Office Team
Kelly Davidson, Executive Director
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2021
Kelly has worked with children and families as a teacher, a parent educator, and director of early learning programs at colleges and school districts around Puget Sound, learning something new from every person and every community. She joined PMCCP because all children and families are welcomed, and all teachers are given the group sizes, ratios, and planning time to offer high quality early learning, including integrating anti-bias education and responsive, reflective curriculum. Kelly is inspired by and grateful for the community of people who cared for her and her sisters growing up and the communities of people who helped her care for her own children.
My best Saturday morning: Exploring beaches with my toddler grandson, noticing what he notices
A happy childhood memory: Making surprise art and gifts out of random materials
Touchstone quote: “Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to forever have your heart walking around outside your body.” - Elizabeth Stone
Lesa Valenzuela, Education Coordinator
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2001
Lesa earned her BA and most recently her MA in Early Childhood Education, so in addition to her years of experience, brings expertise in understanding child development, creating strategies to meet up with diverse learners and engaging families to partner toward optimum outcomes for children in kindergarten and beyond. Lesa has devoted over two decades to PMCCP because she has a deep commitment to the mission of equity in access to high quality early learning. Her contributions are many, and include asking challenging questions to help translate organizational values into the work of PMCCP towards a culture of belonging and a practice of anti-bias education.
Outside of school: you will find me spending time with my 10 year old daughter, my husband and best friend, Jeff, and our silly loveable dogs.
Moment I knew Early Learning was my calling: Volunteering at a Head Start after I finished art school
Earliest and fondest childhood memory: Making tortillas beside my grandmother who guided and included me while making it fun - and delicious!
Erika Johnson, Program Manager
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2015
Erika has her AA in Early Childhood Education and has worked in Early Learning for over 30 years. Whether holding a baby who is experiencing the first days of care away from home, or welcoming families learning about PMCCP, Erika’s goal is that they know they are truly seen, heard, and respected. She credits her Gramma for teaching her that kind of unconditional love. Erika loves being invited into children’s amazing imaginations, looking for the moment their face lights up with new knowledge, and the sound of children laughing!
In my free time: I like Singing and Acting
I like to share about: My pet Russian Tortise, Zoey
My next goal: to get a BA in ECE
Jordan Billingsley
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2022
After high school, Jordan worked for 6 years at school that was based in outdoor education, Reggio-inspired and emergent curriculum. She was inspired by the children she cared for to pursue an AA in Early Childhood Education and is now at work on her BA! She values the mission of PMCCP, including anti-bias education, and hopes to serve and support this community in a way that everyone feels safe and loved.
As a child: I was lucky to have the freedom to try things on my own and be given space and support to pursue my interests.
My free time fun: Travel and trying new foods
Three things that make me happy: My cat, my music and my coffee!
Ezilia Del Rio,
Nutrition Coordinator
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since August 2017
Ezilia brings her experience in kitchens, farms, and parenting to creating homecooked, international meals, “cooked with love”. She previously taught Food Science and Culinary Art students at South Seattle College, and now puts her focus on our young students, creating meals for healthy children and a healthy planet. As a child, Ezilia was drawn to engaging with nature, and learning about plants from her older sister. Ezilia loves her work serving children and families at PMCCP, but her sweet place on earth is Ecuador.
Three things that make me happy: Love, Clean Air, and Water.
Most inspired by: My Amish grandmother
My retirement plan: To live on a multigenerational permaculture farm in Intag Cloud Forest of Ecuador, away from technology, with a donkey instead of a car.
Fran Davidson, PMCCP Coach
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 1991
Fran’s affiliation with PMCCP began in 1991 when then ED Ilene Stark hired her as the Anti-Bias Curriculum Coach. She returned several times before being hired in 2012 to work with ED Ellen Greene and Education Coordinator Lesa Valenzuela to guide the process of rooting Child Centered Reflective Practice Through the Lens of Cultural Relevancy/Anti-Bias into the daily life of the program. Since 1975, Fran has worked with young children, their families and the teachers of young children, infusing all her work with the issues of cultural-relevance and anti-bias. Fran has taught early childhood and human development classes for Seattle Central College, Pacific Oaks College Northwest, Bellevue College and the University of Washington. She is the co-author, with Ann Pelo of That’s Not Fair! A Teacher’s Guide to Activism with Young Children.
