Joan Turner, Director

Director Joan Turner has been in education for nearly 30 years, and taught at The Acton Cooperative Preschool for six years before becoming the school’s Director in 1999. Joan is an active member in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and serves as an accreditation consultant for the organization. Joan holds a Master of Arts and Teaching degree, and has Administration and Supervision credentials. In addition, she is an Adjunct Professor at Mass Bay Community College and is well regarded in her field and is frequently asked to speak at area schools.

As a mother of three grown children, she epitomizes the best in early childhood education; she is well trained, experienced and caring, and intimately involved with each child in her care. Joan is the mainstay of our program for children and parents alike.

Our Staff

The Acton Coop has an extraordinary staff of highly experienced teachers and caregivers. They are dedicated educators with a deep understanding of how children learn and play at different stages of development. The result is an environment filled with play and friendship, with children gaining competence, confidence, and a growing sense of self.

Our director and teachers have been carefully selected to meet the high standards set by our school. With an average of 15 years experience, most hold bachelor's and/or master’s degrees in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and many have long tenure with the school.

Many of our teachers have also sent their own children to the school, and have experience from the parent perspective as well (one teacher was actually a student herself!). The staff values parent involvement as a way to be more effective and they work closely in partnership with our parents.