Taryn Kaplan, Director/Teacher (they/them)
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Taryn Kaplan, Director/Teacher (they/them)
Mx. Taryn (pronounced like “mix”) is our School Director, Lead Pre-K Teacher, and Early Learners Teacher here at Heights Cooperative Preschool. They bring more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, along with a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, joyful, and respectful learning environments where every child and family feels valued and celebrated. Mx. Taryn has taught in a variety of educational settings across the United States as well as in Haiti, experiences that continue to shape their global perspective on teaching, community, and the power of connection. In recognition of their dedication, Mx. Taryn was honored with the Cleveland LGBT Community Center’s Heritage Day Public Service Award for their work at Heights, celebrating their leadership and commitment to building inclusive, affirming spaces for children and families. In the classroom, Mx. Taryn believes in nurturing curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness in even the youngest learners. They encourage children to ask big questions, explore the world around them through hands-on experiences, and develop a strong sense of empathy and responsibility, whether they are just beginning to make sense of the world or learning how their actions affect others. Their teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is capable, unique, and deserving of opportunities to build confidence, curiosity, and creativity through meaningful play and exploration. As Director, Mx. Taryn works in close partnership with staff and families to ensure our school community thrives. They are passionate about the cooperative model and the important role it plays in helping families feel connected, empowered, and involved in the learning journey. Mx. Taryn leads with a commitment to transparency, inclusion, and compassion, qualities that help shape the warm, welcoming culture of Heights Cooperative. Mx. Taryn is also deeply engaged in the wider community. They co-lead a Daisy Girl Scout troop in Shaker Heights, supporting young children as they build confidence, friendships, and a sense of responsibility to their community. In addition, Mx. Taryn serves on several community boards and organizations, reflecting their ongoing commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and community-centered work beyond the classroom. As the oldest of five siblings, Mx. Taryn developed leadership, communication, and caregiving skills from an early age. Growing up in a busy family required collaboration, patience, and attentiveness, experiences that continue to shape how they build relationships and lead with care. Mx. Taryn also plays an active role in the lives of their six nephews, whose ages range from three to ten, keeping them closely connected to children across a wide range of early childhood and elementary stages. Beyond their work at school and in the community, Mx. Taryn is part of a close and intentional family constellation that includes their partners and one partner’s three children. Sharing time together, building traditions, and supporting children through different stages of childhood and adolescence continues to deepen Mx. Taryn’s understanding of family life, communication, and the many ways children need care and connection as they grow. The children are also part of the Heights community in their own ways, volunteering their time when able and helping with community projects, reflecting the shared values of care, responsibility, and connection that shape life at Heights. In addition to their human students, Mx. Taryn’s classrooms are home to our beloved school pets: Kiwi and Mango the guinea pigs, Glitter the tortoise, and Cooper the Therapy Dog. These classroom companions help children learn about responsibility, empathy, and our connections to the natural world, and they are a cherished part of daily life at Heights. At home in Cleveland Heights, Mx. Taryn lives with their partners and a lively household of animals, including two dogs (Jack and Cooper), two cats (T’Challa and Allen), and their rats Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. They are a devoted animal lover and passionate about building environments, both at home and at school, where relationships, exploration, and a sense of belonging thrive. Originally from Massachusetts, Mx. Taryn has a lifelong appreciation for rocky coastlines, fall foliage that sets impossible standards, and knowing exactly how to pronounce “Worcester.” Outside of school, Mx. Taryn is deeply engaged in activism and community work, and also finds joy in traveling, music festivals, crafting, gardening, hiking, and caring for their (very large) collection of houseplants. Their life beyond the classroom reflects a strong commitment to mental health, social justice, LGBTQ+ visibility in education, and community-centered learning across all stages of childhood. Favorite Children’s Book: The Mess We Made by Michelle Lord, a powerful reminder of the impact we have on our environment and the importance of teaching children to care for our world. Read Mx. Taryn's Meet the Teacher bio here. |
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Sam Dominic, Teacher (she/her)
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Ms. Sam is the Lead Teacher in our Threes Classroom and plays an essential role in helping our youngest preschoolers build a strong foundation for learning, friendship, and independence. She brings warmth, patience, and creativity to her teaching, creating a classroom environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them. Ms. Sam is especially passionate about helping young children grow their social-emotional skills, practice problem-solving, and build confidence through play and hands-on learning experiences.
