Chris Pancoast graduated class if 2000 from SRV went on to Diablo Valley College to study Early Childhood Education. If you knew him/me you’d remember I spent most of my time during high school helping out in the on campus preschool whenever I could. It’s where I found my interest for working with youth and helping others. After DVC and earning 4 AA degrees in Early Childhood, Special Education, and Psychology, he went on to earning a BA and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University. While working on the side. He started working for the school district in 2013 in Child Nutrition, as a Para Educator and now as a Campus Monitor at San Ramon Valley High.

Chris started becoming an advocate for play in Early Childhood and in life writing books, doing collaborations, and presenting at workshops sharing my experiences and the importance of play. His books include: Animal Tales ABCs which is a beloved story of a boy named Charlie whose imaginary stuffed alien comes to life and takes him on an around the world. Journey learning all about animal conservation and endangered species while teaching kids about the A-Z alphabet, science, and history.

Why Play? Learning Through Play is my adult level research book teaching about why play is so important and has purpose, the types of play, the theorists of play, play histories, how to engage children in play, how play benefits children who have special needs and much more. This easy to read chapter book is geared towards parents and educators.

Then coming soon will be a full 100 page coloring and activity book that compliments Animal Tales ABCs and a reworked, updated version of the research book called, Why Play? We Play We Learn. In the works is another surprise.

Play is no easy topic. Play is a universal theme and it is through play the human being develops. Everyone plays. It’s through growing that the type of play you participate in evolves. Children build a foundation for their life long growth and development through play (I.e. getting dirty, being creative, physically active and using their imagination). It is through play children gain brain development, verbal skills, create relationships, gain self competence, problem solve and more.

Once Chris started Sonoma State University, he joined the SCTA where he was the Chapter President which lead to being elected as a Northern Regional Vice President and a State Council Representative as well as a NEA member on the Advocacy Committee board. In all of these positions he met educationally-based contacts, planned events and fundraisers, planned and hosted conferences and teamed up with many thousands of other educators from around the world to help rebuild schools that were run down by crime and natural disasters. Many rewarding experiences. Having had been part of such a great organization was so meaningful and only helped shape the person who he is today.

Today, Chris lives in the SF Bay Area with his wife Kiki, daughter Ariel and their dog, Rosie. He works at SRV as a Campus Monitor on the Security Team. Life is good.