OUR STAFF IS AWESOME, FUN & GIFTED!

ABOUT OUR STAFF

 
Our staff consists of a Director, an Assistant Director, and 8 amazing teachers.  This is a very experienced group of people who have dedicated themselves to working with children.  The combination of education, training and work experience is exceptional.  Each person brings their own talents, gifts and love for teaching preschoolers and serving families.  Between the entire staff, we have over 90 years of experience! We are blessed to be a strong team working together to provide an excellent preschool experience for our families. 

Director 

Mrs. Amber has been on the Maple Valley Christian Preschool staff for the past 10 years. Prior to starting a family she worked for Renton School District in a variety of positions including reading specialist. Mrs. Amber has taught at the preschool for 5 years where she then stepped out of the classroom and into the office. She has a love for children, and a passion for teaching and helping to form young minds around Jesus. Mrs. Amber lives in Ravensdale with her husband Mike and 2 boys Dylan and Caleb (former Alumni of MVCP). 

Asst. Director

Mrs. Stephanie discovered her passion for teaching early in life. After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education, she began her career as a specail education teacher for students with severe and profound disabilities. After 9 years of teaching, Stephanie and her husband Brian, decided it was time for her to stay home with thier young family. She joined our school a few years ago, after her three kiddos went through our program. Being able to go back into education has always been Stephaine's dream. She loves sharing the love of Jesus, shaping young minds and encouraging kiddos to be the very best they can be. When Stephanie is not in the building, she enjoys being outdoors with her family. 

Preschool Chaplain

Pastor David has a MA and MPTH from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University and a DMin from Western Theological Seminary. As Preschool Chaplain Pastor David loves to teach kids about Jesus, sing fun worship songs and build relationships with students and their families. Pastor David is also a longtime staff member of Maple Valley Church where he serves as Senior Pastor. Pastor David and his wife Monika live in Maple Valley with their two kids, Ella and Emerson. In his free time Pastor David loves sports, reading, collecting records, gardening, camping and playing guitar.

Teacher- 4 year olds

This is Mrs. Amy’s 3rd year teaching at Maple Valley Christian Preschool. She has a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and an Early Childhood Education degree from Skagit Valley College. She took a break from teaching to raise her triplets, Colton, Cordelia and Lucy (age 17) with her husband Ryan. While raising her children she volunteered in the kids’ classrooms and schools, worked as a substitute para-educator for the Tahoma School District, and she coached gymnastics. Mrs. Amy loves watching her students grow from the first day of school to the last, academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Fun fact: Mrs. Amy is teaching in the same classroom that her children attended. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her three cats.

Teacher- 2 year olds

Mrs. Carissa has enjoyed being a part of Maple Valley Christian Preschool since 2019. She began her journey with MVCP as a parent in the 2s class, and has grown to embrace the community in following her three children through their preschool experiences. Mrs. Carissa is so excited to help provide a similarly positive learning environment for other preschool families. She feels privileged to teach 2- and 3-year-olds who are beginning their educational career alongside their parents and role models, all while continuing to build a relationship with God. Whether it’s planning for an interactive class, working with students individually, or joining them side-by-side in hands-on classroom projects herself, Mrs. Carissa is passionate about being immersed in activities with students as they explore the world around them! It is a truly unique and special time and she feels blessed to play a role in their lives. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Carissa enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the beach, star gazing, roasting smores around a fire, or cozying up by the fireplace while listening to the soothing sound of rain in the Pacific Northwest. Mrs. Carissa lives in Maple Valley with her husband, 3 children, and 2 dogs.

Teacher- 3 year olds

Mrs. Emily has been in education for 12 years this school year! She has her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and her Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, both from Seattle Pacific University (Go Falcons!). Emily taught grades K-3 but decided to step out of the classroom last year when you oldest started preschool. That's when she fell in love with MVCP- first as a parent and then as a sub! She saw first-hand how important it is to have a positive preschool experience so that students will develop that amazing love for school! Now her oldest, Griffin, is in kindergarten and her youngest, Henry, is starting his preschool journey in the 2's class at MVCP! Yay! When she is not teaching the 3's class, she is subbing at Griffin's elementary school, attending her boys' sporting events, or taking on some fun home projects! 

