Dedicated & Nurturing

UTCS Staff

Our teachers, staff, and interns are uniquely special and totally committed to our students.

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Dedicated

UTCS teachers, staff, and interns are education professionals, independently accredited and dedicated to on-going professional development training.

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Nurturing

UTCS teachers, staff, and interns are passionate about early childhood development and committed to nurturing each and every child in their care. They love kids and get joy from helping them grow up smart, strong, and caring.

Our Teachers & Staff

Shalla Sayed
Executive Director

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Bio coming soon

Eleanor Williams
Outreach Coordinator

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Eleanor is the Outreach Coordinator VISTA. She is working on anti-bias curriculum at UTCS, outreach in the community, and funding for the school. Eleanor is from Portland, Oregon, went to college in Massachusetts, and taught English in western France for a year. Since moving back to the Northwest, she has enjoyed hiking, yoga, running, as well as being closer to her family.

Logan Jones
Bumblebees Teacher

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Bio coming soon.

Harrie Lewis
Assistant Teacher

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Bio coming soon.

Masha Miller
Bears Co-Teacher

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Hope Scafaria
Assistant Teacher

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Jayde Brown
Bears Co-Teacher

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Jessica Flores
Owls Co-Teacher

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Bio coming soon.

Kayla Gonzaga
Floater

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Bio coming soon.

Lee LaCroix
Owls Co-Teacher

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Moving from New Hampshire to Seattle, I have spent nearly two-thirds of my life living in this city. During that time I have graduated from The Evergreen State College with a degree in Sustainable Agriculture, raised three amazing children with my husband Steve, co-owned a bakery for 20 years and finally jumped into the ECE profession. Before landing at UTCS, where I have taught for 13 years, I worked for three years as an infant and toddler teacher at another Seattle preschool. I have been privileged to partner with a dedicated and talented group of teachers while working in the toddler room at UTCS. I genuinely love working with toddlers! They are amazing and teach me just as much as I teach them. Witnessing and participating in their development is exciting and inspirational. Every day brings new challenges and wonders and an opportunity for professional growth and self-reflection. I draw on the RIE philosophy in my work with toddlers. It is a philosophy which cultivates a relationship of respect and trust. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and outdoor adventures, and strive to integrate these interests into our classroom curriculum. I also like to read, ride my bike, dance, and take long walks with my grand dog Maya. But most of all I love playing with my totally delightful family, including my eight-month old granddaughter

Tayonna Scott
Orcas Co-Teacher

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Meg Thomas
Orcas Co-Teacher

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Bio coming soon.

Holly Vander Hyde
Administrative Assistant

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Edie Ventrella
Assistant Teacher

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Our Interns

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Where good beginnings never end...

Preschool kids pretending to cook something in class