Michele attended Western Washington University where she acquired a BA in Interdisciplinary Child Development with a minor in Psychology as well as her teaching certification.

Michele has taught at Sunnybeam since 2014. Additionally she has taught age groups varying from Pre-K through 2nd grade for over 20 years. Upon first visiting Sunnybeam and seeing the beauty in the space, the warmth of the families, the community of the teachers and the passion in the children she was delighted to have found her new home. 

Jessica is a Midwest native with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from DePauw University. After relocating to Seattle and teaching 5 years at Childhaven, Jessica returned to school at the University of Washington for a master's degree in Social Work. Following her master's degree, she spent two years working as a child and family therapist. 

Jessica loves the joy and creativity of a preschool classroom. She enjoys watching children express themselves and grow through art, building, and imaginative play. 

Jessica is also a former Sunnybeam board member and mom to two very active boys. In her free time, she enjoys baking, painting, gardening, and travelling. 

David studied Geology at the University of Washington. 

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He has taught at Sunnybeam since 2001. His compassion and love for children is well known in the Sunnybeam community.  

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David recognizes what a special time preschool is in a child's life and enjoys seeing and fostering new challenges and discoveries for them each day. He loves sharing in their accomplishments and helping them problem solve and experience successes on their own.

Jen has been with Sunnybeam since 2018 and will continue to be involved as our amazing guest teacher, filling in when needed.

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Jen lives on Mercer Island where she and husband have raised their three boys (one still in High School). She grew up in Minnesota and studied geography and international relations at the University of Minnesota. Jen loves reading, hiking with my pup, cooking and experimenting with all types of art mediums. 

Laura moved to Mercer Island ten years ago from Australia and has come to enjoy everything the PNW has to offer. She and her husband have three children. Her oldest son has moved to Sydney where he recently started his graduate job. Her second child is doing his third year at university in Melbourne and her youngest is a junior at MIHS

Laura has always worked in education. She worked at Emmanuel Day School for four years. She loves working with young children and watching them develop in all areas of social, emotional and academic growth over the course of the school year. 

In her spare time, Laura loves to play tennis, ski, travel and her new found love is pickleball.

Liz joined Sunnybeam in a new position as Director in 2016. 

Liz's three children all went through Sunnybeam and she was on the Board for four years as Registrar, Vice President and President. Sunnybeam is much a part of her life and she loves being in the schoolhouse. She graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in English & Art History and from University of Washington with an MBA.  

She loves visiting the classroom to see all the wonderful Sunnybeam students and their families. 

Tish attended Washington State University where she acquired a BS in Psychology. She is thrilled to join the Sunnybeam community, where she can combine her passion for nurturing young minds with a decade of hands-on experience caring for children. Over the past 10 years she has had the privilege of caring for children from several wonderful families on Mercer Island. These experiences have taught her so much about the joys of working with young children. At Sunnybeam she will be dedicated to helping children discover their unique strengths and develop a love of learning, all while fostering kindness and creativity. 

When not in the classroom you will find her on the tennis courts, catching up with friends, or out walking with her dogs.