Morningstar School

Karen, Director

Miss Karen founded Morning Star School in 1997 after completing her accreditation in Early Childhood Education at Lake Washington Vocational Technical College. Frustrated by the lack of high quality children’s services, she joined her family’s long tradition of service in the education system (her Mother and several other members of her family have been teaching in Washington State for over 70 years beginning with her Grandmother in a one room school house in Skykomish). Prior to teaching, Miss Karen had a 14 year career in Civil Engineering Graphics and holds a B.A. in Graphic Arts from Central Washington University in addition to her Accreditation in Early Childhood Education.

Diana, Educator

Miss Diana is a certified K-8 grade Teacher with Washington State and holds a BA degree in Society, Ethics & Human Behavior. She has 9 years of classroom experience working with young children as well as 17 years of experience teaching swimming to ages 6 months to adult. Miss Diana has two young children of her own and is a caring and nurturing teacher.

Jamie, Educator

Miss Jamie holds an Associates in ECE through Lake Washington Technical College. She previously taught preschool in the LWTC child care while attending courses at LWTC, and has 8 years of professional experience teaching preschool. Miss Jamie is energetic and caring with young children. She enjoys adding special touches for the students to explore in the different learning centers throughout the classroom.

Diane, Educator

Miss Diane has 2 years of experience as a preschool assistant and has worked previously with children in preschool and grade school settings for 24 years as a volunteer through her church as a childcare provider and as a professional classroom aid, all in addition to raising 4 children of her own. She previously served as a ABA Therapist assistant for a child with autism, assisting him as a full time classroom aid from preschool through 3rd grade. She holds an Associates degree and has a life long interest in children and their education.

Gretchen, Educator

Miss Gretchen received her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Washington, and is a certified teacher through Washington State. She has taught for over 5 years in the local public schools, with 3 years teaching Kindergarten in the Bellevue School District. Miss Gretchen also teaches music at her church to children ages 2 to 7, and has done so for the past 4 years. She had the experience of teaching in Ecuador and Colombia (speaking Spanish) and spent 2 months in China training teachers in Special Education practices. Miss Gretchen has 2 boys of her own, one of which attends Morning Star.

Michelle, Educator

Miss Michelle has a recently received her Bachelor’s degree in social sciences with an emphasis in business, psychology and sociology from Washington state University. She has worked with children for a few years teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school. She is kind, caring, and energetic and is enthusiastic about teaching young children and preparing them for furthering their education.

Molly, Site Manager, Educator

Fully accredited in early childhood education (ECE) through Lake Washington Technical College and Edmonds Community college with over 80 credits college level education. Miss Molly holds extensive S.T.A.R.S. accreditation & CDA training with 32 hours of courses taken. Overall, Miss Molly has over 18 years of teaching experience along with three children of her own. Miss Molly brings a solid background in preschool instruction to the program along with many years of experience in the classroom. Miss Molly is the Woodinville Site Manager and oversees the curriculum and classroom operations.

Erica, Educator

I am very excited to be working for Morning Star and being a part of your children’s learning experience. It is a privilege. I graduated high school at Edmonds Woodway. After high school, I attended Edmonds Community College to pursue my passion for teaching children. I hold an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I have also, worked in childcare and preschool settings for three years at Head Start and ECEAP as an Assistant and Lead Teacher. I also volunteered taught at YMCA when I was in high school as well. I am a proud mother of a boy named Jayden Axel and I grew up in Edmonds, WA. Curriculum and activity planning are some my favorite aspects in a preschool setting.