Teaching Team
“PMCCP teachers were unbelievably supportive. When I've had any problems come up, the teachers were actively there to help me problem solve.”
Ashlyn
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2016
Ashlyn always knew she wanted to create and foster a space where every person, big or small, feels welcomed, loved, and celebrated for exactly who they are. She was inspired by her mom who had an in-home child care center while she was growing up. Ashlyn went on to get her AA in ECE. She is a voracious reader and will find time to read every day, theatrically to children and for pleasure for herself.
Three things I love: Macarons, the beach, and a satisfying twist ending in a fantasy book
Childhood memory: Climbing - everything! Trees, fences, and kitchen counters…
Favorite time of day: I love mornings, and making sure children and families have a warm welcome when they arrive at school.
Audrey
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2021
Audrey has a BA in Psychology and was especially interested in the neuroscience of language development in children. Audrey speaks 3 languages, though not (yet!) fluently, in addition to English: Lakota, Japanese and Korean. She is proud of her multi-racial identity, of engaging in Indigenous activism, and of her interest in empowering others to build mental health. She sees this as very important in the early childhood years. At PMCCP, she especially loves to read and play with children.
I am inspired by: My two little brothers - taking care of them as young children taught me how to appreciate kids’ unique brilliance and kind hearts.
Favorite place to be: I am always relaxed when I am around any body of water.
Three things that make me happy: My dog Chamomile, good food, and koalas!
Banchu
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since November 2014
Banchu’s sister-in-law inspired her to work in early learning and introduced her to PMCCP. Banchu remembers feeling right away it was the perfect fit. She felt a sense of community and a place where she could share her culture in an open and inclusive environment. To prepare for teaching, she trained in RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers). Banchu was born and raised in Ethiopia and speaks Amharic in addition to English. As a child, her favorite activity was to play outside with her friends, and now her favorite moment of the school day is taking the children to the playground. Banchu has two daughters she adores and so has a deep empathy for parents, knowing how much they care about their child’s health and happiness!
Free time Fun: Gardening (mostly flowers) and Cooking (my best dish is Shiro wat stew)
Favorite Place in the World: my hometown, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Happy Classroom Moment: To see a toddler lovingly care for and dress a baby doll.
Bianka
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2022
Bianka joined PMCCP to unite her two passions of early childhood education and anti-bias/anti-racist activism. Bianka is proud of her beginnings in a preschool in San Jose, and graduating as a first-generation college graduate with a BA in Sociology with a concentration in Reformative Justice and a minor in Ethnic Studies. She has spent the greater part of the last decade working with at-risk students aged preschool to high school, as well as empowering primarily Latinx immigrant parents through community organizing surrounding school district-wide issues.
Three things that make me happy: Sunshine, riding the ferry each day, and seeing wild animals in their natural habitats.
In my free time: I enjoy birding, walks on the beach on Bainbridge, kayaking, and visiting my neighbors’ chickens.
My favorite moment in the day: when everyone begins waking up from nap time!
Bua
They/them
PMMCP Community Member since 2019
As a working parent, Bua appreciates the sense of community and care she found at PMCCP, both for her and for her daughter who became a PMCCP student at the same time. Bua brings her experience with RIE and Montessori approaches, as well as a passion for community organizing. As a child, she loved when she was able to use her imagination, to dream and build another world. Inside her classroom, her goal is to build a safe welcoming community for all children and families.
My favorite place in the classroom: In the cozy story area, snuggled up reading to kids
My professional goal: To finish school to be an early childhood administrator and a family resource
Biggest dream already come true: My daughter!
