OUR PHILOSOPHY
Joyful Discovery Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment with a child-centered, developmentally appropriate curriculum balanced in play, academics, and joyful discovery. We encourage and guide children towards success through early academic preparation, social-emotional development, and spiritual growth. We value the uniqueness of each child, foster a love of learning, and seek to instill an awareness of being loved by God. Our mission also is to give students:
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Highly qualified staff with extensive experience in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
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Credentialed Lead Teachers and Director with Masters in Education & School Leadership
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Thematic curriculum rich in science + social studies
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Music, Art + P.E. enrichments
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A uniquely spacious facility with gym + playground
OUR TEACHERS + STAFF
DIRECTOR
Ms. AIMEE
I absolutely love being a part of the Joyful Discovery Preschool community! I have my BA in Elementary Education and my MA in Education & School Leadership. I have taught all ages from infants through high school with 8 of my 22 years in education in the director role. I moved to Sammamish from Minnesota in 2013 with my husband and 2 children. We love being outdoors and you will usually find us on the court or field cheering them on. I started teaching at JDP in 2016, then in 2019 switched to teach at the elementary level. In 2022, the JDP director opening fell into my lap, I inquired to help out as they found a director, which quickly shifted to me taking over the role, and I couldn't be more blessed. The families, students and teachers are amazing, I love being back in a school that feels like home. God gave me a little nudge one Sunday in August of 2022 and I am so thankful I listened. I love coming to work every day, and I am excited to be a part of the foundation of your children's education and first school experience. My door is always open, please stop in and say hello!
Ms. CLAUDIA
OTTER CLASS - 2's Lead Teacher
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JDP community. My roots lie in Mexico, where I was born and raised. My academic journey includes the attainment of my BA in Marketing, followed by a distinguished career for over a decade. The year 2011 marked a significant year in my life, as I relocated to Washington with my husband Ricardo, and our children Maria Jose and Matteo. My passion for teaching faith formation was ignited at the young age of 18. Over the years I have been enriched by the incredible gift of guiding and nurturing children's growth. Witnessing the divine through the eyes of young learners brings me immense joy.
For the past five years, I was a Spanish Teacher at a school in Seattle for ages one through seven years old, as well as a substitute aide at St. Louise Parish School. In 2022, I started teaching the two's class at Joyful Discovery Preschool, and in 2023 I was given the opportunity to be the Pre-K assistant in the Fox Class.
During my leisure moments, I find delight in observing my children in sports activities. My interests encompass a profound love of music and cinema. I am ardent about soccer, a sport that resonates with my soul!
I am excited to watch your children grow and learn with me at JDP!
Ms. REBECCA
BEAR CLASS - Lead Teacher
Before relocating to Sammamish in 2012, I taught at Peake Academy in Lake Oswego, Oregon. While there, I helped develop and expand their program and found the experience to very rewarding. I was blessed to be part of the initial team at JDP and have watched our program flourish over the past few years! I love teaching preschool, as it is a time of great wonder and joy. The foundations established during these years truly have life-long impact. I studied at San Diego State University and earned my degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education. My husband Michael and I live in Sammamish and have 3 children –Emma, Colin, and Maddie – and are parishioners at Mary, Queen of Peace. We enjoy a number of pets including, a Cavalier King Charles, a Yorkie, and a cat. In my free time I love to read, try out new recipes, and spend time with my family. I look forward to spending the year learning, laughing and growing along with all my students!
Ms. JAIME
BEAR CLASS - Assistant Teacher
I received my Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and went on to earn my Masters in Teaching at Seattle University. I taught 4th grade in the Bellevue School District before becoming a stay at home mom. My husband Owen and I have lived in Sammamish for 16 years and we have 3 wonderful children: Lily, Natalie, and Mason. We love to travel as a family, and in my spare time I enjoy a good book and hanging out with family and friends. I am looking forward to working with your children!
Ms. MICHELLE
OWL CLASS -Lead Teacher
I am so excited to be working with the staff and families here at Joyful Discovery Preschool! Years ago, two of my kids attended preschool here in these same rooms! It brings back wonderful memories that I know you all will cherish for years to come! I was born in New Jersey but grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received my Bachelors in Early Childhood Development from the University of Utah. My husband and I both love the PNW, so we moved up here in 2000 and have loved every moment. We have 3 great kids: Lex, Jack, and Ava Marie. We traveled to China in 2010 and adopted Ava when she was 2, and she has kept us on our toes ever since! Our family loves to spend time outdoors skiing, hiking, and traveling, especially road trips to the Oregon Coast with our pups, Orca and Bruce. I look forward to getting to know you and your children and know this will be another great year!
