Meet Our Teachers

Director, 2’s and 3’s Teacher

I am married with two children; our daughter is 19 and our son is 16. (They are both proud St. Mark's Preschool alumni!) We live in University Place with our two dogs, Bumper and Bodie. I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and a master's degree from Seattle University. I have worked with children's programs at St. Mark's since 2008. My role as director gives me the unique opportunity of being able to connect with all of our preschool families and share our welcoming community with them. When I'm not at preschool I can often be found reading, taking our dogs for a walk, or spending time with my family and friends. Our family especially loves being on the salt water: fishing, clamming, shrimping and crabbing are some of our favorite activities! I'm looking forward to this coming school year and getting to know all the kids that will be at preschool and in class with Ms. Brittany and me!

Photo Credit: Fox & Wagon Photography

2’s and 3’s Teacher

My husband and I live in University Place with our three kids; Charlie (9), Ella (6) and Emily (1). This will be my first year teaching at St. Mark’s Preschool, and I couldn’t be more excited! I graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, with an endorsement in Elementary Education. I taught 1st and 2nd grade for seven years before staying home with my kids for the last six years. During that time, my two oldest kids attended St. Mark’s Preschool. I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to getting back into teaching and meeting all of the kids at school!

3’s and 4’s Teacher

I am so excited to be here as a teacher at St. Mark’s Preschool! I live in the neighborhood with my ever-patient husband, 3 hilarious kids (2 of whom are St. Mark's graduates), and 3 glorious cats. I love gardening, wandering in the woods and floating in water, fostering kittens and reading! I have worked in a few exciting areas of education including early learning, the Point Defiance Zoo, and Skyline Elementary - I love to be a helper. I hope to bring my enthusiasm for science and discovery to the classroom, and strive to create a joyful and welcoming space!

3’s and 4’s Teacher

I am thrilled to be joining the St. Mark’s community as one of the Chipmunks teachers this year! My husband and I have three children—two boys (ages 9 and 11) and a 5-year-old daughter. All three have attended St. Mark’s, so our family has been part of this wonderful school community for the past eight years. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education from Western Washington University and a Master’s degree in Math Education from Lesley University. Before staying home to raise my children, I taught 7th grade math and science. Now, I’m excited to return to the classroom and share the same love and care with your children that mine received here. In our free time, I enjoy traveling with my family, tackling home projects, riding our Peloton, and curling up with a good book.

Pre-K Teacher

I am married with four children, who have all attended St. Mark’s Preschool.  My favorite thing in life is to spend time outdoors with my family.  I love to hike, mountain bike and sometimes I just enjoy aimlessly wandering. I started teaching at St. Mark’s Preschool in 2007. I absolutely love the fact that kids this age have so much wonder and curiosity about the world around them which I hope to help them retain.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to help instill the values of empathy and love towards one another and to be good stewards of this earth we all share.  I am so excited to get to know all my new students and their families!

Photo Credit: Fox & Wagon Photography

Pre-K Teacher

I have loved working with children my entire life - teaching preschool through high school/college, becoming a social worker in Texas after graduation, followed by teaching Special Education in Brooklyn, NY.  We moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2013 and absolutely love life on the Best Coast! My youngest started Pre-K at St. Mark’s when we moved to Tacoma and I fell in love with the community. I love to teach Pre-K - it’s such a privilege to be a part of this amazing time of discovery and development. When I’m not teaching or volunteering in my sons’ schools, you can find my husband, our two boys and our puppy at the beach, the campsite, the trails or finding out the best Mexican food restaurants around!

Photo Credit: Fox & Wagon Photography

Pre-K Teacher

Hello! My name is Karen and I grew up in Tacoma. My husband, Tom, and I now live in University Place. We have two children, Jack who is 16 and Luci who is 14. I graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I enjoy spending time with family and friends either at the mountain snowboarding, boating out on the Sound or camping near lakes. I also enjoy running and learning new things. I am currently learning to speak Spanish and play the ukulele! I am excited to meet my new students!

Photo Credit: Fox & Wagon Photography

Pre-K Teacher

I am a Tacoma native who has lived in the North End for most of my life and I love this community. My husband and I have two children, one in elementary school and one in middle school. I attended Linfield College for my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I also have a master’s degree from the University of Washington where I received Special Education and Reading Specialist endorsements. Before deciding to stay home with my kids, I taught in a K-2 Autism classroom in the Tacoma Public Schools for five years.  After leaving the school district I worked as a tutor for the non-profit, Exceptional Families Network and as an educational advocate for families with Autism. Teaching and working with children have always been my passion. I have been a teacher at St. Mark’s since 2018. I look forward to introducing my students to school and fostering a love of learning.

Photo Credit: Fox & Wagon Photography