Virginia Roof 

E-mail: vroof@cuesta.edu

Preferred communication: Canvas Inbox

What students call me: Most students call me Virginia (like the state) or Ms. Roof, pick your preference!  My pronouns are she/her/hers.

Basics: I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and I think I may always be a city girl at heart. My husband and I met in Berkeley, CA in 1993 and found the Central Coast of CA when he took an engineering job at Diablo Canyon 20 years ago. We fell in love with the natural beauty of the area and we've made a life and home here with our three children, two cats, and my boys' pet ball python and tarantula.

Education: I earned my B.A. from U.C. Berkeley (1996) and M.Ed. (Early Childhood Education, emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001).  I currently hold a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (K – 6) and am also a certified PITC (Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers) Trainer and a graduate of the Special Quest Project (to support inclusion of infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families). 

On Mothering: I believe that mothering children can take many forms - birthing, teaching, caring, coaching, adopting, fostering, auntying. In my life, I am the proud mom of three children: Rowan (16 years old) and fraternal boy/girl twins, Ben & Kylie (13 years old).  For many years, I practically had my own ECE child development lab at home. Seeing child development before my eyes 24/7 was quite the experience! Now that my children are in middle school and high school, I'm moving into a new and exciting phase of my parenting journey. Becoming a mother has informed my teaching practices in so many ways.

Call to Teaching: I first discovered teaching when my baby brother was born and I would set up a home classroom for him in our family's basement. I've had many roles in teaching since those early days: Substitute Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Kindergarten Teacher, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, and Disabilities Specialist with the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Seeing young children make new connections about their world and the way it works is the most amazing reward of the teaching profession. I have had the privilege of teaching in the Early Childhood Education Dept. at Cuesta for the last 17 years. As an instructor, I am a passionate advocate for inclusion and social justice.  I believe that all children have a place not only in our schools, but also in our communities and in our hearts. 

Values in our Classroom: It is important to me that our classroom space is welcoming and that you have everything you need to succeed. I am here to support you! You belong here. You are valued.

What I do for fun & relaxation: I love reading, dancing with my Zumba class, and spending time (especially outdoors!) with my family. My elderly parents retired and moved to the Central Coast to be with us when my oldest son was born, so they are often a part of our family time. On the weekend, I like to hike, take walks on the beach, and spend time outside at home on my deck.

My family: Nathan, Virginia, Rowan, Kylie & Ben

My Communication Plan: I enjoy working with my students, and want you to know your success is paramount to me. An open channel of communication contributes to that success, so here is my promise to you:

• I will answer all Canvas Inbox messages and email received Monday through Friday within 24 hours, and any emails received on weekends first thing Monday morning, if not sooner. 

• If you have questions about course material, please post your question in the Student Discussion Forum so that other students can benefit from your question or my answer.  

• I will create weekly announcements and post them in Canvas to keep you up-to-date on the course.

• I will foster an atmosphere of respect, trust, and collegiality.