Teacher Colleen Murphy

Meet Our Teacher

Rooted in childhood education since 1988

Colleen Murphy received her degree in Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology at Chico State University in 1988 — and has been continuously involved with children and families ever since.

With experience spanning head teaching, teacher mentorship, conference workshops, parent support groups, and three different parent-participation preschools, she brings a rare depth of knowledge to Soquel PENS.

B.A. Childhood Education

Minor in Psychology

Chico State, 1988

Certified Positive Discipline Educator

Certified Positive Discipline Trainer

Teaching Philosophy

Positive Discipline — love and respect in balance

A guiding influence has been the parenting program Positive Discipline, based on very solid, healthy psychological practices and on the latest brain research.

Positive Discipline promotes love and respect of children as developing humans, equally balanced with the love and respect of the parent who needs to set appropriate boundaries — so they are not over-extending themselves or being too permissive.

Our teacher is a Certified Positive Discipline Educator and Trainer in this international program — bringing structured, research-backed parenting guidance directly into our weekly parent education seminars.

Children are developing humans deserving of genuine love and deep respect — not rewards and punishments, but connection and understanding.

Positive Discipline is grounded in the latest neuroscience and developmental psychology, not just tradition or intuition.

Healthy boundaries aren't about control — they're about parents not over-extending themselves, while giving children the structure they need to thrive.

Experience & Background

A career built on community and children

Decades of hands-on experience across every dimension of early childhood education — from the classroom floor to conference keynotes.

Served as head teacher at a local, high-quality preschool — building curriculum, guiding families, and shaping classroom culture from the ground up.

Has taught at three different parent participation preschools, developing deep expertise in the cooperative model and family engagement.

Mentored student teachers from Cabrillo College, helping shape the next generation of early childhood educators in Santa Cruz County.

Taught workshops at state and local teachers' conferences, sharing expertise in Positive Discipline and cooperative preschool methods.

Facilitated support and play groups for parents of toddlers here in Santa Cruz — building community connection alongside practical parenting skills.

Certified Positive Discipline Educator and Trainer in this international program — instructing classes, workshops, and trainings throughout the region.

Key Influences

The frameworks that guide our classroom

Two complementary philosophies shape everything that happens in the Soquel PENS classroom and parent seminar — and everything we teach families to carry home.

Based on Adlerian psychology, Positive Discipline teaches children to become responsible, respectful, and resourceful members of their communities — not through rewards and punishment, but through connection, encouragement, and logical consequences. Our teacher is certified as both a Positive Discipline Educator and Trainer.

Hand In Hand Parenting, developed by Patty Wipfler, focuses on the deep listening and emotional connection between parent and child. It recognizes that children's "off-track" behavior is driven by emotional upset — and that a parent's warm, present attention is one of the most powerful tools for helping children thrive.

Parent Education Seminars

Learning together after every class

Every class day ends with a 30-minute parent education seminar led by our teacher. These sessions are one of the most valued parts of the Soquel PENS experience — giving parents practical tools, space for honest conversation, and a community of people facing the same joys and challenges.

Topics are drawn from Positive Discipline, Hand In Hand Parenting, child development research, and the real situations that come up in our families every week.

Additionally, our teacher organizes Fun, Inspirational Education (FIE) Nights — evening events open to you and other adult caregivers, featuring amazing guest speakers such as Julie Olsen Edwards and Janis Keyser.

Understanding developmental stages — what's normal, what's a phase, and how to respond.

Positive Discipline tools and strategies for real situations at home and at school.

Hand In Hand listening tools: Special Time, Staylistening, Playlistening, and more.

How to set kind, firm boundaries without threats, rewards, or shame.

Why children have meltdowns and what our responses teach them about emotions.

Building independence, resilience, and a sense of contribution from an early age.