Born and raised in Bothell, Joy recently moved to the Snohomish area with her family. She has been married 23 years and is the mother of three children. For the past 19 years Joy has enjoyed working with children in various areas including operating her own in home daycare. As a public school volunteer, Joy served as room mother, classroom helper, art docent and a member of the PTA. Joy is actively involved in children’s ministry programs at Gold Creek Community Church. She is co leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and enjoys tole-painting, crafts, stamping, scrap-booking, reading and walking. Joy will work in our preschool program as a teaching assistant.

Sage will serve as lead kindergarten teacher for our third year of kindergarteners.  She has also served as Lead Pre-K teacher overseeing curriculum for our 4/5 program.  A native of Washington, she is married to Scott and has lived in Snohomish for 10 years. Sage earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Seattle University and recently renewed her 5 year teaching certificate.  She will be working on her professional certificate over the next two years as well.   She earned her Masters in Education degree and Teaching Certificate from Seattle University while teaching at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. After 10 years of teaching at Forest Ridge, Sage decided it was time to stay home with her three daughters. Sage volunteers at Totem Falls Elementary and coaches Tee-ball. Her hobbies include camping with her family, jewelry-making and various arts and crafts.

Joan is a native of Washington State growing up in Bellevue. She has also resided in Columbus, Ohio and Chicago, Ill. She has been married for 27 years and has two children. She attended Washington State University where she studied Forestry. She had been an Educational Assistant with the Snohomish School District before joining Kids at the Creek. In her spare time Joan enjoys skiing, gardening, reading and relaxing with her family.

Laurie was born in Seattle and grew up in Mountlake Terrace. She moved to Everett in 1987 and currently lives here with her husband and two children. She has a degree from Shoreline Community College and many years of experience working with young children. She owned her own day care/preschool business for 12 years and spent a year working with special needs children before joining us at our opening as a Lead Teacher in our Pre-K program. She works Monday/Wednesday/Friday full days. In her spare time Laurie enjoys many types of crafts, gardening and spending time with her family and friends.

Suzeann joins the Kids at the Creek Preschool as teaching assistant. She was raised in Washington and lives in the Mill Creek area where she has been a professional nanny for the past 8 years. Suzeann is currently attending Edmonds Community College where she is pursuing her Early Childhood Education Degree. Suzeann is also active in the children’s program at Gold Creek Community Church. Suzeann has 5 nieces and nephews that she thoroughly enjoys spending time with. In her spare time Suzeann enjoys scrapbooking, hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends & family.

Colleen Ferrari leads the 5 day pre-k program. She has been with Kids at the Creek since 2006 where she has taught preschool, pre-k and assisted with curriculum development. She was a preschool teacher for five years prior to KATC and volunteered at Cedar Wood Elementary, where her children attended, and has taught CCD at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She has lived in the Mill Creek/Snohomish area for over 20 years with her husband of 30 years, Tom and their two children, Sierra and Colton.  Colleen and her family have been members of Gold Creek Community Church since 2005.  She earned an Associates of Technical Arts in Early Childhood Education and an Early Childhood Certificate from Edmonds Community College. She earned her ATA while working at Kids at the Creek. She and her teaching assistant, Kris McCormick, are starting their 6^th year teaching together. Colleen spends time gardening, reading/studying, and enjoying life with her 2 dogs and her family.

April Heivilin earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Shoreline Community College and spent two additional years at SPU majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology. She has over 18 years experience in a variety of school districts, preschools and church settings. April and her husband have two elementary aged children at Forest View who love to spend time spoiling the family pets. The Heivilin family is very active in their local church. April also volunteers helping orphans in West Africa with True Vine Togo. In 2007 April and her daughter had great fun playing with and caring for orphans and village children. They also loved visiting the teenage boy they sponsor and are now looking forward to adopting him! April is the lead teacher in our Pre-K program.

