Jolie McRae
Director / Teacher

Jolie has been a member of the cooperative since 2004, and loves MCPC and the parent cooperative model. She oversees and directs all activities at MCPC, including our Preschool, Extended Day, Spanish and Toddler programs. Additionally, she helps ensure that parents understand and act in accordance with our school's philosophy and teaching style, and is at the school Monday through Friday. She lives in Oakland with her wife. Their two children are both young adults who fondly remember their MCPC preschool days.

Jolie has an undergraduate degree in dance and social science from UC Berkeley, and a graduate degree from Holy Names University. She completed her coursework in Early Childhood Education and Preschool Administration at Merritt College and Saddleback College.

Jamie Barret Riley
preschool Teacher

Jamie joined the MCPC teaching staff in 2013 and teaches in the Preschool program. In the past, Jamie has also taught in Extended Day and Bridge K (MCPC’s version of TK).  Prior to MCPC, Jamie ran several small businesses including an arts and environmental-educational summer camp and a very small neighborhood preschool co-op. She has an undergraduate degree in the social sciences from Bard College, and completed her Early Childhood Education coursework at Merritt College.  

Jamie grew up in a small community, has always attended small schools, and is most comfortable in the glorious mess of cooperative/communal ventures. In her off time she is a visual artist and maker of rituals. She likes to incorporate art, collaborative storytelling and materials from nature in her work with children. She lives in the forest with her partner and young daughter. 

Nick Ventresco
Preschool, Extended Day & 
Toddler playtime Teacher

Nick joined the MCPC teaching staff in 2013 and teaches full-time in the Preschool program and Extended Day, and all weekday Toddler Playtime classes. Nick is a father of three children and has participated as a family at MCPC.

Nick has attended classes at Merritt College, and continues his Early Childhood Education. In his spare time, Nick enjoys music as a hobby.

simone greenberg
Extended Day Teacher

Simone Greenberg is a current parent at MCPC and joined the MCPC staff in 2023 after parenting two other children through the preschool. She, along with others,  facilitates our Extended Day program for our enrolled Owl and Bobcat students. Simone has a BA in International Development from UC Berkeley and is completing her Early Childhood coursework at Merritt College. When she isn't teaching, learning or parenting, she loves listening to audiobooks and yarnwork. She and her husband and live in Oakland and enjoy being active and eating delicious food.