We sat down for a candid interview with Santa Monica preschool director, Jen Shpall. She is a seasoned figure in early education, and shares insights into her 13-year journey blending traditional and emergent approaches to help shape the minds of the young learners here at Piper. Her smile is infectious and her pauses before speaking lend volumes about her thoughtfulness and ability to convey her opinions. She’s opened schools, run schools, and worked her way up the preschool ladder to become our flagship director in Santa Monica. As an LA native, Jen has great insight into Piper’s local community, area schools, and the best places in town for a scoop of mint chip ice cream.

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Jen, your career in early education spans 13 years, encompassing both traditional and emergent approaches. Can you walk us through your journey, from your roots to your current role as director here at Piper?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. A true unicorn around these parts. I attended the Center for Early Education and later, Beverly Hills High School. I have a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh, one of the best teacher preparatory schools in the country. After graduating there, I chose to return home to LA to begin my teaching career. And just a few short years later, I made the jump into administration.

After a few years here, I was approached to open new preschools in New York. I thought the challenge of creating a school from the ground up, reputation and all, sounded exciting so I packed up my life and moved to Brooklyn. We opened our doors in September of 2019 and then, the world changed...

During the pandemic, I felt a strong pull to return home to LA with my friends and family. From my background in traditional education and then my move to more emergent schools, I have really seen it all when it comes to philosophies. That’s why, when I learned about Piper’s approach to a blended philosophy, I knew I was home. The balance of emergent to traditional kindergarten prep makes for the perfect progression to ensure we are meeting every child’s needs.

Community involvement seems to be central in your approach here. Tell us more about the role of parent committees and the process of placing kids in kindergarten beyond their years at Piper?

Community is the heartbeat of our preschool. That path was laid many years before I ever got here, but it was one of the biggest things that drew me to Piper. We have an entire room dedicated to parents just hanging out. Some work, some play, some read, and some even Zoom. Parent committees are actively engaged in shaping our environment, our events, and our school. I can’t express how important that is to our vibe here. That said, one of the things I’m most proud of is our kindergarten placements. The kindergarten process in Los Angeles can be at best hard to navigate and at worst extremely overwhelming. My goal is to partner with the parents for the entire journey… from choosing schools that are the right fit for the child, to the big moment of decision day and everything in between. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon… and we’re here for every step.

I’ve heard about Tuesday Teacher Lunches. How do you maintain that idea of honoring the staff here?

Our teachers are the soul of our school. Parents bring lunch every Tuesday, but they also have been known to go further. Parents have donated masseurs, coffee carts, and we even brought in a surprise Margarita bar one time… not during school hours of course (she flashes that infectious smile). All of these are a celebration of their dedication to Piper. We want to create a space here where appreciation goes beyond words. There are literally no words that encompass their impact on our students and families.

Can you speak about the outdoor space? I’ve seen many preschools and nothing really compares. It’s truly something special. How did that come about? What’s the thought behind everything?

You’d have to know about this building to really get how special our playground is. It was a parking lot before. Our founders, Crystal and Jesse, really maximized the space by sticking a creek in the middle of everything. And everyone knows how much kids love playing and dancing in water. But, our outdoor space is more than a playground… it's a canvas for curiosity. They really wanted every corner to inspire exploration… whether it's digging in the wet sand box, nurturing plants in the garden, painting in the art studio, or building in the woodshop. You’re right. Nothing really compares that I’ve seen and I love making sure we stay on track with the intentions they set out.

Looking ahead, you mentioned community and kindergarten placements. Can you share your vision for the future and how the emergent philosophy plays a role?

Our future is woven with threads of community engagement and placing kids on the path to kindergarten. That will always be the heart of what we do here. That said, I’m always looking for ways to share Piper in new ways. I’ve been wanting to start a teacher intern program… like a teaching hospital. I want new teachers here so they can experience Piper as their first school. It’ll be hard to work anywhere else for them, but seeing how much we’ve thought about this space is important to me, and ultimately very important for them. We are here to help them meet their potential as teachers, so they can help the children realize their potential as learners. The process of educating a child is not just about preparing kids academically, but it is truly about nurturing that love for learning that they will carry with them long after they leave Piper. And that is the focus of our emergent philosophy. Creating exciting and vibrant learning opportunities that play off the children’s intrinsic interests. It’s a beautiful thing. Everyday and every year is different.

Beyond the classroom, Piper extends the learning journey with collaborations, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes. How do these initiatives contribute to the educational experience at Piper? 

Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. Collaborations with outside companies like Wild Child, summer camps, and enrichment classes ensure that this little flame of curiosity keeps burning. It's about providing diverse avenues for growth and exploration. The beauty of Piper is its appetite for innovation. The goal is never to be stagnant, as the world of education continues to evolve, Piper is always at the forefront of implementing the best and brightest ideas. That’s what makes it so exciting to work here and ultimately, send your child here.

In a city where education is paramount, you seem to be orchestrating a symphony of learning, laughter, and limitless potential. How do you see the role of a preschool director in shaping the dreams and possibilities for young minds?

Oh wow. Great question (takes one of her extended pauses and looks just past me deep in thought). My role is quite complex and truly multifaceted… but luckily, multi-tasking is my jam. This role is about embracing challenges as opportunities and always being flexible along the way. It's about creating an environment where curiosity is celebrated, dreams take root, and each child's unique potential is nurtured. A preschool director should be a guide, a curator of possibilities, and a champion of lifelong learning… for the children and all the staff around me. We can’t stop growing. I won’t.

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As we make the rounds at the Piper campuses, one thing has remained increasingly evident… the director’s dedication to early education, the community that surrounds them, and their drive to be malleable in the most important ways. All this seems to only be matched by their love for life's simple joys. Jen is no different. Beyond the vibrant world of education, Jen tells us she unwinds by painting, reading, and/or treating herself with a few sips from her “epic” bourbon collection. She savors the moments of laughter during dinners with friends, or maybe volunteering for the Greyhound Rescue on the weekends. Her family is in town and holds a special place in her heart, grounding her in the midst of all the westside craziness. I also got to meet the newest member of her family, Tallulah, a 14 week old Maltipoo… and she fell asleep in my arms. In this balance of passion, community, and the embrace of life's pleasures, Jen Shpall continues to shape not only the minds of tomorrow but also the memories we all make here at Piper.

As our conversation was winding down, the phone rang. We were the last two in the building, so she was now on phone duty. “Piper Preschool,” she answered with a smile. Looking at me, she mouthed, “Sorry.” For that moment, I got to see her charm in action with a new family calling about enrollment. As I packed up my things, she stayed focused on the task at hand explaining how enrollment worked and booking their tour. I waved a silent goodbye as I snuck out quietly. She smiled that smile and waved. She then held her hand over the phone and said, “Oh, I make a bad ass charcuterie board, too. Put that in there.”