Teachers & Staff
Shannon Peterson
Birthday: April 18th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+ years
Credentials: B.A. in Speech Communication, 16+ years in Business Management and Operations, 7+ years in education
Favorite Food: Veggie Burgers & Chips
Languages Spoken in the Home: English, French, Italian and Swedish.
Favorite Children’s Book: Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson
Primrose Character I Relate to Most: Percy-Courage
Kristen McElheny
Birthday: April 17th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 21+ years
Credentials: AS in Childhood Development, BA in Education, English and World studies with a minor in gender studies, MA in Psychology
Favorite Food: Cheese
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
Leslie Mulkey
Birthday: September 16th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 8+ years
Credentials: Childcare Basics Certification
Favorite Food: Potatoes
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
Jennifer Schrenk
Birthday: May 23rd
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 9+ years
Credentials: Early Childhood Learning Courses
Favorite Food: Mexican Food
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Dragons Love Tacos, Adam Rubin
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Billy-Keeping Promises
Parto Shahab
Birthday: October 26th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 10+ years
Credentials: Catering Management
Favorite Food: Salmon, cheese
Languages Spoken in the Home: Farsi
Favorite Children’s Book: The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
Dennis Lataquin
Birthday: January 28th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ Years
Credentials: A.A. Culinary Arts, A.A. Business Management
Favorite food: Korean, Mexican, Pizza
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Suess
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Benjamin-Generosity
Jessica Bowdon
Birthday: March 18th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+ years
Credentials: 30 Hours Basic Training
Favorite Food: Mashed Potatoes
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Green Eggs and Ham
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Percy Keeping Promises
Alejandra Douglas-Castillo
More Info to Follow!
Lisa Light
Birthday: May 2nd
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 15+ years
Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education
Favorite Food: Mexican
Languages Spoken in the Home: Norwegian
Favorite Children’s Book: Heidi(1st Book I ever read), by Johanna Spyri
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Libby-Fairness
Mahshid Asadian
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Mahshid!
More information to follow…
Bailli Bellrose
Birthday: June 11th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.:5+ Years
Credentials: Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education in Progress
Favorite Food: Homemade Mac and Cheese
Languages Spoken in the Home: French
Favorite Children’s Book: Rumple Buttercup: a Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Benjamin-Generosity
Alannah Brown
Birthday: August 30th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ Years
Credentials: Trade School, Currently Completing ECE
Favorite Food: Chicken Spaghetti
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Megy-Conservation
Courtney Ceaser
Birthday: December 11th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 9+ Years
Credentials: Darton College
Favorite Food: Pasta
Languages Spoken in the Home: French and English
Favorite Children’s Book: No David Series
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Billy-Keeping Promises
Irene Delgado-Culp
Birthday: July 7th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+Years
Education Background: 30 hours Child Care Basics
Favorite Food: Pozole
Languages Spoken in the Home: English and ASL
Favorite Children’s Book: The Hungry Duckling
Primrose Pal I most relate: Billy-Keeping Promises
Samantha Felix
Birthday: February 26th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+Years
Education Background: Bachelor’s degree in law and pos-graduate degree in business administration
Favorite Food: Cheeseburger and Fries
Languages Spoken in the Home: Portuguese
Favorite Children’s Book: The Three Little Pigs
Primrose Pal I most relate: Og-Caring
Zahra (Eli) Fereydouni
Birthday: February 2nd
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ years
Credentials: Master’s Degree
Favorite Food: Steak
Languages Spoken in the Home: Farsi-Persian
Favorite Children’s Book: The Treehouse Series
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Erwin-Friendship
Arianne Obatay
Birthday: February 21st
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 5+ Years
Credentials: College Degree, ECE Certification also in progress
Favorite Food: Donut
Languages Spoken in the Home: English and Tagalog
Favorite Children’s Book: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
McKenna Verhaar
Birthday: May 12th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 1+ Year
Credentials: In near future starting Degree in Early Childhood
Favorite Food: I Love all food!
