OPNS is a partnership of the following:

First5 Ventura

Oak Park Unified School District

Oak Park Neighborhood For Learning

OPNS allows any family to apply.

Our included areas:
Thousand Oaks
Westlake
Agoura
Calabasas
Simi Valley
West Los Angeles
Santa Monica

Kim Gregorchuk - (Director)

My name is Kim Gregorchuk and I am the preschool director.  I have a background in and a passion for early childhood education.  I believe these are the most important years for establishing a life long love of learning.  I have my Bachelors Degree in Child Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood from California State University, Northridge.

My husband and I recently celebrated our 27^th wedding anniversary.  We have four boys:  Mathew, Phillip, John and Ray.

Beth Brennan, Ph.D. - (Special Education Teacher)

Hi! My name is Beth Brennan and I am the special education teacher at Oak Park Neighborhood School. I am relatively new to Southern California and love life with my family here! I have worked in the field for almost 20 years and earned my Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood from Kent State University. I have worked in education with individuals aged birth through adult.

My experience includes working as part of an interdisciplinary team with Kent State and Akron Children’s Hospital in a model early intervention program, as a researcher in preschool inclusion, as a clinic director in a literacy learning center, as a director of a teacher preparation program, and as a behavior therapist. Coming to OPNS brings me closer to children and families and back to my roots in early childhood education. I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful program!

 Sherri Cohen - (Atelier)

I’m Sherri Cohen, the Atelierista at Oak Park Neighborhood School. The Atelierista is the visual voice of the school. In Italian, atelierista means art teacher. I have my B.A. in Psychology and Art with a Masters in Higher Education and Business. In addition, I have Early Childhood units. For the last 15 years I have worked in an elementary school and preschool setting. I feel I have found my niche with the preschoolers. I look forward working with your children. It is always an adventure.

Lynda Skaggs - (Teacher)

Hi. I’m Lynda Skaggs and I have been a preschool teacher for over 20 years. I have had the great pleasure of teaching at Oak Park Neighborhood School for the past 5 years. I also taught at a privately owned preschool/elementary school in Thousand Oaks for 15 years. I received all my early childhood units at Simi Valley Adult Education in 1987 and renewed my units at Moorpark College. I am looking forward to many more years at Oak Park Neighborhood. I really love it here!

Jane Straughan - (Student Services/Office Manager)

My name is Jane Straughan. I work in the preschool office. My previous experience has been working for many years as an Administrative Assistant in the entertainment field. I have my Associates Arts Degree.

I live here in Oak Park with my husband Jim and two children. Our son and daughter attend Oak Park schools.

I look forward to seeing you when you stop by the office.

Lisa Strumwasser - (Teacher)

My name is Lisa Strumwasser. I am a preschool teacher. I have a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies from California State University , Northridge and have many Graduate courses in Education. I am currently taking additional classes in Early Childhood Education. I have worked as a substitute teacher for OPUSD and LVUSD. I have taught at Gymboree for 14 years before being hired to teach at OPNS.

I have been married for 20 + years. I am the mother of two children. I love to go to the movies, skiing, and attending the theater.

I am very excited to be working with your children and can't wait to see how the year will unfold.