tcs TEAM
We are passionate about teaching and learning, our teachers are curious, caring, reliable, thoughtful, and fun people who are excited about their vocation and the potential of young children. We see value in each experience and we are open-minded and ready for new challenges each day.
Meet our Board of Directors
FRANCINE PELAEZ (FRANI)
DIRECTOR
SHE/HER
Francine “Frani“ Pelaez has served in several leadership roles including as the Center Director, mentor teacher, and curriculum specialist at the University of Washington Child Care Center, and a trainer for the American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Certification Program. She has been a coach for the Early Achievers program, helping other ECE professionals meet state guidelines through mentorship. Frani holds a B.A. in American Culture Studies from Western Washington University and a Master of Education from Concordia University Portland, she loves helping children learn and mentoring teachers.
Frani grew up in Seattle with a big extended family around. Her dad emigrated from Bolivia in the early 60’s and was soon followed by the rest of his family. Her grandparents opened a restaurant in Pike Place Market in the mid 60’s and it is still there today! When not working Frani loves to spend time with family and friends, and especially her cat Douglas Fur (Doug).
HANNAH MAHER
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/THEY
Teacher Hannah originally hails from the Minneapolis area and moved to Seattle in 2017. They hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. In their last year of school they found their calling in early childhood education after taking a job as a teacher’s aide at a preschool down the street from their apartment. Since then, they have worked in assistant teacher and lead teacher positions, including a year at a school fully outdoors. They are passionate about social-emotional learning, anti-bias education, and ensuring that everyone who comes into their classroom feels safe and comfortable there. In their free time, Hannah can usually be found cozied up with a good book, at the ice rink practicing with their synchronized skating team, or enjoying family time with their partner, Nick, and spunky heeler mix, Tasca.
TARYN MCGRATH
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/HER
Teacher Taryn, originally from San Diego CA, has been exploring the Seattle area for the last few years. While originally studying Graphic Design in Los Angeles, upon moving to Seattle she decided to move into a career she was truly passionate about, early learning. With the past couple years spent as a lead teacher for a multi-age program, she is excited to focus her attention on our 3-5 year olds and jump into play-based and emergent learning. She is currently furthering her education through North Seattle College in Early Childhood Education, and actively implementing ideas she has learned through this into her teaching style, such as anti-bias education and guidance in the classroom. She uses her love of art, stories, and nature to fuel the lessons made to actively engage her kids.
KIANA JOHNSON
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/THEY
Kiana was born and raised in Seattle, WA. They moved to Bellingham, WA where they started their career in early education in a church nursery followed by a YMCA preschool as an assistant toddler teacher and substitute teacher. At the same time, they started their undergraduate program in business administration as well as becoming a certified personal trainer. They now run a personal training business in downtown Seattle and are nearing the end of their Master of Education in Early Childhood program, to be followed up by a teaching certification. In their free time they enjoy cooking, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
JENNIFER GRENAN
ASSISTANT TEACHER
SHE/HER
Jennifer was born and raised in Washington State, and has been a Seattlite since 1992, graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in Art History. She spent many years working as a volunteer in pre-school, elementary and middle school classes. Now that her boys are older, She realizes this is the perfect time to go back into the classroom to work with young children, preparing them for the beginning of their educational journey.
When Jennifer is not in the classroom, she enjoys running, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Jennifer is married and has three boys, ranging from 20 to 14, and her sweet English lab Olive.
MONI MCFADDEN
ART TEACHER
SHE/HER
I have a BA from the University of Washington (Journalism) and a Master’s Degree in ESL/Bilingual Education from Heritage University. I have spent most of my career teaching English to immigrants and art to young people. I taught in a community college setting for 15 years, then a nonprofit (Literacy Source) for 3 years. I also ran an ArtsVan summer and afterschool program at Allied Arts of Yakima for several years before moving back to my hometown of Seattle in 2016. I teach yoga (mostly prenatal, postnatal, gentle, and Baby&Me) at Aditi and 8 Limbs Yoga.
I am a married mother of two (ages 23 and 26), artist, and teacher. I love doing yoga, creating, and doing anything outside, including biking, hiking, walking, paddleboarding, fishing, skiing, and more! In my free time I love volunteering at the Ballard Food Bank, making art for my upcoming art shows (mostly watercolor), cooking, and spending time with family and friends. I love to travel, have adventures, and live in the moment.
