Bonnie joins The Goldfinch School with more than 35 years of experience in progressive education as a senior administrator and seasoned educator—most recently, she was the owner and Executive Director of Creative Explorers Preschool in Howard County, Maryland.

Bonnie holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and is herself a natural teacher and lifelong learner—striving to better understand and transform learning environments by facilitating meaningful interactions and reflections among faculty and young students that expand not only their knowledge but their capacity to understand.

Bonnie and her husband have two grown children, and two grandsons. During her free time, Bonnie is also a yoga instructor and outdoor enthusiast.

Sydney grew up on Whidbey Island, where she developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent over 6 years working with young children and their families. Throughout her work, she continues to be inspired by the limitless curiosity and creativity of children.

Sydney is passionate about creating engaging, inclusive early learning environments that are responsive to the unique needs of each child and reflective of the cultures and communities to which they belong. Her work is driven by her belief in the power of high-quality early education though providing a foundation for lifelong learning, empowering children to reach their full potential, and contributing to a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Outside of her work with children, Sydney enjoy spending time outdoors, baking, and caring for her collection of houseplants and three very cuddly cats.

Maggie Breuner is originally from Seattle, and is thrilled to return to her hometown after spending the past five years teaching elementary school in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Maggie holds a BA in the Sociology of Education from Pitzer College and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from Mills College, where she is also currently pursuing her Master’s in Education. She spent five years working with early elementary schoolers in the Bay Area, and most recently served as a Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher at a school specializing in project-based and emergent curricula. This experience further fueled her passion for early childhood education and reinforced her commitment to creating hands-on, exploratory learning experiences.

Maggie loves working with preschoolers because of their boundless curiosity, unique personalities, and the joy they bring to learning and connection. She enjoys integrating her interests in the arts, movement, theater, and literacy into the classroom, with the goal of fostering an environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to express their authentic self.

Outside of teaching, Maggie finds joy in movement, creative expression, gardening, and contributing to spaces that inspire growth and community. She looks forward to partnering with families and children on this educational journey.

Steven has nearly ten years of experience working with children from ages birth to twelve. He has been the Lead Teacher in numerous classrooms while most recently heading a school-age room for the last three years.

His primary goal is to meet each child at their individual stage of development, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where they can flourish as their authentic selves. This commitment drives his daily efforts.

During his tenure at Cornish College of the Arts, he had the opportunity to collaborate with institutions such as Seattle Children’s Theater and 1st and Vine, gaining exposure to diverse life experiences and teaching approaches. This broadened perspective contributes to the toolkit he brings to support children in any way necessary. After earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Theater from Cornish, he pursued further education and now holds a degree in Early Childhood Education.

When he's not enthusiastically participating in classroom dance parties or delving into the deeper meanings of Pete the Cat books with the children he teaches, you can typically find him gracing the Seattle stage as an actor. His involvement includes performances at venues like the Artists of Color Expo, Greenstage, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Breeders Theater, White River Valley, and more. Steven takes immense pride in his Indigenous heritage, being a proud member of both The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and Upper Nicola Band First Nation, and he actively celebrates this heritage at every opportunity.

Kate is a seasoned and passionate educator who brings over 20 years of experience to our community. Originally from Virginia, Kate moved to Seattle in 2002 after completing an adventurous thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Her desire to explore new horizons led her from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, where she has since dedicated herself to nurturing and educating young children.

Kate graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Human Development and completed additional extensive training in Montessori methods at the St. Nicholas Centre in London while working as a nanny. Her academic background, combined with her hands-on experience, has shaped her into a versatile and effective educator.

Throughout her career, Kate has taken on various roles, including Preschool Lead Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, and Administrator within Seattle's early childhood community. Her work is fueled by a deep appreciation for the energy and curiosity found in early childhood classrooms. Kate thrives on the reciprocal relationships she builds with her students, where learning is a shared and joyful experience.

Outside of the classroom, Kate enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband Russ are proud parents to their daughter Mae, who was born in 2012. As a family, they love camping, beach outings, board games, and all things Sherlock Holmes. When she's not teaching, Kate enjoys reading, solving word search puzzles, baking with Mae, quilting, and spending time in the woods.

Liz is originally from the vibrant city of Lima, Perú. Liz's journey has seen her as more than an educator; she was the visionary owner and director of a prominent preschool in Lima. Liz holds a Bachelor's Degree in Educational Sciences and a Masters in Child Psychology.

