Kirkland Staff
Kimberly Harlan
Assistant Director
Kim has been working with children and families for over 25 years. She started her career teaching kindergarten in Hawaii and then taught in southern California. Kim moved back home to the Northwest in 1991 and has worked in both the for profit and non-profit sectors of early education. Her last position was as a supervisor for the YMCA of Greater Seattle. Kim also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the family courts of King County. She is very involved in child advocacy and early learning.
Kim holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Washington and continued her education in elementary education at the University of Hawaii. She has continued to take classes in early childhood education. Kim sat on the board of directors for the Children's Response Center and she and her husband helped found the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.
Kim lives in Redmond with her husband and two of her three children, the oldest being a junior at the University of Washington. She loves to travel, read, bead and is learning to fuse glass. Kim is very excited to be a part of the Cedar Crest Academy family.
Lynda Bignayan
Early Learners Lead Teacher
Lynda has more than a decade of experience in the field of Early Childhood, including being a Toddler Teacher and Preschool Teacher. Lynda began working with children while studying at Seattle University. While mentoring at an after school program, she was deeply impacted by the importance of teaching children. Since then, she has volunteered with various organizations and has been working professionally with children of all ages and backgrounds for over ten years in the Seattle and Kirkland areas.
Originally from the island of Guam, Lynda came to Seattle and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a focus in Social Work from Seattle University. She also spent a quarter in Mexico and has a minor in Spanish.
One of Lynda's main passions in life is traveling. Not only does she use this time to "escape," but also to learn and appreciate life.
Lisa Bjorkman
Preschool Lead Teacher
Lisa began working in Early Childhood Education in 2007. Before coming to Cedar Crest she worked as a Toddler teacher, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and a Kindergarten teacher. Lisa began her teaching career at Mercer Island High School in the Special Education Department, where she also did her student teaching.
Lisa graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education, Social Studies from Eastern Washington University. Though her formal training is in Secondary Education, Lisa feels that it is important to create a love for learning at a young age. She believes that it is essential to encourage children to learn through teacher-directed activities as well as their own self-expression and creativity.
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys traveling, reading, scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends.
Amanda Bodwin
Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Amanda earned her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies from Chapman University, and her Master's Degree in Education and California State Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University. Amanda has classroom experience from her student teaching assignments in grades Kindergarten, first, second, and fifth grades.
Since moving to Seattle from Orange County, California, Amanda has continued following her dream of become a teacher and has found Early Childhood Education very rewarding and fun. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, listening to music, and traveling.
Jade C. Brodie
Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Jade joined our program after being highly recommended by several Cedar Crest Charter Parents who knew her from their children’s previous school. Jade has over 11 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, primarily teaching Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten. She acquired her Early Childhood Education certification from Lake Washington Technical College.
Jade also has experience working with diverse groups of children from various multicultural, social, and economic backgrounds from infant through school – age. Prior to joining the Cedar Crest Academy staff, she worked as both a Lead Teacher and Program Supervisor at another school.
Jade believes that each child is unique and learns at his/her own pace and learning style. As a teacher, Jade believes her role is to give each child the best learning experience possible to get him or her well prepared for Kindergarten.
In addition to teaching, Jade owns her own cake business and teaches cake decorating classes. Jade and her husband, John, have a wonderful teenage daughter, Christine. In her spare time Jade enjoys reading, writing, and traveling with family.
Violeta Carretero
Cook
Violeta was born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, and is the oldest of four children. She has lived in Washington state for the past nine years and has been on the Cedar Crest staff since 2005. Violeta worked in a local restaurant before becoming CCA's first full-time cook. With Violeta's warm smile and friendly demeanor, she quickly became an integral and much-loved part of the Cedar Crest family. Violeta was instrumental in helping us open the Kirkland Campus and establishing a consistent culture between the two campuses.
Violeta's favorite pastime is playing with her son, Maximilliano, and she is excitedly awaiting the birth of her baby girl. She loves her job and hopes to retire with Cedar Crest.
