
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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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. LAURA
BEAR CLASS - Co-Lead Teacher
I am so happy to be a part of the Joyful Discovery Preschool family! I received my Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Washington. After college, I worked for a non-profit organization called Camp Korey, which caters to the needs of children with life-altering medical conditions. While I loved the mission work there, I decided to be a stay at home mom when my oldest was born. As my children started attending school,, I became certified as a substitute teacher in ISD. I am excited to be in the Bear Class as my youngest two attended Joyful Discovery Preschool when they were little, and I have many sweet memories of their preschool days. My husband and I live in Sammamish with our three children. Our family loves spending time together on the water, and cheering each other on at baseball and softball games. I am honored to be a part of your child's preschool experience, and I can't wait to get to know your wonderful children!
Ms. KIM
BEAR CLASS - Co-Lead Teacher
Joining the amazing staff at Joyful Discovery Preschool has been a blessing! I am so grateful to be teaching in the classroom again after many years staying home with my own children. I started at JDP as a Pre-K long-term sub in January of 2024 and decided to stay on in the Fall of 2024 when a position opened in the Bear Class. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While earning my Master's Degree in Literacy Education as well as my certificate in School Administration, I taught second, third and fourth grades. In 2014, my family moved to Sammamish and I decided to be a stay at home mom to be with my four children. They keep me busy with sports games and gymnastic meets.
I look forward to getting yo know all of the wonderful students and families at Joyful Discovery Preschool!
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, Marlin 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 thrilled to be a part of the JDP team! 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 Senior at Skyline), and our daughter Elsa is a sophomore at CU Boulder. 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. JAIME
FOX CLASS - Lead 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. 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!
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