Meet Deb Gedenberg of Dream Makers in Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deb Gedenberg.

Deb, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Working full time at an elementary school, in the kindergarten enrichment program, I recognized the different preschool backgrounds the kindergarteners brought to the classroom. This intrigued me. I decided to return to college (at age 50) to study the three preschool philosophies that were familiar; Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia methods. Being drawn specifically to a play based, community stimulated, communicative, joyful classroom, the Reggio Emilia philosophy grabbed my attention. I completed my studies in one year while working full time and raising three children. Deciding to open a preschool, I set out to look for a location that would enhance learning and attract families and teachers who loved exploring the outdoors, took pride in children’s accomplishments, and believed the children’s interests could become our curriculum. A tiny magical cottage, hugging the banks of the glorious Boulder Creek, is where we landed and have stayed for 19 years. We enroll 15 children a day, with three, sometimes four teachers. Our hours are short, 9am-1pm, the perfect school day for two to five year old. Our weekly curriculum includes expressive dance, music and lunch with our “Grandfriends”, tennis, stem science, and cooking. Our teachers are dedicated. Our families and staff are connected through the love and wonder of our children.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Returning to college at age 50 brought its challenges. Online classes were just beginning to be popular, but for me, difficult. I needed to be in a classroom learning. With each early education course, I took, I was the oldest in the class. I completed my courses within one year (56 credits) while raising my children and working full time. I studied late at night and early in the mornings. I achieved a 4.0 average! Our cottage is owned by a large corporation, and we have been asked to leave, flooded, our rent tripled, and now a pandemic. We survived it all, remain open and determined to keep going for many years. My daughter, Crissy, and I are a team now, and have been for the past 12 years. In my retirement, Crissy will step comfortably into my shoes.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Mother-daughter teams in business are rare, and I am especially proud to say I have been the luckiest mom in the world to have my daughter by my side to help make decisions, plan curriculum, and happily take the reigns when I need her to. Our school is known as “the happiest preschool in Boulder”. The children who move on to kindergarten, return for years to come. One of our special needs students has been attending for over five years. She entered our school at age 4, not very different in abilities from the other children. We watched her little body lose the ability to see, walk, speak, and eat. She has batten disease, but the sound of the children’s voices and the stories and songs our teachers read and sing, provide so much joy to her. She has brought all of us so much love and wisdom with just her smile.

Our teachers stay on for years, praising our loving environment. Children have the choice to play indoors or out, with the sound of the creek in their ears while they paint at an easel, or serve “dirt soup” from the playhouse. Our rock climbing structure was built by our family, using displaced rocks from the Boulder flood, with the help of some of the children who have left Dream Makers and are now in high school. We encourage families to participate in our day. Our close intergenerational relationship with our “Grandfriends” at the Carillon across the parking lot, has enhanced the lives of both the children and the elders. The tennis courts are adjacent to our school and the pros provide a stimulating; fun filled lesson to the children. The creek, running 10″ from our playground, provides an array of wildlife, tubers, and flora of immense beauty.

What were you like growing up?
My childhood was a happy one. Born and raised in Brooklyn, then Long Island, to two Italian parents, I was raised with delicious food, loving guidance, and so many families get togethers. I took pride in my accomplishments. I spent ten years as a flight attendant for an international airline, and that is how I met my husband of 40 years. While raising my children, with the encouragement of friends and family, I began to share my parenting expertise. I love all children, and strive to make each one feel included, loved and adored.

Contact Info:

• Address: Physical address: 1345 28th St. Boulder, CO 80302
• Website: www.dreammakerspreschool.com
• Phone: 720-274-0101
• Email: gedenbed@comcast.net
• Facebook: Dream Makers Preschool

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