Anne has worked as a teaching assistant in our preschool (3/4) program since 2008. Anne is a mother of two daughters and graduate of University of Washington. Her experience with children includes work at her daughter’s co-op preschool (6 yrs), classroom volunteer, 5 years as art docent at Cedarwood Elementary, preschool teacher at Gold Creek church, volunteer at PTA as Vice President, community action chair, book fair chair and was active in Girl Scouts. Anne’s interests include gardening, reading, cooking of all kinds, going to the gym, and she loves going to her children’s soccer games.

Anne-Marie joined our team in the Pre-K program. Anne-Marie was born and raised in Northern California and moved to the Seattle Area in 1987. She is married to Greg and has two teenage daughters. Anne-Marie  completed her Associates Degree at Edmonds Community College with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Relational Communication. Anne-Marie has worked as an assistant preschool teacher at a local preschool and also brings years of experience volunteering in her daughter’s classrooms, Girl Scouts, the local PTA and serving at Gold Creek Community Church. Anne-Marie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, exercising, baking, loves her women’s bible study and enjoys knitting.

Michelle joins the Kids at the Creek team in the Pre-K program. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, she decided to pursue a career in teaching and earned her Elementary Education teaching credentials from the University of Washington. Michelle taught fourth and fifth grade in the Bellevue School District for seven years before becoming a full-time mom. She and her husband Scott have two children. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, volunteering in her children’s classrooms, serving in the children’s programs at Gold Creek, attending Bible studies, reading, and working with children!

Sandra is a native of Washington and grew up in the Bellingham area. She and her husband Jerry have one child. Prior to joining Kids At The Creek, Sandra previously taught preschool for at a private Christian preschool. She is working toward her early childhood certificate through ACSI. She has also been actively involved in her church Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. Sandra enjoys reading, shopping, walking and visiting with friends. Sandra has been teaching in our Tuesday/Thursday preschool program since 2008.

Bev and her husband Paul moved to Washington in June of 2005 from Southern California following a job transfer with Boeing. Bev comes highly recommended from her previous employer where she spent the last 22 years as a full-time preschool teacher with Small World Preschool in Saugus, California. She has her AS in Child Development from College of the Canyons in addition to numerous continuing education classes in all phases of preschool education. Bev discovered Kids at the Creek while evaluating local preschools for her granddaughter who lives in the area. Bev admits she wasn’t ready to retire quite yet and she really missed her role working with young children. We are fortunate to have Bev join our Tuesday/Thursday team teaching our 3 & 4 year olds.

Born and raised in Renton, Kris made the Snohomish area her home 5 years ago.  She is the mother of four teenagers.  She is currently enrolled in Edmonds Community College earning her degree in Early Childhood Education.  Kris has always been an active leader in children’s programs as well PTA and classroom volunteer. Her previous experience includes AWANA leader and Director for preschool through early elementary, Sunday School teacher, and vacation Bible school teacher.  When she is not busy driving her kids around or watching them in their various school and sporting events, you can find her gardening, reading, stamping, having tea with friends, or “camping” and boating at the family cabin on Lake Wenatchee.  Kris is a teaching assistant in our Pre-K program.

Gloria joins the Kids at the Creek team as teaching assistant. Gloria is a Washington native and loves the beauty of the Northwest. She lives in Lynnwood with her husband of 23 years and three sons. Gloria’s experience includes three years with a local preschool and several years of volunteer work in her children’s classes. She volunteers in her church nursery, Vacation Bible School and Sunday school classes. Gloria’s hobbies include cooking, gardening, walking and watching her boys play sports. Most of all, she loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Renee joins the KATC team as lead teacher for our Tuesday/Thursday morning 3 year old program. She is a native of Washington and lives in Everett with her husband and their daughter. Renee earned her Early Childhood Education degree from Washington State University. She was an active volunteer during her daughter’s elementary school years, is currently an active member of her church and enjoys needle arts, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Laura Pawley grew up in Edmonds and has lived in Silver Firs since 1994. She is a graduate of Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She taught elementary school for 7 years before becoming a full-time mom, then joined Kids at the Creek in 2006 and discovered her passion in teaching preschoolers. Laura and her husband, Harley, and their children attend Gold Creek Community Church and actively serve in many areas including Children’s Ministry, small groups, and community events. As a family they enjoy camping, tropical vacations, and bike riding. Laura spends her time outside the classroom volunteering at her children’s schools, scrapbooking, gardening, and scuba diving with her husband (on those tropical vacations).