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: The Little Prince
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Percy-Courage
Ikram Ali
Birthday: May 3rd
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 2+ Year
Credentials: WA State Early Childcare Basics; Undergraduate Degree in progress
Favorite Food: Doro Wot
Languages Spoken in the Home: Amharic, English
Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Erwin – Friendship
Hazel Dela Paz
Birthday: July 5th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.:13+ years volunteering and 2 months professionally
Credentials: WA State Early Childcare Basics
Favorite Food: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Pasta
Languages Spoken in the Home: English, Tagalog
Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og the Bookworm ~ Caring
Carmen Hummel
Birthday: June 27th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ years
Credentials: BS Psychology
Favorite Food: Sushi
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Fancy Nancy
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Benjamin- Generosity
Nicole Mellinger
Birthday: November 2nd
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 10+ years
Credentials: Associate in Arts and Science and Early Childhood State Certificate
Favorite Food: Spaghetti & Meatballs
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Pete the Cat Books
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Percy-Courage
Jocelyn (Alina) Page
Birthday: July 31
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 5+ years
Credentials: Washington State Early Childhood Basics Certificate
Favorite Food: Sushi
Languages Spoken in the Home: English & Japanese
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: TBD
Yuliya Pashchuk
Birthday: November 27th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.:5+ Years
Credentials: Childcare Basics Certification
Favorite Food: Classic French Haute Cuisine
Languages Spoken in the Home: Ukrainian, Russian, English
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
Isaiah Booker
Birthday: April 11th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 1+ years
Credentials: Childcare Basics Certification
Favorite Food: Pizza
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Big Wolf and Littler Wolf
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Megy-Conservation
Alex Caoagdan
Birthday: August 13th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 2 Years
Credentials: B.A. in in Psychology and General AA
Favorite Food: Yellow Curry
Languages Spoken in the Home: Tagalog/Ilocano
Favorite Children’s Book: “are You My Mother?” by Dr. Suess
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og-Caring
Madeleine (Maddie) Duncan
Birthday: June 19th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ Years
Credentials: BA in Psychology
Favorite Food: Sushi and Gyros
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Chikka Chikka Boom Boom
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Katie – Cooperation
Surhosree Ghosh
Birthday: May 27th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ Months
Credentials: Bachelors Degree
Favorite Food: Biriyani
Languages Spoken in the Home: Bengali
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Erwin-Friendship
Liana Popovych
Birthday: May 16th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 6+ years
Credentials: Childcare Basics Certification
Favorite Food: Mediterranean Food
Languages Spoken in the Home: Ukrainian and Russian
Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Katie-Cooperation
Tapanga Holbert
Birthday: April 4
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 8+ years
Credentials: ECE Diploma
Favorite Food: Pasta
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Rainbow Fish
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Erwin – Friendship
Amber Trujillo
Birthday: December 16th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+ years
Credentials: Child Development Associate Credential in Progress
Favorite Food: Mexican
Languages Spoken in the Home: English and Spanish
Favorite Children’s Book: Rainbow Fish
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Percy-Courage
Bita Ghafari
Birthday: June 11th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 12+ Years
Credentials: 30 Hours Childcare Basic
Favorite Food: Everything
Languages Spoken in the Home: Farsi, Turkish and English
Favorite Children’s Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Benjamin-Generosity
AnaGaraku Obioma
Birthday: March 4th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 1+ Year
Education Background: Childcare Basics Certification
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Goosebumps
Primrose Pal I most relate: Erwin-Friendship
Tram Pham
Birthday: August 14th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 2+Years
Credentials: BA in Chemistry
Favorite Food: Sushi
Languages Spoken in the Home: Vietnamese and English
Favorite Children’s Book: The Rainbow Fish
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Molly – Respect for Others
Shahrzad Rahbar
Birthday: November 21st
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 8+ years
Credentials: Associate Degree in Child Development
Favorite Food: Steak and Sandwiches
Languages Spoken in the Home: English & Farsi
Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Molly because I value kindness, compassion, and helping others feel supported and cared for. I enjoy building positive relationships and creating a warm, welcoming, and positive learning environment where every child feels valued.
Juana Jay Vasquez
Birthday: August 20th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: Lead Preschool Teacher
Credentials: Bachelor Degree in Psychology in progress
Favorite Food: Menudo & Tamales
Languages Spoken in the Home: English & Spanish
Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Og – Caring
Michelle Al-Amiri
Birthday: May 4th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 3+ Years
Credentials: Degree, Western Washington University
Favorite Food: Veggie Pizza
Languages Spoken in the Home: English and Spanish
Favorite Children’s Book: Too many to choose from!
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Peanut-Honesty
Morgan Khadi Jah Gollman
Birthday: August 26th
Experience in Early Childhood Ed.: 7+Years
Credentials: B.A. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Favorite Food: Risotto of any kind
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Favorite Children’s Book: Oh The Places You’ll Go
Primrose Pal I Relate to Most: Benjamin the Bear
Franchise Owners
Erik and Shannon Peterson
Shannon and Erik Peterson are the proud Franchise Owners of Primrose School of West Bellevue. As native residents of the Seattle area, the couple is excited to share the Primrose Experience with the community they were raised in, and provide the children in their care with a premier early childhood education that is second to none.
Shannon and Erik were first introduced to Primrose Schools while looking for child care for their daughter, Sonja. Like all parents, they were searching for a healthy, warm, and loving environment with a high-quality early learning curriculum. After their first visit to a Primrose School, the two immediately realized they had found what they were looking for, and decided that they wanted to serve other families in the Bellevue community by opening their own Primrose school there.
“From the moment we first stepped inside a Primrose school, we knew we needed to be a part of bringing the Primrose Experience® to the Seattle area,” said Shannon. “The environment, the people, and the Balanced Learning® approach met every expectation we had of premier early childhood education. Erik and I were drawn to Primrose’s time-tested curriculum that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance to prepare children for a lifetime of learning without losing sight of the fact that who they are is as important as what they know. We want to help families raise their children to become the best people possible.”
The couple met while earning their undergraduate degrees at the University of Washington. Since graduating, Shannon has spent most of her career working as a small business manager and corporate event planner, gaining the skills and experience she calls on while overseeing the day-to-day operations of their school. Erik holds an MBA from London Business School, and manages the school’s finances and human resources while continuing his career in commercial real estate.
The youngest member of Shannon and Erik’s family – their daughter Sonja – is also excited to take on her first professional role as the CPO (Chief Playground Officer) of Primrose School of West Bellevue.
“Our family values education immensely, and we both come from families of educators and business owners – my mom actually used to work in preschool management herself,” said Shannon. “We’re so lucky to be able to pursue both of those passions through our Primrose School.”
The Petersons are thrilled to bring high-quality early childhood education to Bellevue, and look forward to providing parents with the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are well cared for, well- educated, and happy. They can’t wait to welcome you to their Primrose family!
