Meet the Team
Director: Julia Dos Remedios
Ms. Julia has been a long-time parent volunteer, a Maples teacher since 2020, and is now excited to take on the role of Director. She looks forward to helping the preschool build on its success as a nurturing and loving place where children can thrive and be successful.
Jena Poddigue
Ms Jena, our co-lead teacher for the Sprouts (Older 2s) class, is entering her third year of teaching at SHLP. She is a past preschool parent and a past Ministry Team board member. Jena is excited to learn and grow alongside the children this year!
Kellie Tolton
Ms. Kellie, also a co-lead teacher in the Sprouts class (older 2's), is also beginning her third year of teaching at SHLP and is also a past parent of the preschool! Kellie has many years of experience working with young children and looks forward to giving them a happy and loving "first school" experience.
Mercy Amerlaan
Ms. Mercy is a long-time substitute teacher at SHLP and has spent time in all of our classrooms. In 2025-2026 she will be taking over from Ms. Kellie as assistant teacher for the Sprouts class. Before becoming our substitute extraordinaire Ms. Mercy was a preschool teacher at Bellevue College for eight years!
Mercy has lived in Sammamish for 23 years and loves to explore the West Coast in her RV. She is excited to become a permanent member of staff and a part of your child's early learning experience.
Emily Loney
Ms. Emily has been bringing joy to our Saplings classroom for the past three years as the assistant teacher, and we are thrilled that she is continuing as lead teacher for the 2024/25 school year. Emily is a past SHLP parent and Ministry Team board member as well. We are very excited to have her and her love for elephants in the Saplings classroom!
Theresa Arnold
Theresa is also a past parent, Ministry Team Board member, sub, assistant Sprouts teacher and now assistant Saplings teacher. Theresa loves engaging the kids in projects that encourage self-expression and exploration - and the messier the better!
Shana Tischafer
Ms. Shana is the lead teacher for our Maples (Pre-K class). She has been teaching at SHLP for 12 years (but has been part of the SHLP family for more years than we can count)! Shana adores teaching preschoolers as they are funny, sweet, and love to learn new things.
Erin Lam
Ms. Erin is the new Maples assistant teacher. She is a past parent and longtime supporter of SHLP. Erin has many years of experience working in libraries and has a special love of children’s literature. She is looking forward to all the learning in the year ahead!
Melanie Smith
Ms. Melanie is the lead Cedars class teacher (Older Pre-K) This is her fourth year at SHLP. Melanie also ran the Art Start program at Mead Elementary for several years and is a longtime Girl Scout troop leader. She thinks all ages are great, but really appreciates the Pre-K age because it’s so much fun to watch kids make daily realizations about learning and life. Those ‘a-ha!’ moments are the best! She looks forward to a great year with your kids (and you)!
Reshmi Pillai
Ms. Reshmi is the assistant teacher for the Cedars class (Older Pre-K). This marks her fourth year of teaching, though she has been involved with SHLP as a parent and volunteer for much longer! Reshmi is both creative and organized, taking joy in witnessing the children learn something new every day.
Jamie Watmough
Ms. Jamie is joining us for her first year at SHLP as our music and movement teacher AND our Rhythm & Play Grown Up and Me class. Jamie is excited to sing and dance with our students this year. She brings more than 6 years of experience as a reading, writing, dance, and music teacher. Jamie also has twins in our Cedars class!