Cheri Peach joins the KATC Team for the 2011-12 school year as preschool teacher for our 3-4 program. She has a BS in Special Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Utah State University. Cheri taught preschool for nine years in Utah until she began a family. She moved to Washington eight years ago. For the past 4 years she has worked as an ESL teacher for preschool students along with teaching academics to Korean speaking students. She is married and has three children including two sons from Korea which attend or have attended Kids at the Creek.

Jeannie was born and raised in the Seattle area. She graduated with a BA  from Washington State University. She is  married to Jeff and has three wonderful children. Jeannie loves kids and has volunteered in many activities including Girl Scouts, coaching basketball, room parent, team mom, Sunday school teacher, pre-school assistant and parent helper.  Jeannie served 3 years as teaching assistant for Kids At the Creek Preschool and recently pioneered our Tiny 2’s program developing age appropriate curriculum as lead teacher.  Other preschool related experience includes three years  as Nursery Director for Gold Creek Community Church and teaching summer camp as well as writing curriculum. Jeannie enjoys family and friend time, watching her kids sporting events, reading and water sports.  Jeannie will again serve as lead teacher for our Tiny 2’s program and lead teacher for the preschool 3/4 program.

Dawn Shell has served as Administrative Assistant since the opening of the school.  She is married to Sid and they have two sons.  She wears many hats at KATC, working as an administrative assistant, substitute teacher and helping with valet. Dawn and her family have attended Gold Creek Community Church since 2000. She volunteers with Children’s Ministries and has led several women’s bible studies. In her spare time, she enjoys scrap booking, spending time on their boat, contributing to the success of Starbucks in Snohomish County, soaking in the tub and watching her beloved football! One of her goals each year is to know each and every student at KATC by name. She is well on her way!

Leslie joined KATC Preschool in the Fall of 2009. She has worked as an Assistant Teacher for the 5-day Pre-K program for the past two years.  Leslie brings many years of experience volunteering in the public school system with her two daughters.  She and her family have attended and volunteer at Gold Creek Community Church in many different capacities for the past 17 years.  She has been married to Dave for 28 years and has two daughters, one in her third year of College and one moving on to Middle School.  Leslie loves gardening, watching birds, painting and reading in her spare time.

Tanya is Co-Director of Kids at the Creek Preschool and brings many years of experience working with children. Over the past 25 years she has served children in a variety of private, community and church settings. Her experience includes preschool teacher, private and public tutoring, Sunday school and children’s outreach ministry. She also co-owned a building and development company for 15 years and worked as referring agent for a financial company. She is STARS certified and currently completing her Early Childhood Education and transfer degree. Tanya is passionate about matters of child development and equipping children and families for future success.

Joy McBride developed our first kindergarten class after many years of working in education and with children. Joy was an elementary school teacher and elementary science specialist for six years. She also served for several years as Children’s Ministry Pastor at Gold Creek Community Church. For the past year Joy has been preparing for our new kindergarten program, researching curriculum, attending specialty training clinics and substitute teaching for Snohomish School District. Joy brings unique experiences to our program including her role as part of a research project at the University of Washington, Joy was selected to teach advance math to highly capable pre-k and kindergarten age children. She continues to serve as a KATC Board Member and was part of the original leadership team which started Kids At The Creek.  Joy has served as a member of the site planning team at Totem Falls and has been an active parent volunteer for her own two children. Joy earned her elementary education teaching credential from the University of Washington.  She will continue to oversee the kindergarten program at KATC.

Liz Wynn is the founding director of Kids At the Creek Preschool. She has a passion for young families and the challenges of raising children in today’s culture. She earned her degree in management and human resources from Fresno Pacific University and continues to take courses in early childhood education. Liz uses her experience in management and business to recruit and coach top quality teachers for our dynamic preschool. Her previous experience includes working and volunteering in a variety of children’s programs in her community and church (YMCA, Boys/Girls Club, Nursery and Children’s Sunday School Teacher). Liz is an ordained minister with the Nazarene Denomination.