Charu
She/her
PMCCP Community Member Since 2005
In addition to her AA in Early Childhoood Education and her years of teaching, Charu is also the proud parent of a PMCCP alumni! Every day Charu looks for all the learning that happens, not only teacher to child, but child to teacher and child to child. She loves getting to know each child more deeply in the drama areas, as they demonstrate their understanding of the world, making meaning and testing theories as they develop relationships.
What PMCCP means to me: This place is where I feel home away from my home, and has shown me an amazing path of friendship, support and teamwork.
Three things that make me happy: Sunshine, the chirping of birds and spicy food!
Favorite places: Coldwater Creek by Mount St. Helens and Oneonta Gorge near Portland.
Crystal
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2021
Before moving to Seattle Crystal studied child development at Irvine College in California and loved learning to create fun, engaging, and nurturing experiences and environments for children. She believes children learn best when they are in joyful play and have strong relationships. Crystal came to PMCCP because of the importance the school puts on diversity and anti-bias curriculum and providing quality education to all kinds of families, and hopes families can tell that she is thrilled to be working with their children every day, and watching them grow and blossom!
My favorite place in the world: Yosemite National Park
My free time fun: Hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and spending time with family
Three joys: Nature, music, friends
Evan
He/him
PMCCP Community Member since 2014
Evan attended Olympic College to get his AA in Early Childhood Education and was inspired and encouraged by both his teachers and the lead teachers at the campus childcare center. When he visited PMCCP he knew it was the place he wanted to teach. Evan creates fun and learning by being adaptive and flexible as a teacher, and by being attentive to children’s perspectives in their conversation and play. He likes to learn what children are drawn to and remembers by Kindergarten he already knew how much he loved sports, especially basketball.
A children’s book I relate to: Frog & Toad, because of their friendship dynamic and the situations they get themselves into
My favorite part of the classroom schedule: Mealtimes - because of the laughter, curiosity, and joy that come from our conversations while we eat
Free time fun: Being silly and sharing a good laugh with my kid, Evelyn!
Hannah
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since Summer of 2018
Hannah grew up on a farm in Tennessee and also spending time with special rights children in her Nana’s classroom. She believes in creating learning experiences and environments that are developmentally appropriate and individualized to the child and their experiences, cultures, interests, and needs. In 2021 Hannah earned her BA in Early Care and Education from the University of Washington, and plans to further her education in the near future!
My priority as a teacher: That children and families can bring their authentic selves and feel represented and valued within the classroom.
A favorite childhood memory: Swimming in the creek near Nana’s house, with butterflies all around me, smelling honeysuckle in the air and enjoying watermelon from the garden
For fun: I am learning how to mend and create clothing on my sewing machine- I love thrifting textiles and giving them a whole new life!
Lou
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since April 2017
Lou’s first inspiration to be a teacher for young children was her mom, who cared for a lot of the neighborhood children. Lou volunteered at a preschool that was in her high school, then worked at the college’s child care center while she was earning her AA in Early Childhood Education. Lou followed her brother Evan to PMCCP because the mission and the warm sense of community felt just right. In the classroom, Lou loves the art area, seeing children collaborating to create something beautiful together.
Three Joys: Playing ukelele, the first sip of coffee in the morning, spring sunshine
Big Dream: To go back to school to learn more about serving families
Favorite Moment: When a piece of music instantly brings back a memory or a feeling
Mailin
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since August 2018
Mailin’s experiences as a child growing up in the Philippines and as a mother raising three children here in the States all contribute to what she loves to share and create for children and families at PMCCP. She values listening fully to children, to give them time to express their feelings and ideas. She likes to give children the freedom to play in challenging and exciting ways inside and outside - even if it’s messy! - and will always make time to read one more book. As a child she was curious, and she sees all of children’s play as their brilliant experiments to find answers.
My inspiration: My grandmother, who let me play outside and get dirty!
My favorite activity at home: Cooking chicken adobo for my family every Saturday.
