Parent Testimonial: Alisa Gregory & Grant Cunningham

Dear Miss Alice,

I can’t believe our time with you is finally coming to a close. These past four years you have cared for our two “babies” and provided us with such sound advice and support that we will appreciate (and call on) until the end of time. Thank you for teaching our girls to think for themselves, be kind to their friends, love the elderly and our furry friends, and to always have PEACE in their hearts. We will miss you, but will always think of you with such warm affection. You mean more to us than you will ever know!

Much Love,

Alisa Gregory & Grant Cunningham

Banksia & Millie

2019

Parent Testimonial: Miriam & Arthur Cislo

We are so glad we found this little Gem of a preschool. Miss Alice has a vast knowledge of child development and makes learning fun for the kids. Her activities helped our son become an early reader and transition with ease to a private school. More importantly, He learned kindness, empathy and love for not only his peers but also animals and nature at My Special School. Miss Alice also provided a safe environment for him to increase language when he had difficulties in communicating his needs. She was open to working with us and specialist in providing the most productive environment for our son. We cannot be more happy with our experience at My Special School.

Miriam & Arthur Cislo

2018

Parent Testimonial: Shana Lauer

Dear Alice,

We both want to thank you for “My Special School”. We brought Amelia to your school when she was 2 years old, and the whole family couldn’t have been happier. It was a huge relief knowing she was in a caring, loving, learning environment. We were especially impressed by all the fun activities the kids were able to participate in – like yoga classes, dance, music and others. Sometimes I wished I could spend a peaceful day at My Special School! Amelia thrived in your school, made great friends and had years of wonderful experiences. We appreciated all the pictures and notes about her daily adventures and progress. We especially appreciated your advice and help when we had behavior issues at home. You were always able to talk to her (and us) and help us solve the problems that came up in a caring and effective way.

We also gravitated to your school because it is small and gave us a strong feeling of community. I was always happy to drop Amelia off on my way to work knowing she was in the best possible care. We even hired one of your alumni as a baby sitter and can only hope Amelia grows up to be as kind, fun, and responsible. You helped teach Amelia personal responsibility, care and consideration for animals, and to care for her friends and peers. And of course as Amelia has now moved on to TK and soon Kindergarten she completely surprised and impressed her teacher with her skills in her incoming assessments.

Thanks again Alice for your years of dedication, for sharing your time, your home and your love with our dear daughter.

With gratitude and love,

Lee, Shana, Amelia

AUGUST 2017

Parent Testimonial: Ben Halpern & Kim Selkoe


After nearly 8 years of knowing Alice and having her care for our two kids, our
youngest has graduated from My Special School, bringing an end to our excuse to
visit Alice each day. It is truly the end of an era for us, a moment marked with
sadness at the loss of the daily role Alice played in helping raise our children an
with joy and wonderment at the growth of our kids under her care. Our two children
were different in many ways, yet Alice seamlessly adapted and applied her loving,
thoughtful and insightful mentorship to each. Her influence will forever be felt in
our family, and Miss Alice will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of
our kids. Thank you Alice for everything you have done to support our family.


BEN HALPERN & KIM SELKOE

AUGUST 2016

Parent Testimonial: Jessica Plackis

Alice has a wonderful knowledge of children and their needs. She always has planned activities and field trips the children love.  Alice taught my children good boundaries and respect for others, and she communicates well with parents.

Thanks for all you do Alice! You gave my twin boys, now 16yrs old, a wonderful foundation for their Academic life. You have done so much for the boys and myself.

Thank you,

JESSICA PLACKIS

AUGUST 2014

Parent Testimonial: Erin Bonski & Matt Evans

When we came to My Special School, we were searching for a small and safe place for our daughter to play, grow and learn.  We were passionate about Montessori, and while we had looked around at other options, we just didn’t feel like anything was the right fit.  I still remember the day we walked into My Special School.  It was so warm and inviting.  Soft music was playing, the room was well-organized, and there was Alice, with a big smile on her face.  We took our shoes off, and after playing with Montessori games and talking with Alice, neither my daughter nor I wanted to leave.

In the two years our daughter was there, she learned so much about peace, community and cooperation, and she came home amazed at the world around her.  Alice has a special knack for cultivating compassion and respect, and she is attune to the needs and learning style of each child.  The specialists she brings in are unsurpassable in their keen ability to work with the preschoolers. From Drama and Music to Yoga and Qigong, from learning to coordinate large and fine motor skills to caring for animals and the earth, there really is no better name for such a wonderful little world of learning.

My Special School has it all, and we feel blessed to have had Alice in our lives.

ERIN BONSKI & MATT EVANS

AUGUST 2014

Student Testimonial: Emma Semonsen

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*Emma attends Santa Barbara Middle School and chose to work at My Special School during “Career Studies Week”. This is a letter I received from Emma after spending a full week with the kids and I.

Dear Alice,

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! Thank you so so much for letting me be a part of your Preschool and these kids’ lives! I loved them from the beginning and I am so looking forward to babysitting them in the future.

Your Preschool is amazing! I love the fact that you have animals for the kids to interact with and you teach them skills that they can use in their everyday lives no matter what age they are. You engage their brains and really make them think and solve problems on their own. When you were explaining the “behind the scenes/brains” it really got me thinking too. The way that you step back and let them figure things out on their own is amazing to watch.

Your inside knowledge on how their brains work and what ways each child will excel most is astonishing. When they each told me what they were working on it blew me away. It was amazing that with a little of your help they could realize what to improve on and how to do it. It changed my perspective on how their minds work and what they are thinking. I was amazed when Giulia told me my name and my age! Not only do they learn lifelong lessons but they learn at an early age that they don’t have to always rely on other people to get what they want.

You are truly amazing! I love you, your house (especially the smell), your animal companions, and being with all of you. No parent could ask for a better place to send their little loves to begin their learning experience. Your Preschool is a home away from home to them now and it will be for the rest of their lives (it definitely is for me).

I feel that I really learned how to run a Preschool, but I learned so much more! I love you, Sydney,Yenta, Leilani, Ty, the Dolphins and especially the kids! Again thank you so much for this wonderful experience!

Love always,

Emma Frances Semonsen~ 14 yrs.
November 2011

Teacher Testimonial: Indra Strong

“My Special School”, led by the skilled expert in the field — Miss Alice, has given the children, their parents and their teachers alike an opportunity to grow, learn and … BE: be kind, be caring, be polite, be resourceful, be patient, be loving, be responsible and be … yourself, and just be.

As a yoga teacher I found it comforting and encouraging to teach my classes in the environment of acceptance and kindness, yet filled with focus and responsibility.  On numerous occasions I noticed that the children at this pre-school were more focused and able to follow the instructions better that the ones in many other preschools, and even elementary schools  where I taught —  I do attribute this phenomenon to the skills and experience of Miss Alice, and the Montessori inspired environment for the kids.

I’ve had the honor to teach yoga to “My Special School” children for more than 6 years. And without sounding too stereotyped I want to admit that they (my little yogis and yoginis together with Miss Alice) have taught me a lot about myself and about yoga, too! I am thankful.

Keep spreading the love and peace! Namaste.

With gratitude,

Indra Strong, RYT
January 2014

Student Testimonial: Katie Nulty

photoDear Alice,

You are a good teacher and friend.  I am going to miss you a whole bunch!  I love you.

Katie Nulty – 5 yrs.
August 1991

Student Testimonial: Cassidy Davis

1425612_10152004775122356_425013694_n[1]For the world’s greatest Teacher,

Thank you Alice Tropper for such a great start in my life! I love you!

Cassidy Davis – 5yrs.
OCTOBER 1993