We take pride in our highly educated, experienced, and dedicated team of early childhood educators.
At Seattle Learning Center, we believe that the quality of a child’s early learning experience is closely connected to the education, training, and experience of the teachers caring for them. All of our lead teachers hold either a bachelor’s degree, a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, or a master’s degree. Our assistant and support teachers also have bachelor’s degrees or are currently working toward completing their degrees. In addition to their formal education, many of our teachers bring years of hands-on experience working with young children in group-care and early learning environments.
Research in early childhood education consistently supports the importance of knowledgeable, well-prepared, and experienced educators. Teachers with strong training in child development are better equipped to understand developmental milestones, create meaningful learning experiences, guide children’s behavior appropriately, support social-emotional development, and respond to the individual needs of children within a group setting.
For families, this means your child is being cared for by educators who bring both professional knowledge and practical experience to the classroom. We value the expertise of our teaching team and encourage families to view their child’s teachers as trusted partners in their child’s development and education.
In reviewing the information below, note the extensive experience and education of our staff. We pride ourselves in having low turnover with our teachers and admin!
LILY TALLEY – Owner and Executive Director – Founded SLC in 2009
Miss Lily has worked with children and families for more than 20 years, with experience spanning infancy through high school. She is a state-approved early education trainer and an adjunct faculty member at Seattle Community College, where she teaches courses in behavior guidance, infant and toddler development, and special education.
Miss Lily holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, a master’s degree in education from University College London, and a diploma in business administration. She also holds degrees in education, history, and economics from De La Salle University in the Philippines. In addition, she is a certified teacher in both the United Kingdom and Washington State.
Miss Lily is deeply passionate about early learning and has dedicated her professional life to supporting children, families, and educators. Her work reflects a strong commitment to child development, play-based learning, teacher development, and high-quality early childhood education.
Miss Lily is also a proud SLC parent. Her daughter is a graduate of Seattle Learning Center, and her husband, Brandon, helps support the operations of SLC’s Montlake location. For Miss Lily, working with children is not simply a profession, it is her life’s work.
KELSEY GROOTSKY – Billing Specialist (2020 to present)
Miss Kelsey has a bachelors in literature and cultures with a minor in writing from UC Merced. She worked in office positions in the fields of engineering, technology and insurance for 7 years. But her whole life she has cherished any time spent with children through family and friends, volunteer opportunities and organized playgroups. Miss Kelsey was a teacher in the Maple classroom for 2.5 years after completing practicum hours at SLC and earned her ECE Initial State and Short certificates. She then filled the role of Executive Assistant for 3+ years before transitioning to our Billing Specialist and consultant role in order to pursue a career in business and finance. She loves experiencing the world alongside the joy and energy of kids and guiding them towards the best life each individual can live. Miss Kelsey likes reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, going on walks with her husband and playing with their tabby cat.
BRANDON TALLEY – School Administrator and Support Teacher (2014 to present)
Mr. Brandon is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked in the banking and financial industry until he decided to work at SLC full-time. Brandon is in charge of managing SLC’s billing, administrative paperwork and book keeping. He also takes care of the school building’s maintenance. Brandon is married to Miss Lily and they have a daughter who is a graduate of SLC. He loves to bike, hike, read books, and have fun in the outdoors.
Queen Anne Staff
TERRI BURNEY- Rainbow Class Lead Teacher (2016 to present)
Miss Terri has worked with infants and toddlers for over forty years. She has acquired a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate and continues to complete various courses about early learning. She loves children of all ages and has worked at multiple highly accredited centers both as a teacher and an administrator. Miss Terri strives to create strong bonds with the children in her care and encourages family involvement as much as possible. She is a children’s book author and has published two books, Long and Tall and What Can Toddlers Do.