Kerstin Cary
Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Kerstin has been working with children for over 13 years. She began with babysitting and then worked for four years at a preschool in Kenmore before leaving for college. While in high school, Kerstin enrolled in a class that enabled her to volunteer 3-4 mornings each week teaching math and reading to second grade children. This is experience solidified Kerstin's desire to become a teacher.
Kerstin graduated from Western Washington University's teaching program in June, 2008. She is currently working toward completing her Washington State Teaching Certificate. She is also interested in earning her Master's in Administration along with a Master's in Business. She hopes to one day own her own school somewhere on the eastside.
Kerstin was raised in a large family here in Kirkland. She continues to spend much of her free time with her family, three Shih Tzu's, and friends. Kerstin spends much of her free time cooking, playing games, going to Seahawks games, enjoying water sports, and watching movies.
Dee Dawson
Art Teacher and Event Coordinator
Dee has been working with children for 31 years and has taught children from toddler age to junior high in both public and private schools. In addition to teaching school, Dee also taught Equestrian riding to children of all ages.
Before joining Cedar Crest Academy, Dee taught at a Montessori school where she realized her passion for working with younger children. At Cedar Crest, Dee has been able to integrate some of her knowledge of the Montessori Method with Cedar Crest’s curriculum. Dee helped launch our second Preschool class during the summer of 2003.
Dee has raised two grown daughters and is now enjoying her six grandchildren. While not at Cedar Crest, Dee enjoys spending time boating, fishing, and training new Equestrian instructors.
Samantha Dayley
Preschool Lead Teacher
Samantha is a graduate of Western Washington University, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in both Cultural Anthropology and Spanish. During her time at WWU, she gained a great deal of experience working with children from birth through 18 years of age. For four years she was a volunteer Sunday school teacher who worked with three to five year olds. Also during her time at Western she was a volunteer coach for a local high school track team. From June through August 2008 she worked as an Instructional Assistant at a summer camp for autistic children.
In the classroom, Samantha believes children learn best by doing, and that in order to build a love of learning children need real world experiences. She has found that by allowing students to take an active part in their learning, they are left with a more complete understanding of the subject. Students are more likely to enjoy education when they have fun while learning.
In her free time Samantha enjoys reading, camping, hiking, kayaking, and baking. During summer 2008 she camped and hiked at Mt. Rainier for the first time. She hopes to return again and explore more of the mountain. She also loves traveling and hopes for an opportunity to visit Europe, particularly Spain, France, and the Greek Islands.
Keri Fojtik
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Keri has enjoyed over eight years of experience working with children as a teacher, tutor, mentor, instructor, childcare worker, and summer camp counselor. She has a Master's Degree in Teaching with an endorsement in Elementary Education from City University of Seattle and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Washington. While completing her undergraduate degree, Keri worked as an extended day and summer program teacher at a private elementary school in Wallingford. After completing her Bachelor's Degree she taught preschool for a year in a private early childhood education center.
For the past seven years Keri has volunteered with the American Red Cross, working with youth and adults as a certified instructor in a variety of areas, including CPR/First Aid. While completing her graduate degree she had internships and student teaching experiences in 5th grade, 1st grade, and Kindergarten classrooms, as well as a K/1st grade combined class.
In her spare time Keri enjoys reading, baking, skiing, and taking the ferry to visit her family in Bremerton.
Ashleigh Gillespie
Preschool Lead Teacher
Ashleigh comes to Cedar Crest with 10 years of experience working with children ranging from 2 to 13 years old. Before joining the CCA staff, Ashleigh worked as an Activity Club Supervisor. She has her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and holds a Washington State Teaching certificate from Western Washington University. While in college she worked at the YMCA for five years as the Assistant Teacher in the Kindergarten room as well as being a Counselor for the Before and After School Programs.