My motivation to teach: Toddlers bring joy to my heart!
Queshawna
She/they
PMCCP Community Member since 2022
Queshawna believes that a child-led program that supports curiosity, play, exploration, and anti-bias education is best for children and the community. They joined PMCCP with a BA in Social Work and appreciate the opportunity to do work they really enjoy with teachers that value children and see them as important, capable individuals who deserve empathy and respect. Queshawna gives children the space to be messy and loves to create art and sensory activities in the classroom. Outside of school, they like to journal and do arts and crafts.
Three things that make me smile: sunshine, gummy candy, and playing in the quicksand on the beach.
My favorite children's book: Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o. I cried when I first read it because I had never related so strongly with a character before.
A favorite childhood memory: I loved coloring and building card houses with my big brother
Rachel
She/her
PMCCP Community Member since 2022
Growing up, Rachel considered the people who cared for her at childcare to be a warm extension of her family. It is one reason she is inspired to be that kind of help for other families now. She joined PMCCP to be able to teach in a way that encourages children to truly be themselves and to be celebrated and thrive based on their unique qualities. Rachel has a BA in Early Childhood Education and is also working on a degree in Biology as she hopes to one day merge her love of science and teaching.
Best moment of the day: The first hug from my son
Favorite place in the world: the Oregon coast for beautiful rock formations and tide pool exploration
My free time fun: Beachcombing, going for walks with my son Robbie, and playing with my cats.
Summer
He/they
PMCCP Community Member since 2022
Summer's BA in Early Childhood Education, completed in June of 2022, is built on a passion for early learning and a commitment to being a reliable source of support for families too. Summer’s favorite classroom activity is art, supporting children to create and experiment. They see naptime as an important moment to reflect on the ideas in children's play and to plan the afternoon to further explore children's interests and questions. In Summer's free time, hiking and being outdoors is a priority and a joy.
My Favorite Children’s Book Character: Pete the Cat because he goes with the flow and does not get hung up on setbacks
In my free time: I like to be outdoors and hiking!
Three things that make me happy: Books, sunshine, and road trips.
Board
Grace Leong, President
Architect, Studio MGL
“I am honored to serve on a board for an organization that is so committed to helping children grow in a nurturing and diverse environment. My daughter cherishes her memories from preschool!”
Kiarra N.C. Witcher, Vice President
Masters in Public Health, Philanthropic Business Administration, specifically project management, event planning, and program coordination.
“I am proud to say that PMCCP helped me raise my children into community-orientated, equity-focused little humans.”
Ashley Look, Secretary
VitalTalk, Director of Programs.
“As a new parent and a social worker, I have been continually impressed with PMCCP and all that it provides to children and families. The opportunity for sliding scale tuition is a rare gift to families in search of high quality early learning.”
Lenore Rubin, Past President
Child Psychologist
“I first got to visit PMCCP in my role as consulting child psychologist with Public health Seattle King County - Childcare Health Team. I was so impressed by the sensitive, thoughtful education offered to young children and their families that I have continued my relationship with PMCCP after retirement. Coming to PMCCP is entering a warm and caring family, the school becomes a partner in raising your child.”
Pocco S.D.D, Bussey, Board Member
United States Air Force Veteran, Teach For America Alum, World Relief Seattle: Next Generation Family Support Volunteer.
“When my wife and I chose to move to Seattle after retiring, we were in search of a community to grow with, one that we could contribute to and be proud of. Instead, we found a family in PMCCP that strives to uphold the market's tradition of championing equitable opportunities by advocating for all children.”
Liz Deckman, Board Member
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
“As a mother of a child who was lucky enough to experience great preschool education, I am excited to work the PMCCP due to its dedication to excellent child care for all children.”
Larai Wushishi, Board Member
Senior Manager, World Wide Expansions at Amazon
“There is nothing more gratifying than giving back to the community or making a difference to the people around you.”
Sung Kim, Board Member
Urban planning, community development, strategic planning, public outreach and engagement