Staff

Our Well-Educated Faculty Keeps Learning

Every teacher at TLC Montessori has earned a Bachelor’s degree as well as Montessori Certification. In addition, they regularly complete continuing education courses and maintain current certifications in first-aid and CPR.

Administration

Kyungah Kim | Director
I had an opportunity to learn about the Montessori philosophy in depth while completing my MA in Early Childhood Education in 1998. Having worked with three other early childhood programs, I recognized the wisdom of the Montessori approach, which soon earned a very special place in my heart. The more I work with young children in the Montessori environment, the more I grow as an educator. My goal is to ensure that the faculty and staff of TLC work as a team to carry out our mission on behalf of our students and families.

Ms. Lynette | Office Manager
I have been working with children for more than 15 years, both as a Nanny and at another preschool as an Administrative Assistant.  I love the variety of work that a school environment offers.  Any job where can you hear children singing or laughing while you are working is a really great job!  My goal is to make your experience here at TLC, the best it can be.

Toddler

Ms. Lori
Toddlers bring so much excitement to the world.  I love the enthusiasm, curiosity, joy and love of learning we observe in our class.  As a teacher, my goal is to provide the sense of security and nurturing loving care that toddlers need to thrive during this sensitive learning period.  I believe that, “There is in the child a special kind of sensitivity which leads him to absorb everything about him, and it is this work of observing and absorbing that alone enables him to adapt himself to life.  He does it in virtue of an unconscious power that exists in childhood” (Maria Montessori).

Preschool Staff

Mr. Kim
Circle is a period in the day where children experience group lessons while learning to be a part of our classroom community. This leads to appropriate participation in all group activities, which is a learned and practiced skill. Everything from social skills, to language to empathy can be gained with practice in circle time. My goal when introducing lessons is to help each child reach their full potential and to let them know that learning is exciting. Each new lesson I introduce piques your child’s interest in the next level in each subject.

Ms. Sudha
My goal in teaching like a true Montessori teacher is to follow the child. I hope to create an interest for lifelong learning and curiosity through the Montessori environment and the use of Montessori materials. Our day starts with circle, which is an open discussion format with the children, as well as a time to introduce new lessons to the class. I strive to instill peace in the classroom as well as within the child, with the help of grace and courtesy, which is the base of all learning in a child. I hope to be a role model in the classroom and create a generation of responsible citizens.

Ms. Purnah
“The education of a small child therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.”  This, being my favorite quote from Dr. Maria Montessori, is my goal too.  I like to look at each child as a unique gift, not only to their parents but to the whole world itself.  Over the past few years, through the experiences and interactions with children, I have understood that their development is a result of both nature and nurture.  They should be allowed to grow in the most natural way, just the way nature has intended them to grow.  Teachers here, hence becomes the facilitator.  I would like to provide support to my students at every step, be there for them, and watch they grow into beautiful human beings.

Ms. Suma
As a Montessori teacher, my goal is to help the child to fulfill his/her potential in a prepared learning environment, which is safe, peaceful and nurturing. I believe in creating an environment in the classroom that will create a lifelong love for learning and the ability to express themselves as confident and unique individuals. Also the environment is prepared in every way for optimal development: physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally, which will liberate children’s energy for growth and learning. ” Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence. ” – Maria Montessori

Ms. Meghana
I love to see my young students immersed and fully engaged in the learning that our nurturing environment has to offer. My goal as a Montessori teacher is to instill that love of learning in my students and see them develop into respectful and responsible citizens. I believe that each child is unique and has an individual learning style. I would like to bring out the best in a child by teaching and providing learning opportunities that cater to the specific needs of that child.

Ms. Kathleen
I truly love spending time with the young children in our school and classrooms.  Even if there is the occasional tear when separating from their Mom or Dad, our students arrive bursting with good humor and life spirit. They show such an eagerness and excitement to learn. Each individual adds their own unique character to the class. As a teacher, I strive to guide, nurture and support this desire to learn. I present topics, concepts and materials for the child to absorb and they soak up the knowledge. “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” -Maria Montessori

Kindergarten-1st

Ms. Allison
Throughout my years working with children the most important knowledge I have acquired is how responsive children are when treated with respect. Children treated with respect are easily taught to respect the classroom, their work and peers. By creating a respectful, caring and safe classroom environment children are able to focus their energy to reach their highest potential. Through reaching this academic potential the child also gains self-awareness, self-esteem and a sense of independence.

Ms. Ann
As the Kindergarten -1 reading teacher, it is my goal to create an environment where students discover the joy of becoming independent readers while mastering the foundational skills necessary for future reading success. As a traditionally trained teacher, with a K-12 teaching certificate from the University of Washington, I appreciate and embrace the Montessori philosophy. Each week, I work with students, individually and/or in small groups. This allows me to carefully monitor their progress, individualize their instruction and adapt the curriculum to meet their particular learning style. Over the course of the year I use a variety of public school materials, such as Accelerated Reader and the Houghton-Mifflin Reading Program. This weekly instruction in reading is meant to supplement the Montessori language curriculum used in our classroom, giving our students the “best of both worlds!”

Specialty Teachers

Ms. Robyne
Hello, I am Robyne and I am the music teacher. I am a professional musician, dance instructor, and drama teacher with a degree in Musical Theatre from Cal. State Fullerton. I am delighted to be teaching music here at TLC. Singing and playing music with people of all ages is one of the greatest joys in my life. It’s one of my favorite ways to make connections on many levels. Sharing that joy with children, and watching them grow socially, emotionally and intellectually through music is an incredibly rewarding adventure for me. My goal here is to bring rewarding musical adventures to my students and hope that this nurtures a love for music that lasts throughout their lives. When I am away from TLC, you can find me working one-on-one with special needs kids and teens.

Ms. Vanessa
Hello, my name is Vanessa C. and I am the Spanish teacher.  I was born in Mexico and I have a degree in Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education.  I have been teaching children ages 12 months to 10 years of age for more than 20 years.  I am part of the “Fiestas de Alfabetizacion Temprana en Espanol”  (Early Literacy Parties in Spanish) with the King County Library System.  I also tutor kids in Spanish.  My passion is working with kids and I enjoy every moment with them: playing, singing, dancing and having fun!  I feel very proud of my students when I hear them speaking in Spanish, incorporating expression and sentences in their daily life.  During my free time, I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my family on trails and at parks.  I am very happy to be a part of TLC and I am sure we will all learn and have lots of fun together.