Teacher- 4 year olds

Mrs. Kelli has been a part of Maple Valley Christian Preschool community for many years and is thrilled to be joining the team as a 4's teacher. She has four children; Elizabeth (10), Miles (8), Grace (5), who have all loved attending preschool here, and Jack (3) who is happily following in their footsteps this fall. Mrs. Kelli has served as a substitute teacher this past year and has been a wonderful Teacher's Assistant for the past two years. In the classroom Mrs. Kelli loves to incorporate a fun environment that allows creativity through learning, while fostering a warm and joyful environment. Mrs. Kelli bright personality will surely liven up any clasroom! She is excited to teach these young minds about academics, how to cultivate friends and, most importantly, the love of God.  

Teacher- Junior Kindergaden/5 Year olds

Mrs. Lauren fell into full time teaching at MVCP when she fulfilled a mid-year need for a 4's teacher after being both a substitute and Teacher Assistant. She has been working with preschool to elementary aged students for the past 15+ years- as a reading tutor in the Seattle School District, through multiple VBS and children's ministry programs, and as a a Head Chef at Young Chef Academy. She loves teaching young minds, sharing about God's love, and working with parents to ensure students are well prepared for kindergarten. Lauren lives in Ravensdale with her husband, two boys, and thier dog. 

Teacher- 3 year olds

Mrs. Natasha is in her forth year teaching at Maple Valley Christian Preschool. She has been on staff since 2015 where she started as our team Registrar. Her kids, Kael (16), Mason (13), and Hadley (11), all attended Maple Valley Christian Preschool, where she fell in love with the school. She made the transition to teaching once her children were in school full time. When not teaching, she helps her husband Korey, run the auto shop that they own. Natasha enjoys watching her children find joy in friendships, God and all their extra-curricular activities.

Teacher- 3 year olds

Mrs. Noelle first became involved in Maple Valley Christian Preschool in 2016 when her daughter was enrolled. She began as a substitute teacher and has now been teaching her own class for 3 years. Mrs. Noelle has a passsion for kids, she loves teaching them social skills and acedemics along with helping them grow in their relationship with God. She is currently working on completing her STARS certificate in the field of Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Noelle lives in Maple Valley with her husband, Eric, and their children
( Abigail, Andrew, and Alexander). 

Teacher- 4 year olds

Mrs. Stephanie has enjoyed the past two years as a parent of Maple Valley Christian Preschool students. She looked forward to working as a sub at MVCP this past school year and felt a calling to be back in the classroom! After starting a family with her husband Sean, Mrs. Steph took a break from her 8 years as a High School Freshman Sucess and specail education teacher to raise her 3 children, Cooper (9), Ryan (7), and Stevie (5). She is so excited to be back in the classroom teaching a 4's class as well as partnering with parents in the 2's class. 
Having the opportunity to be the first school experience for the 2's class and the last before Kindergarten for her 4's is so special. Taking everyday lessons and sprinkling them with God's love to help guide her students to be the best version of themselves is the most rewarding part of teaching this age group.
When she is not at school you can find her coaching Cheerleading at Mt. Si High School, walking her two dogs, Lola and Lucy and cheering on her kiddos at various activities throughout the year.   

Teacher- 4 year olds

Mrs. Tristen first fell in love with Maple Valley Christian Preschool as a parent and then as a sub after her youngest started kindergarten. Now with her oldest attending EWU, her middle daughter studying Esthetics and her younger two at Tahoma High School she is delighted to be teaching a 4's class.The wonder and curiosity that twinkles in the eye of her students is a gift to witness and nurture. Being able to weave the treasures of God's love into her lessons is just icing on the cake. When she is not at school she savors her time with family and friends, enjoys reading and writing and adventures in the wild.