Academy Teachers are dedicated and enthusiastic educators. Their goal is to build each student's self confidence, while providing them with the tools necessary to continue their education in a confident and positive manner.

Mukilteo Academy admits children and staff of any race, religion, creed, handicap, or ethnic origin.

Philosophy about Teaching and Classroom Goals
As a teacher I believe it is my responsibility to empower children so they become confident, self directed individuals. I believe this can take place by enhancing children's self-esteem through praising, giving responsibility, providing choices, showing children their strengths, valuing children and their families, allowing for mistakes and implementing times for success. I believe children learn and grow through an enriching, safe, learning environment. Academics are an important element in a child's development but I also believe a child's social and emotional well being is equally as important. When a child's self esteem is soaring I believe this is when children are able to excel to their fullest academic ability.

Classroom Curriculum
We have adopted the Open Court Kindergarten reading curriculum. This task is completed through teacher directed activities and through small group settings using parent volunteers. Along with Open Court, I strive to implement lots of experiences with reading, writing, comprehension skills and language art activities. We complete class books that are based upon literature we have read and discussed within the classroom. Implementing the proper formation of letters and numbers is also taught using Zaner-Bloser handwriting. Theme based books are completed throughout the year on subjects such as the solar system, dental hygiene, the 5 senses and the first Thanksgiving. Fun reading adventures that the children become involved in consist of our March-Read-A-Thon, Author of the Month and May Read-A-Loud months.

The math curriculum we use encompasses Everday Math and we supplement learning through Scott Foresman. Along with these programs, I also provide experiences with more in-depth focus on subtracting, graphing, tallying, adding, time and money. Through hands on enriching activities children learn an array of important academic skills.

Exciting Things That Happen in Kindergarten
Kindergarteners have the opportunity to be the VIP (Very Important Person) for an entire week. This involves children embellishing a poster all about themselves and builds children's awareness of their peers along with allowing for their own self esteem to blossom. We celebrate children's birthdays throughout the year. They provide treats of their choice and we in return complete a class book full of wishes for them. During the school year we partake in several field trips such as going to the pumpkin farm, Mukilteo Library, Everett PUD theatre, and Meadowdale Beach Hike. Class parties consist of our Halloween, Holiday, Valentines and 100th day of school celebration. Parent volunteers help during all of these activities and the children come away from these events holding lifelong memories. When children become Kindergartners they also have the opportunity during music to learn a musical instrument, the recorder. At the end of the year they show off their talent during an all school musical performance. During this time parents and children also receive Kindergarten portfolios. Portfolios are a wonderful way to see your child's growth and progress over time.

Personal
When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our little boy, Kaleb. Along with spending time with family and friends I also love taking walks, working out, scrapbooking, vacationing and playing games.

Contact information:
MrsDeRousse@mukilteoacademy.com
425.347.3665 ext 3

PreKindergarten is such an exciting year of growing and learning. The goal of PreKindergarten is to give the children all of the tools they need to be successful Kindergartners. We focus on a letter of the week through activities, math, science, art, pre-reading and sign language. I always have had a love for children! Even in high school I worked at a childcare center after school. I then moved to Japan where I worked at Camp Zama preschool and childcare center. After having my first child and moving back to the U.S, I was a stay at home mom for 8 ½ years.

I am married to a wonderful man named Mike and have 3 children: Louden, Madison and Mackenzie. We love to travel, being outdoors, and spending time with our family and friends.

I look forward to being a part of your child’s educational life.

Contact information:
MsKristi@mukilteoacademy.com
425.347.3665 ext 4

I graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1985 with my K-8 teaching certificate. I always wanted to be a teacher. I taught at Brighton, a private school in Lynnwood for 18 years. It was an honor and privilege to teach so many students over the years. I always tried to instill in each student a love and joy for learning. I loved teaching both Kindergarten and First Grade during that time.

I have been married to my husband for over 20 years and we have 2 wonderful children. My hobbies include reading, cooking, traveling, and many outdoor activities with my family. We especially love to spend time at our beach house on Whidbey Island.

Teaching continues to be an exciting and rewarding career for me. I feel that Mukilteo Academy is a very positive learning community. I am excited about this upcoming school year and am looking forward to working, sharing, and growing with the team at our school.

I am married and have 3 children, 2 daughters and a son. I have lived in the Seattle area all my life and have enjoyed its beauty and rain. I enjoy walking and going on educational vacations. In more recent years my extended family has grown and includes 7 grandchildren! My time away from school is busy with my family who give me a lot of joy!

Contact information:
Misssue@mukilteoacademy.com
425.347.3665 ext 7

Prior to becoming a Mom I taught Kindergarten for six years in both California and Oregon. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana.

As a Kindergarten teacher, I always felt the Arts were such an important part of a child’s academics. I was trained in Mona Brookes' Monart for Children as well as Meet the Masters.

I am so proud to be a part of Mukilteo Academy as it is such a unique and special school which sees the importance of teaching to the ‘whole’ child: academically, socially and artistically. It is a treat to go in each classroom and see what ‘masterpieces’ they produce.

Aside from teaching, I am married to my husband Josh and have two great daughters, who occupy a lot of my time. I love to knit and shop and I have a new addiction to couponing.

Beginning in Preschool, the staff at Mukilteo Academy places great value in teaching our students to be good friends to each other, to make good choices regarding themselves, and to always do their best work. These lessons continue on through PreKindergarten and Kindergarten. Learning these life skills at an early age helps our students to become self-confident in many areas of their lives. Our teachers are also constantly researching and creating new and inventive ways to make learning fun and exciting. I feel this instills a love of learning and knowledge in our students.

When I’m not working I enjoy gardening, reading, exercise and spending time with my family. I have been married for 10 years and have a wonderful 5 year old daughter named Quinn.

Contact information:
MsYana@mukilteoacademy.com
425.347.3665 ext 8