Liz’s commitment to Early Childhood Education is evident in her ability to create innovative classroom activities, often integrating art to make learning immersive and delightful. She is eager to share her vast expertise, love for children, and passion for learning. With her guidance, each student is poised to flourish as a curious explorer and creative thinker.

Her zeal for teaching is complemented by a rich cultural curiosity. Each new culture she encounters enriches her teaching methods, transforming her classrooms into a diverse hub of ideas and experiences.

Outside the classroom, Liz's passions include indulging in Peruvian culinary delights and dancing salsa.

Breanna is a lifelong Washingtonian who has spent most of her life in Seattle, a city she adores for its breathtaking scenery and changing seasons. With a deep love for the outdoors, she finds joy in the natural beauty that surrounds her. Breanna earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Washington State University in 2020, during which she explored family and relationship counseling, various art media, and Early Childhood Education.

With nearly a decade of experience working with children, Breanna has served as a teacher, summer camp counselor, and nanny, focusing primarily on roles as a Lead School Age Teacher and Lead Toddler Teacher.

She is passionate about her teaching philosophy, which is rooted in nurturing an open-minded, independent, and confident mindset in her students. Breanna is dedicated to helping children develop a strong sense of self and purpose while fostering curiosity and original thought.

Outside the classroom, Breanna enjoys running, taking long walks, and exploring her interests in interior design, fashion, and art projects. She values the time spent with her friends, her partner, and their two beloved cats.

Barbara was born in Switzerland, where she majored in Special Education before emigrating to the Bay Area some thirty years ago. From there, having fallen in love with the West Coast and the ocean, she moved to the PNW with her husband.

Children have always been at the center of her life, at home, where she raised three of them who are now young adults, and during her career as an early childhood teacher. In her work, she strives to be worthy of imitation and hopes to cultivate wonder, reverence and joy through everyday tasks and rhythms. She is passionate about multi-age classrooms and finding ways to support primary caregivers navigate the challenges of their children’s early years.

Currently sort of retired, Barbara splits her time between traveling locally and visiting her family in Switzerland where she delights in speaking her first languages, French and Swiss German, sometimes all mixed up.

When in Seattle, Barbara likes to sew, knit and make dolls or puppets. She can often be found hiking or gardening, when not busy reading.

She is very excited to meet the Goldfinch School community and hopes to be a helpful presence for the children and the staff as a volunteer.

Originally from a small town near Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen in Northern California, Mariann grew up in a family of educators. Her academic pursuits led her to study Biology and Music in Southern California, then to medical school in Wisconsin, culminating in a 31-year career in Family Medicine at the University of Washington. Here, she played an instrumental role in guiding parents and assisting children through their life and health journeys.

Mariann is a dedicated advocate for children, who firmly believes in the adage that it "takes a village" to raise them. Seattle has been her home for many years, and is also where she has raised her 23-year-old daughter. Mariann is also an "Auntie" to many other children and young adults in her community.

Now retired from the University of Washington, Mariann is excited to bring vast experience, commitment to community and education, and her deep-rooted love for children to The Goldfinch School.

Fred grew up just outside of Washington DC, where he spent his childhood exploring nature, playing sports, and managing a paper route. He studied blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and Woods Hole, MA, before earning his PhD in Biochemistry.

Fred dedicated 40 years of his career in Public Health to serving as a Senior Scientist and Chief of Scientific Research with the US Government. He recently retired from his role as Global Head at PATH in Seattle. Throughout his career, Fred's curiosity about the world around him never waned.

Passionate about education, Fred emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, with even the youngest students. He is dedicated to creating opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and think critically.

Outside of his professional life, Fred enjoys bicycling, hiking, traveling, songwriting, and yoga. He resides in Edmonds, WA with his wife, Bonnie, and often spends time with his two grown children and two grandsons.

Charlotte was born and raised in Philadelphia and spent her high school years in Belgium. She graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Psychology, and went on to take additional Child Development courses at Vanderbilt University and has spent the last few years teaching Kindergarten in Nashville’s public schools.

Charlotte is inspired by The Goldfinch School’s play-based approach to learning, blended curriculum, and commitment to creating a community of joy, learning, and growth for little ones.

In her free time Charlotte is a freelance painter and ceramist. She can also be found enjoying the company of her partner and her French Bulldog, Murphy, reading, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Joseph was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland and French is his native language. Joseph has been teaching language for many years and has worked with preschoolers through high schoolers.

In addition to being a language teacher, Joseph is a French/English translator and translates correspondences and protocols for scientists. Joseph is also an active volunteer at multiple schools and enjoys spending time with his daughter.