YASNA KOUHI
ASSISTANT TEACHER
SHE/HER
Teacher Yasna was born In Herat, Afghanistan and shortly after moved to Seattle, WA in 2008. She’s been living in Seattle ever since where she has graduated High school and is continuing her studies in Communication at Seattle Central College. Teaching wasn’t ultimately what Yasna believed she wanted to do for her career, she was introduced to the idea by her mother who needed extra assistance at the TCS summer camp during the summer of 2023. By simply lending a hand as a float teacher twice a week, Yasna started falling in love with the environment. As time went by TCS needed more help and she found herself offering more of her time by being hired on as a part time float teacher which now has translated to an assistant teacher position. Her love of working with kids and teaching really was all because of TCS and the wonderful community she’s found around her.
During her spare time, Yasna loves to paint and spend as much time outdoors.
CYD PAIVA
EXPLORE A STORY TEACHER
SHE/HER
Cyd was born in Fall River, MA, went to college in Bristol, RI and moved to Seattle in 1987 to be part of the (then) thriving theatre community. Having taught drama classes in Rhode Island, Cyd continued teaching in private and public schools. When she began working in preschools, she loved working with the little ones so much she went back to school and earned her Washington State Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education. She's been working with young children, ever since. In college Cyd majored in theatre and minored in education and has extensive experience as an actor, director, and teacher. She loves working with young children, especially, because they are still full of wonder, have vivid and accessible imaginations, and freely express themselves without being self conscious. Cyd retired from teaching last year but isn't quite ready to say goodbye to the little ones so she is returning to TCS with Explore A Story, an enhanced, movement based, story time experience. In her free time, Cyd loves treasure hunting at yard sales, estate sales, Goodwill, and flea markets. She also spends time paper crafting, waiting for Autumn so she can go on long walks, swimming and water aerobics, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
CODY CORDERO
ASSISTANT TEACHER
HE/THEY
Teacher Cody was born in Seattle, and has lived here his whole life (aside from a recent year in Champaign, IL). He holds a B.S. in Psychology from Western Washington University, and an A.A. from Shoreline Community College. As an older sibling with many cousins and niblings, Cody has been caring for kids his whole life. As an adult exploring different fields (from shoe retail to personal injury law), he still nannied part-time. In Champaign, he found his passion as an assistant teacher in a preschool classroom.
Being queer and neurodivergent, Cody values the opportunity to foster an environment of curiosity and compassion in which all young minds can safely grow. He loves to create learning experiences through music, creative play, and sensory exploration. Outside of teaching, Cody enjoys writing, gaming, and exploring the many parks and museums in the Puget Sound area. He can often be found snuggling his two cats, Harley and Macaroni.
ANA FLORES
PROGRAM MANAGER
SHE/HER
Teacher Ana grew up in Guadalajara Mexico, and moved to Seattle in 2017. Ana has a B.S. in Software Engineering; during college she worked as a math tutor with elementary students and found her true calling as an educator. She worked as a programer for a few years and continued studying to get her M.A. in Education, with a focus on cognitive development.
Since then she has worked as a math, programing and robotics teacher with students from Pre-K to elementary (In Mexico), and as a Pre-K Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher (in Seattle). She strives to facilitate intrinsic learning through play and exploration. In her free time she enjoys swimming, singing and playing with her daughter, especially sensory play.
TALI ILKOVITCH
FLOAT TEACHER
THEY/THEM
Tali Ilkovitch, originally from the D.C. area (Piscataway land), moved to Seattle (Duwamish land) in 2023 after recieving their B.S. in Natural Resources and Ethnic Studies from Oregon State University. They began teaching because they wanted a job that would allow them to give back to their community in a direct way. They began their work with preschoolers substituting at TCS and also teaches at an after-school performing arts program for elementary schoolers. Tali values fostering an environment where children feel safe and empowered, and is passionate about emphasizing anti-racism and accessibility in the classroom.
Outside the classroom, Tali can be found writing punk music, playing guitar, hiking in the woods, crocheting, painting, protesting injustice, and taking care of their pet corn snake, Kashmir.