Ms. JACKIE
OWL CLASS - Assistant Teacher
I am absolutely thrilled to join the JDP team as the Assistant Preschool Teacher! I have a BA in English and Communications, extensive post-grad coursework in Education, and work experience as a writer, editor and teacher. I taught Language Arts in both Seattle and Edmonds School Districts, then took some time off to stay at home with my kids, staying involved in the schools through some wonderful volunteer opportunities (my favorite being an art teacher in elementary school classrooms).
My husband Justin and I live in Sammamish with our son, Jack (a junior at Skyline), and we just moved our daughter Elsa to CU Boulder for her freshman year! I love to read, hike with our dog, travel, cook, see live music, and just spend time with family and friends! I cannot wait to meet our new students and begin an amazing year, filled with fun and new learning experiences for all!
Ms. ANGIE
FOX CLASS - Lead Teacher
I am delighted to call Joyful Discovery Preschool home! I grew up in Bellevue, always knowing I wanted to be a teacher. I received a bachelor’s degree in English and a post-graduate degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of Washington. I taught kindergarten at Seattle Country Day School before starting our family. I taught toddler and preschool classes in the Bellevue College Parent Education Program for six years before teaching PreK at JDP. Our family settled in Sammamish in 2011, and we love the beauty and spirit of this town. My husband and I are blessed with two wonderful boys, Kody and Brady. We love hanging out together, playing with our three dogs, cooking and traveling. I enjoy taking long nature walks, reading, gardening, and anything Disney. Growing up in the beautiful Northwest has given me a passion for the natural world that I enjoy sharing with my students. I can’t wait to share a wonderful year of growth and community with you and your child!
Ms. CLAUDIA
FOX CLASS - Assistant Teacher
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the JDP community. My roots lie in Mexico, where I was born and raised. My academic journey includes the attainment of my BA in Marketing, followed by a distinguished career for over a decade. The year 2011 marked a significant year in my life, as I relocated to Washington with my husband Ricardo, and our children Maria Jose and Matteo. My passion for teaching faith formation was ignited at the young age of 18. Over the years I have been enriched by the incredible gift of guiding and nurturing children's growth. Witnessing the divine through the eyes of young learners brings me immense joy. For the past five years, I was a Spanish Teacher at a school in Seattle for ages one through seven years old, as well as a substitute aide at St. Louise Parish School. In 2022, I started teaching the two's class at Joyful Discovery Preschool, and in 2023 I was given the opportunity to be the Pre-K assistant in the Fox Class. During my leisure moments, I find delight in observing my children in sports activities. My interests encompass a profound love of music and cinema. I am ardent about soccer, a sport that resonates with my soul! I am excited to watch your children grow and learn with me at JDP!
Ms. ELANA
Fun Friday Lead Teacher
I am excited to be a part of the team at Joyful Discovery Preschool! I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and received a BA in Psychology and a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta. The majority of my teaching experience has been at the kindergarten and first grade level. I moved to the U.S. in 2004 to marry my husband and have enjoyed being a stay at home mom to my wonderful children, Tyler and Avery. We relocated to Sammamish 7 years ago from the East Coast. We absolutely love living here. We split our weekends between kids sports and doing things as a family like biking, hiking, visiting local museums, and exploring the Pacific Northwest. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and doing anything creative. I'm looking forward to getting to know your children and feel blessed at the opportunity to watch them grow.
Ms. PEGGY
Fun Friday -Assistant Teacher
I am so happy to be a part of the JDP staff and this wonderful community! I was born and raised in El Salvador. I got my Bachelors degree in Louisiana State University and worked in marketing research for a few years. I moved to Washington state with my husband, Jose, in 2003 where we have raised our three wonderful children Iralde, Fernando and Victoria. In the last few years I have been volunteering in the Issaquah School District, taught faith formation at MQP for a couple of years and was a Voice Mentor for Issaquah Middle School. In my spare time I love watching my kids play their sports, walking our dog Ani, reading, and spending time with friends and family here and abroad in El Salvador and Spain. I’m excited to get to know the students and families and have a wonderful year of learning and growth!