confidence and imagination in their elementary classrooms. Annie became the morning class teaching assistant in 2021.
Claire Troyer studied Elementary Education at the University of Kentucky and taught Kindergarten for six years. She also worked as a reading specialist after earning her Master's Degree in Literacy. Along with her husband, she is raising three children. Their youngest fell in love with learning right here at Once Upon A Preschool. Clare is excited to be the teaching assistant for the afternoon class.
Testimonials
"What sets preschools apart from each other are two things: first and foremost are the teachers, second is the classroom space in which the preschool is held. These two things are what make Once Upon A Preschool the standout preschool that it is. The classroom is lovingly and creatively filled with the most amazing things for preschoolers: an apple tree that the kids can actually pick apples from, a realistic cockpit for the kids to pretend they are flying a space ship, a blacksmith shop, a "campfire" to roast marshmallows, tents to camp in... the list goes on with unbelievably realistic backdrops and items that make the units REAL for the kids. What Mrs. Freding creates is unmatched by anything I have ever seen in my teaching career or my years as a parent of four kids."
~Amy Bruett, Whitefish Bay
"Teresa developed this program to build self confidence, foster parent participation, and create mutual respect among the children. Teresa sees children in a way unlike anyone I have ever encountered. She can find positive attributes in every child in any situation. She shares her observations freely with her students and parents. I often think, "What would Mrs. Freding do?" when I get frustrated at home. When my four year old is trying to master a new skill and gets exasperated, she pauses and says, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That's what Mrs. Freding says!"
~Maggie Phillips Reeve, Shorewood
"As a kindergarten teacher for 32 years, outstanding childhood education has been my focus for the greater part of my life. In all of my years of teaching kindergarten, I have never seen anything like the classroom of Teresa Freding. Her creativity and love for teaching is very evident. My grandson, Colin, looked forward to going to school every day and the knowledge and experiences he gained during his time with her are priceless. One rarely encounters this degree of superior teaching and dedication. "
~Joanne Ferber, Mequon
"My daughter experienced the MAGIC that Mrs. Freding creates. AMAZINGLY, the classroom is changed on a monthly basis to match their thematic units. In recent months, the classroom was transformed into outer space, a kingdom, the sea and a rainforest. The creativity and the sheer amount of materials, including trees, playhouses, costumes, homemade castles and spaceships, dumbfounds me not only because of the limited time she dedicates to her craft but also how, as a 42 year old adult, I turn into a kid each time I enter the space."
~Jackie Muirhead, (former SHS Spanish teacher)
"Imagination. Creativity. Love. Respect. Self-worth. Integrity. Love of Learning. Early Education at its best. As a parent, you want your child to have a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. At Once Upon A Preschool, your child will grow, develop, and flourish under the guidance of Mrs. Freding. Young minds need play, space to learn, opportunities to question, and confidence to feel secure and independent. The teachers and their ability to connect to every student makes this a reality. They truly set the foundation for love of school and learning. Mrs. Freding's passion for teaching preschool is unparalleled, with her ability to make every child feel important and valued. The classroom comes alive with amazing units and countless hands-on activities. Regardless of age, you will want to go back to preschool! Having Mrs. Freding as a preschool teacher for both of my children was truly a gift and I am thankful she was part of their early learning experience."
--Rita Davis, Shorewood
