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
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
Originally from San Diego, I have been in Seattle the past six years and have come to love it. Exploring the city and parks with my husband and trusty pup Lupa is my favorite pastime, but I also love painting, movies, and finding good vegan food.
I began teaching with TCS in 2020 where I entered the North Seattle Early Childhood Education program, then continued on to graduate in ECE from the UW in 2023. Growing in my education and my teaching has been a great joy, and led to opening my afternoon program Bigleaf with the support of TCS. Working with children means consistently being able to grow as a teacher and learn from them, plus all the spontaneous moments of fun and laughter is a great bonus.
KIANA JOHNSON
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/THEY
Teacher Kiana was born and raised in the Seattle area. She moved to Bellingham, WA after graduating high school, where she started her career in early education in a church nursery followed by a YMCA preschool as an assistant teacher and substitute teacher for infants through age 5. During that time, she also obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration and Personal Training Certificate. After moving back to Seattle, she obtained her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and started a personal training business, which she continues to run in the evenings. In her free time she enjoys working out, cooking, camping, hiking, and traveling to visit friends and family.
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.
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.