Our Teachers
Donna Schwartze has been the Director/Teacher at ICNS since 1986. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut. After a wide variety of jobs and trial occupations, she discovered preschool and has been happily working with the children and families at ICNS ever since. In addition to directing and teaching at ICNS, Ms. Donna is an instructor at Irvine Valley College in the Human Development Department. She is also a mentor teacher for practicum students studying to be teachers.
Ms. Donna has been married to her husband, Mike, since 1973. They have three adult children from whom she has learned patience, humility, and strength. She is passionate about letting her preschool students have fun while learning and hopes to provide each child the skills and experiences needed to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens of the world. Besides the joy of working with the children, Ms. Donna feels very fortunate for the opportunity to work with the parents and families in the classroom who have greatly enriched her life.
Tanya Sutkowi has been with ICNS since 1994. She started as the teacher assistant in the extended day class and has since earned her ECE certificate from Irvine Valley College. Ms. Tanya has had many job titles at ICNS, but she has always been Ms. Donna’s right-hand woman through her support of the school philosophy, her knowledge of child development, and her working knowledge of all things ICNS. Her sweet nature makes her a favorite of all the children. Ms. Tanya and her husband have two adult daughters.
Patty Nowicki joined ICNS in 2010 as the Pre-K teacher. She has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education from Michigan State University.
Mrs. Nowicki, her husband of 22 years, and her two children live in San Juan Capistrano. Mrs. Nowicki has experience teaching kindergarten and preschool. She loves to watch parents and children working and learning together in the co-op environment.Mrs. Nowicki is passionate about providing experiences for kids that engage all of their senses.
Bushra Rashid, who has been teaching at ICNS since 2009, received her Early Childhood Education certificate from Irvine Valley College and plans to complete her bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Bushra and her husband have three children, two of whom are ICNS graduates.
Ms. Bushra enjoys teaching little ones and engaging parents in classroom activities. She uses music and movement to bring creative fun to the Parent & Me class.
Six of the teachers' children are alumni of ICNS!