SAVANNAH GILBOA– Garden Class Co-Lead Teacher and Administrative Coordinator (2021 to present)
Before SLC, Miss Savannah worked with early learners at a play-based learning facility on the east side of King County since she moved to WA in 2018. She has a bachelor’s of science in behavioral health and a master’s of science in early childhood education and special education. She lives in the Fremont neighborhood, loves exploring Seattle, visiting the coast and crafting with her partner. Miss Savannah is grateful to work with early learners and be a facilitator who guides them through critical stages of their development. When working with children, her goal is to help them hone their natural desire to learn in a loving and safe environment.
RENU SHARMA – Treehouse Class Co-Lead Teacher (2021 to present)
Miss Renu has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in sociology from India. With over six years of experience working in a structured preschool, she also operated a family child care in California for five years. She enjoys working with children, motivating and stimulating their learning and learning from them, as well. She loves spending time with her students and supporting their curiosity and love of learning.
RACHEL RODRIGUEZ – Sunshine Class Lead Teacher and Program Coordinator (2023 to present)
Miss Rachel has a bachelor’s in public health from Texas A&M University, a master’s in healthcare administration from University of Texas, as well as multiple ECE credits from UW and John Logan College. She has over five years of experience working in the childcare field as an infant and toddler teacher and was recently an assistant director in a large childcare center in Illinois before moving to Seattle to join her sister. She enjoys spending time at home crafting and exploring what her new city offers.
JAIDEN HOYT – Treehouse Class Co-Lead Teacher (2023 to present)
Miss Jaiden has a bachelor of arts in human development with a concentration in early childhood from California State University. She has 3 years experience working with children and is very excited to be back in the classroom! She loves how children express themselves in so many different ways and enjoys supporting them as they explore their own development. Miss Jaiden likes sewing, caring for her plants and hopes to adopt a cat in the near future.
BRITTNEY MUNS – Garden Class Co-Lead Teacher (2024 to present)
Miss Brittney has been part of the Seattle Learning Center team for three years. SLC was her first professional teaching position, and during her time with us, she has continued to grow her knowledge and experience as an early childhood educator. She earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in October 2024 and is currently taking online Early Childhood Education courses to further strengthen her understanding of child development and teaching practices.
Miss Brittney also holds a bachelor’s degree in Digital Arts. Before beginning her teaching career, she gained experience caring for children as a nanny and also brings the perspective of being a parent to her five-year-old daughter.
Miss Brittney especially loves young children’s imaginations, their enthusiasm for life, and the wonderfully humorous ways they see and make sense of the world. She enjoys creating opportunities for children to explore, be creative, and express themselves through play.
She lives in Burien with her husband, daughter, and pets. Outside of SLC, Miss Brittney enjoys hiking and camping with her family, as well as sewing and other creative crafts.
ANUSHRI PRAKASH – Sunshine Class Co-Lead Teacher (2024 to present)
Miss Anushri has a degree in pharmaceuticals and taught university students in India. Then she discovered her love of working with children to make learning fun and enjoys being around their excitement and amazement for everything. Miss Anushri has experience working with kids in a Montessori center and has worked with all ages from toddlers through early grade school. In her free time, Miss Anushri likes to sing and dance.
EVETTE AMURAO – Support Teacher (2024 to present)
Miss Evette is studying at Seattle Pacific University to earn her bachelors in psychology. She has experience teaching English and writing in a summer program at Manumalo Academy in America Samoa. Miss Evette loves the energy of kids and how working with them makes her feel young. In her spare time, you can find Miss Evette dancing. She is the president of the university dance club and she also practices ukelele and drums.
CHRISTINE ELAYDA – Support Teacher (2024 to present)
Miss Christine is studying at Seattle Pacific University to earn her bachelors in nursing. She has experience teaching songs, games and crafts to elementary students about the ecosystem and coral reefs of Guam, where she is from. Miss Christine loves the curiosity of children and learning something new from them every day. She likes to walk and hike in nature, cooking, baking, weightlifting and trying new restaurants.
