Meet the Team
Director: Julia Dos Remedios
Now in her second year as Director, Ms. Julia brings a deep love for our preschool community and a wealth of experience to her leadership role. She first joined as a dedicated parent volunteer, became a beloved Maples teacher in 2020, and now leads with the same warmth, care, and commitment that have defined her journey here.
Julia is passionate about building on the preschool’s strong foundation as a nurturing, joyful, and inclusive space where every child can grow, explore, and thrive. Her thoughtful leadership helps ensure that both children and families feel supported and connected every step of the way.
Jamie Watmough
Ms. Jamie is entering her second year as our Music & Movement teacher — and this year, she’s also joining the Acorns class as our Parent/Child teacher! With over six years of experience teaching reading, writing, music, and dance, Ms. Jamie brings a joyful blend of creativity, rhythm, and early childhood know-how to everything she does.
Ms. Jamie has a special talent for engaging even the youngest learners — and their grown-ups! — through movement, music, and meaningful connection. Whether she's leading a musical parade or guiding parents and toddlers through their first classroom experiences, Ms. Jamie creates a welcoming, playful space for learning and bonding.
Jena Poddigue
Ms. Jena is starting her fourth year teaching at SHLP, and we’re so lucky to have her leading our Sprouts class! A former preschool parent and past Ministry Team board member, Ms. Jena brings both personal and professional experience to our community.
Ms. Jena holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education and has spent countless volunteer hours in preschool and elementary classrooms. Her passion is creating a warm, engaging environment where young learners feel safe to explore, play, and get messy!
Fun Fact: Before joining the world of early childhood education, Ms. Jena owned a bakery in sunny San Diego.
Mercy Amerlaan
After years of being our go-to substitute across all classrooms, Ms. Mercy is thrilled to officially join the Sprouts team as Assistant Teacher for the 2025–2026 school year!
Before becoming our substitute superstar, Ms. Mercy spent eight years teaching preschool at Bellevue College. She brings a calm, caring presence and a wealth of experience to the classroom, and she’s passionate about helping little ones grow through curiosity and play.
Ms. Mercy has called Sammamish home for 23 years and loves hitting the road in her RV to explore the beautiful West Coast.
Ask Ms. Mercy about her latest RV adventure—you might just spark a geography lesson!
Emily Loney
Ms. Emily has been a joyful presence in our Willows classroom for the past four years and is starting her fifth year on Team Willows! As a former SHLP parent and past Ministry Team board member, Ms. Emily knows our preschool community inside and out. She brings warmth, creativity, and a deep love for early childhood development to everything she does.
Fun Fact: Ms. Emily is a huge fan of elephants—don’t be surprised if a few make their way into classroom activities and story time!
Theresa Arnold
Ms. Theresa has worn many SHLP hats! She’s been a dedicated parent, Ministry Team board member, long-time substitute teacher, and Assistant Teacher in our Sprouts class—and now we’re delighted to have her as the Assistant Teacher in Willows for a second year.
Theresa brings creativity, warmth, and a true love of hands-on learning to the classroom. She’s especially passionate about projects that spark self-expression and exploration—bonus points if they’re messy!
Fun Fact: If there’s paint, glitter, or goo involved, you can bet Ms. Theresa is all in!
Shana Tischafer
Ms. Shana is our Lead Maples (Pre-K) teacher and has been teaching at SHLP for 13 wonderful years—though she’s been part of the SHLP family for even longer! Her love for preschoolers shines through in everything she does, and she cherishes their curiosity, sweetness, and hilarious observations.
With years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Shana has taken extensive professional development courses, especially in teaching early reading and phonics to Pre-K learners. She brings that expertise into the classroom, helping young minds build strong foundations in literacy through fun, engaging activities.
Before joining SHLP, Ms. Shana worked at a special education school for children who are hard of hearing, and she is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)—a skill she continues to share with her students.
Erin Lam
Ms. Erin is starting her second year as Assistant Maples Teacher, bringing with her a deep love of stories, learning, and our SHLP community. She is a past parent, substitute teacher, and longtime supporter of the school.
Before joining SHLP, Ms. Erin worked as a children’s librarian, where she developed a passion for early literacy and a knack for connecting kids with just the right book. She’s now bringing that same enthusiasm to the classroom—and to our school library, which she’s been revitalizing into a rich and inviting resource for all of our preschoolers.
Fun Fact: If you’re looking for the perfect picture book recommendation, Ms. Erin is your go-to!
Melanie Smith
Ms. Melanie is excited to be leading our Cedars class for her fifth year at SHLP! With a rich background that includes running the Art Start program at Mead Elementary and being a longtime Girl Scout troop leader, she brings creativity, leadership, and heart to everything she does.
Ms. Melanie brings a special knowledge of art to the classroom, guiding preschoolers through fun projects inspired by famous artists—introducing them to the wonders of art history in a playful, hands-on way.
While she loves all age groups, Ms. Melanie especially enjoys Pre-K because of those magical “a-ha!” moments when kids make new discoveries about learning and life. She’s looking forward to a fantastic year with your children (and you)!
Melissa Youn
We're thrilled to welcome Ms. Melissa to the Cedars class as our Assistant Teacher! Melissa brings a heart full of kindness and a world of experience to the classroom. She has volunteered in early childhood education, helping young learners build strong foundations in English and Math. She’s also supported English language learners at a School for the Blind — an experience that deepened her passion for inclusive and engaging education.
Before joining the world of preschool, Melissa explored the skies as a flight attendant for Emirates Airline, where she mastered the art of communication, patience, and care for people from all walks of life. Now back on the ground, she's excited to share her warmth, creativity, and global perspective with our Cedars class.