Ashleigh is passionate about individualizing her teaching to reach the needs of each child in her class. She understands the importance of learning through experience and fun and is excited to implement her skills in order to impact her students now and in the future.
In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys staying active. She loves to snowboard, swim, play tennis, go hiking, and more than anything, loves to travel. She has backpacked Western Europe, Costa Rica, and Panama, and hopes to add Australia and New Zealand to that list in the near future.
Tara Kennewick
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Tara is originally from New York, where she taught Kindergarten and first grade in the public school system. Since moving to the Seattle area in 2006 she has taught Pre-K and Kindergarten in an early childhood center. She is excited to be a part of the Cedar Crest Academy team.
Tara earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Childhood Education from the University of Rochester. She is a certified teacher in elementary education in both New York and Washington. Tara continues to attend workshops, seminars, and training in all areas of education.
Tara loves the outdoors, especially hiking in the Pacific Northwest summertime. She is very close with her family and visits them in New York often. Tara also enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling.
Julissa Lizaola
Floater
Julissa has worked as an early childhood educator for over four years. During this time she has gained experience in many different positions. She began as a Program Aide with children of all ages at a local Boys and Girls Club. She was the Art Specialist and a great role model to the children under her care. Julissa later worked as a Toddler Teacher for a year, and then as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Julissa is passionate about working with younger children and believes it is important to teach the child as a whole, equipping them with all the skills needed to thrive in today’s society. She strives to encourage self-confidence in her students in hopes that they will bravely take on each new task. Julissa is currently a student Bellevue Community College, finishing her Early Childhood Education certificate and Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood. After completing her degree she plans on teaching in the public school system.
In her spare time, Julissa enjoys spending time with her family. She is the middle child in a family of five. She also loves to travel. One of her favorite places to visit is Mexico, where her extended family still resides. While not at Cedar Crest, Julissa enjoys spending time outside, camping, or going to see good movies.
Heather McClain
Lead Preschool Teacher
Heather has been working in childcare for over five years, and joined the Cedar Crest staff in 2008. She began working with children as an assistant in the home daycare her mother ran and continued working in childcare after moving to Seattle from Yakima in 2005. Her love of children began with the birth of her brother, and has continued to grow through her experience working with other children.
After surviving breast cancer in 2004, Heather became a spokesperson for breast cancer in young women, appearing on the Dr. Phil Show and Good Morning America, and participating in Breast Cancer Walks. She started the distribution of "hope" bracelets, raising over $12,000 towards breast cancer research, and was named Yakima's "Local Hero of the Year" in 2005.
In her free time Heather immerses herself in music, whether it be attending concerts, visiting record stores, or decorating her apartment with posters of her favorite musicians.
Rachel Morris
Early Learners Lead Teacher
Rachel has enjoyed working with young children for the past six years. In addition to working in a variety of preschool programs she has been a tutor, a camp counselor, and a mentor. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development/Early Childhood Education with a minor in Science from Washington State University where she had the opportunity to work with amazing professors and children's advocates that helped to strengthen her passion for young children, their education and welfare.
Rachel was raised near Bellingham Washington and loves living in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. In her free time she enjoys reading, sewing, watching movies, and spending time with her family.
Erin Waters
Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Erin earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Art Studio. She also holds a current K-6 Washington State Teaching Certificate.
For over ten years Erin has gained valuable experience working with children in various roles including tutoring, teaching, working with children with Autism and working as a nanny. Erin has worked at the Kirkland Campus since February and is looking forward to moving into a Lead Teacher role. As a young girl Erin dreamed of being a teacher and finds teaching to be a very enjoyable and rewarding career. She finds that she is not only a teacher to her students but that she learns much from the children as well. Before getting hired here at Cedar Crest, Erin worked for a year as a substitute teacher within the Renton and Shoreline School Districts in grades preschool through fourth grade.
In her free time Erin enjoys doing outdoor activities, reading, exercising, photography, traveling and spending time with friends and family.