Welcome to the Hopkins Early Learning Center!

 My name is Candis Gates.  I am from Ferndale, Washington. I moved to Aberdeen in 1988 to start my teaching career and never left. I am married and have a son attending Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. My educational background includes a BA in Special Education and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education.

 This is my 4th year returning to the classroom after 7 years of working in two different job assignments; the first few years as a Family Support Specialist and the last 4 years as the Preschool Evaluation Coordinator. Prior to this, I was a Preschool Teacher at A.J. West for 24 years teaching 4 and 5-year-olds!

 This year I will be teaching 4 and 5-year-olds in my afternoon class. Most of them are returning students from last year! I am so excited to be able to spend time with them and their families for another adventurous year. The morning class will be 3-4 year-olds.