VERONICA ANDERSON – Garden Class Support Teacher (2024 to present)
Miss Veronica is studying at Seattle Pacific University to earn her bachelors in psychology with a minor in communication. She has experience working with kids through the Pacific Science Center and Washington Athletic Club summer programs. Miss Veronica enjoys seeing children master skills and abilities over time and finds it rewarding to observe students build confidence and independence. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies and playing with her dog named Bear.
VALERIE GONZALEZ – Support Teacher (2025 to present)
Miss Valerie is a recent graduate of Seattle Pacific University and she works at SLC as our full-time support teacher in charge of kitchen management and closing duties.
Montlake Staff
MARISSA HERRERA – Assistant Maple Class Teacher and Cook (2014 to present)
Miss Marissa has been with SLC for over 12 years! She is the reason why the children at SLC are well fed with healthy food. Every meal is made with love and made from scratch. She also has a strong knack and magic with calming down babies. Her early morning greetings and high fives are every SLC kid’s fond memory. She is an SLC treasure! Miss Marissa grew up in the Philippines and she speaks Filipino. She has three adult children and two grandchildren, her family resides all over the world. She worked as a cook in various restaurants before working at SLC. She loves to travel and cook.
RAQUEL RELATADO – Maple Class Lead Teacher (2019 to present)
Miss Raquel has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mindanao State University and an early childhood certificate from Edmonds College. She has been with SLC for over 7 years! Miss Raquel moved to Seattle in the summer of 2019. Before that, she lived in the Philippines and owned and operated her fish, rice, and fruit farm. Miss Raquel lives in Central Seattle with her husband and two teenage children.
AUBREY MCCANN – Willow Class Co-Lead Teacher and Program Coordinator (2023 to present)
Miss Aubrey is originally from New Jersey. She has a degree in fashion studies from Montclair State University and brought over 8 years of experience working with children before SLC. Through that time she was a kindergarten and pre-k teacher. Miss Aubrey loves working with kids because of their fun and creative energy. She enjoys supporting their growth and learning every day.
RENEE AREVALOS – Willow Class Co-Lead Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator (2024 to present)
Miss Renee lives in Crown Hill with her husband and son who will be graduating in 2024 at the University of Washington. Miss Renee brings over 20 years of experience to SLC. She has a bachelors in early childhood education and has recently worked with toddlers while she has experience working with all age groups. Miss Renee enjoys working with young minds because of their authenticity, curiosity, lightheartedness and unbounding joy.
TAMMY TOMONO – Assistant Teacher (2017 to present)
Miss Tammy has worked for SLC as an infant-toddler teacher, preschool teacher and enrichment instructor since 2017. She has a bachelors in child development and a masters in special education. She has returned as an assistant teacher in our Maple classroom primarily! Miss Tammy loves sharing her knowledge of cultures and language, and inspiring children to pursue their curiosities and interests. Miss Tammy lives in Federal Way with her husband and enjoys traveling in her free time.
MAYA ANDERSON – Willow Class Co-Teacher (2025 to present)
Miss Maya has a degree from the University of Washington. This is her first teaching job and she loves working with the kiddos and seeing them grow. She is currently taking ECE classes online.
CLEO KIMIROP – Maple Class Assistant Teacher (2025 to present)
Miss Cleo holds a degree from an Oregon univeristy. This is her first teaching job and she loves working with the infants and toddlers. She is currently exploring completing a nursing degree.
KAYCEE FRENCH – Maple Class Assistant Teacher (2026 to present)
Miss Kaycee holds a degree from the University of Washington. She has worked with children as a nanny, babysitter, and language teacher. She speaks Spanish and is very excited to work with toddlers.
BRANDON TALLEY – School Administrator and Support Teacher (2014 to present)
Mr. Brandon is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He worked in the banking and financial industry until he decided to work at SLC full-time. Brandon is in charge of managing SLC Montlake’s administrative paperwork and book keeping. He also takes care of the school building’s maintenance. Brandon is married to Miss Lily and they have a daughter who is a graduate of SLC. He loves to bike, hike, read books, and have fun in the outdoors.