2024-2025 registration is open! Our Caterpillar class is full,
but we have space in our Butterfly (4's) class!
Sunny Day Camp Registration is open!
Our Staff
Michele Saunders
Lead Teacher
2018 MIPA Exceptional Educator
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.
David Weston
Lead Science Room Teacher
2012 MIPA Exceptional Educator
David studied Geology at the University of Washington.
He has taught at Sunnybeam since 2001. His compassion and love for children is well known in the Sunnybeam community.
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 Alam
Teacher
Jen started as Sunnybeam teacher in 2018 and after a brief time away and is excited to be back working with both the Butterfly and Caterpillar classes!
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.
Jen believes the Sunnybeam community is special and looks forward to reconnecting and/or meeting all the families!
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Laura Tomaselli
Teacher
Laura moved to Mercer Island nine 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 second year at university in Melbourne and her youngest is a sophomore at MIHS
Laura has always worked in education. She worked at Emmanuel Day School for the last 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.
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Jessica Moch
Enrichment Teacher
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.
Julie Fontenot
Special Guest Teacher
Julie has called the Pacific Northwest home for the past 15 years. She is a dedicated mother of two grown children and has been happily married for 29 years.
Julie earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Woman’s University. Her favorite class was Children's Literature, reflecting her love for introducing young minds to the magic and wonder of books. She finds fulfillment in watching her students develop social, emotional and academic skills through play.
Julie fills her spare time reading, traveling and discovering hidden treasures while antique shopping.
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Liz Carson
Director
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.
President: Taylor Beeninga
Secretary: Whitney Farsai
Treasurer: Carolyn Robbs Bilanko
Communications: Lyndsey Gillis
Special Events, Caterpillars: Emily Vavrichek
Special Events, Butterflies: Katrina Spaunhurst
Fundraising: Courtney Anders & Kaylee Prior
Capital Improvements: Bryn Morse
Co-Grounds/Building Maintenance: Emily Kroshus
Registrars: OPEN
Webmaster: Lili Barbour
Board Member at Large: Samantha Noonan
Please contact the President if you are interested in a volunteer or board position.
Parent Board
A volunteer Parent Board of Directors help run Sunnybeam in conjunction with the Director. The Board's purpose is to hire the teachers and oversee the operation of the school while preserving the building in its historic state. Fundraising activities and continued community involvement provide the financial and moral support for this ongoing effort.
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