In addition to her classroom teaching, Ms. Sam incorporates Music and Movement into her daily routines. These activities help children strengthen their bodies, regulate their emotions, and develop a lifelong appreciation for movement and mindfulness. Whether stretching together during yoga, singing familiar songs, or moving to the rhythm of the music, Ms. Sam’s lessons encourage joy, creativity, and connection. Ms. Sam lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband and their two sons, ages 11 and 8. As a family, they love to travel and Ms. Sam has explored the Dominican Republic, France, and Spain — with hopes of adding more adventures in the future. Outside of school, Ms. Sam enjoys spending time with her family, discovering new places, and bringing her creativity into her work with young children. Favorite Children’s Book: The Snowy Day — a timeless story that celebrates imagination, wonder, and the small joys of childhood. Read Ms. Sam's Meet the Teacher bio here. |
Margie Balog, Teacher (she/her)
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Ms. Margie is our Assistant Director, Lead Teacher in the Threes and Fours Classroom, and our Music, Movement, and Yoga Teacher here at Heights Cooperative Preschool. She brings a wealth of experience and a joyful, nurturing spirit to her many roles within our school community. A certified yoga teacher, Margie thoughtfully incorporates mindfulness, breathing, and movement into her work with young children, helping them build confidence, develop self-regulation tools, and connect more deeply with themselves and others.
With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, Margie believes strongly in the power of play, relationships, and creativity as the foundation for meaningful learning. In the Threes and Fours Classroom, she fosters a warm and welcoming environment where children are encouraged to wonder, explore, and express themselves fully. She is passionate about supporting young learners as they grow their social, emotional, and academic skills through hands-on experiences, open-ended questions, and collaborative problem-solving. In addition to her work in the classroom, Margie leads our weekly Music, Movement, and Yoga classes for all children at Heights. These joyful sessions are filled with singing, dancing, stretching, and laughter — all thoughtfully designed to help children build coordination, body awareness, and a lifelong love of movement and music. As Assistant Director, Margie works closely with staff and families to ensure our school community feels supported, connected, and well cared for. Her warmth, humor, and steady presence make her a trusted resource for both children and adults. Margie lives in Mayfield Heights with her husband Don, their sweet dog Lola, and their bearded dragon Rocky. She and Don have three grown-up children who continue to inspire her every day with their creativity and compassion. Outside of school, Margie enjoys gardening, reading, listening to live music, and spending time outdoors. Favorite Children’s Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems — because it never fails to bring big smiles and laughter! Read Ms. Margie's Meet the Teacherl bio here. |
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Wes Hall, Aide (they/them)
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Teacher Wes is the newest addition to our Heights Cooperative Preschool team in the role of Classroom Support Aide and Assistant Teacher. This year, they will primarily work in the PreK and 3/4s Classroom, collaborating closely with Mx. Taryn and Ms. Margie, and will also provide support to Ms. Sam as needed. Teacher Wes brings a background in engineering and a lifelong love of science and space exploration to the classroom, sparking curiosity and wonder in the children through hands-on projects and big, imaginative questions.
They are passionate about fostering a classroom environment where children feel safe to ask questions, try new things, and build confidence through playful discovery. Teacher Wes loves encouraging problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity, whether through building, experimenting, or simply wondering together about the world (and the stars beyond!). In addition to their role in the classroom, Teacher Wes also serves on our Board of Directors as Maintenance and Facilities Director, helping to ensure that our school environment remains safe, welcoming, and well cared for. They enjoy building, tinkering, and finding creative solutions; whether assembling classroom furniture, fixing a wobbly shelf, or dreaming up new ideas to make our learning spaces even more engaging for children. A fun fact: Wes is also the proud builder of the ball pit in our gym-a school favorite and a project that earned them near-celebrity status with our students. Outside of school, Wes runs a small business designing and building custom plant stands, blending their love of woodworking with their passion for functional, beautiful design. Many returning families already know that Teacher Wes is also Mx. Taryn’s partner, and this connection reflects the sense of family and community we hold dear at Heights. It was their dedication to both Mx. Taryn and the children of Heights that inspired them to seek this role more formally, recognizing how meaningful it is to support the growth and care of young learners within a community they’ve come to deeply value. Teacher Wes is excited to continue growing with our Heights community and can’t wait to support our students’ curiosity, creativity, and love of learning in the year ahead! Favorite Children's Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Read Teacher Wes's Full Bio here |
Caitlin Fisher, Marketing (they/them) |
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Mx. Caitlin joined our team for school year 2022-2023 to help us create a new website! They now help out part time to manage our blog and keep our community to date on the latest news at Heights.
Caitlin formerly worked with children as a pre-school aide and a nanny, and they love staying in touch with the education and learning needs of upcoming generations! Caitlin lives in Akron, Ohio with their partner, roommates, three cats, and a corgi named Gwen. Favorite Children's Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom |
Cooper, Therapy Dog (she/her)Cooper is a mixed breed rescue dog from Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. We fostered her at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, and adopted her over the summer. She's officially in training to be a therapy dog and has an important job in the PreK classroom helping us practice social and emotional skills. Check our our wishlist for Cooper and her friends here! You can read more about Cooper and how she's working at Heights on our blog!
Read Cooper's full bio here. |
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