OUR STAFF

2024 Pateros Treehouse Staff

Gene Dowers, Center Director

Gene Dowers is the interim Center Director of Pateros Treehouse. He is the former Executive Director of Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center. He moved to the Pateros area with his wife, Carlene, a Pateros native, in 1993. They raised their two children Jessi and Danny as part of their family home daycare started in 1997. A graduate of Washington State University in Physical Education, he coached college rowing both at WSU and Gonzaga University and became the head volleyball coach at Pateros High School, serving 23 years. Gene started Confluence Volleyball Club in 2004 and is still active as club director, coach and referee. He has been dedicated to community service in many facets over the years and feels strongly in supporting early learning and families.

Maria Rodriguez, Lead Preschool Teacher and Childcare Provider

Maria became a licensed childcare provider with DCYF (Department of Child, Youth and Families) in December 2017 and began working for Activity Based Child Care (ABC Preschool & Daycare). Her role has been lead preschool teacher and primary childcare provider ever since.

Maria, a Brewster native, graduated from Brewster High School and in 2005 married her husband, Hilario Vicente. “I have lived here my whole life. It is a great place to live, so calm and safe.” Their three children Estrella, Dulce and Hilario attend school in Pateros. Maria’s passions are cooking, photography and taking care of children. She has been instrumental in transitioning students and staff to the new Pateros Treehouse and is a founding employee of the Pateros Treehouse Early Education Organization.

Curriculum Philosophy

Treehouse uses Creative Curriculum lessons and assessments based on individual readiness. This will include introduction to concepts such as basic number sense and basic reading skills; shapes, letters, and color identification; and fine motor skills. Our learning will be focusing on the child making personal growth rather than meeting specific learning standards.

Children will be taught the social skills required for school such as playing with peers, sharing, making friends, and conflict resolution. They will also be taught the lifelong emotional skills needed to be happy and healthy individuals, especially focusing on identifying and managing emotions.