Meet the TEAM

"If there is a will, there is a way."

Favorite Princess: Mulan

After graduating with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications in the Philippines, I decided to take additional classes in Early Childhood Development because I love children. My first job in the United States was a kid's club attendant for 24-Hour Fitness for 3 years, where I took care of kids from 6 months to 12 years old. I am currently a middle school (since 2015) and high school basketball coach (since 2016). In my spare time, I love exploring the world and playing basketball. I have a graduate degree in International Marketing from Boston University and I am currently taking my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Early Childhood Development from Arizona State University's Online Program.

"Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart."

Favorite Princess: Belle

Ever since I was young, I have always adored kids. I am a CPA and have a full-time accounting job; however, I mostly work from home and I have to say that the kids make our home a much happier place. I call myself “Lola” which means grandma in Filipino.  Because I am not on the child care floor full time, I am more like a lola who helps out
when needed and loves to play with the kids. On my spare time, you can see me reading a book, like my favorite princess, Belle.

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

Favorite Princess: Mulan

I am very passionate about working with children. I come from a big family with 4 brothers and 4 sisters, which exposed me to a fun-loving and caring environment. I have earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Philippines and have been working with children since 2008. In 2010, I started working as a preschool teacher and have been doing it ever since. I love sports and have volunteered to coach both children’s soccer and volleyball. On my spare time, I enjoy exploring the great outdoors and playing sports (Basketball and Flag Football). 

“Try to be a RAINBOW in someone else CLOUD” - Maya Angelou

Favorite Princess: Mulan

Language: English, Tagalog, Ilocano

I have always wanted to help people at a young age and have come across early childhood education where I found a passion for helping families and children. I graduated from Washington State University (Go Cougs!) in 2018 and have been teaching in childcare for five years. These early years for children are very important and I wanted to make a great impact that would help families. 

A little more about myself is that I was born in the Philippines and moved to Hawaii when I was 5 years old. In 2014 I graduated Highschool and moved to East Washington to pursue my career. I found myself here in West Seattle working with The Little Trailblazers :) A small-town girl moving to a big city motivates me to keep working hard. In my downtime, I have a small business on Etsy where I sell stickers and magnets. Photography is also one of my hobbies as I love to take pictures of anything and post them on my photography page. When I'm not busy running around I am usually at home sleeping with my dog Griz :)

"le bonheur est un choix" (Happiness is a choice)

Favorite Princess: Belle

Language: English, French

To the parents of amazing children, Nice to meet you! My name is Luciana, but please call me Lou. I am the new Toddler Lead Teacher at Little Trailblazers and I am very excited to start this new journey with the children, the parents, and the staff. I have been working with kids for years; lately as an assistant teacher in another daycare. My approach as a teacher will be to create a safe and positive environment that will encourage discovery, development, creativity, communication, and independence. I am looking forward to meeting everybody and being part of a great team.

"Grow through what you go through"

Favorite Princess: Ariel

Language: English, French, Arabic

 Hello! My name is Chaimae Edderqaoui, everyone calls me Chae. I’m the preschool lead teacher and I’m 28 years old from Morocco, and I live in Federal Way. I have a BA degree in Cultural Studies and MA in Translation. I previously worked as an English teacher in Morocco at an elementary school (1st-6th grade) and that experience was unlike any other, it was challenging but taught me a lot about myself and helped me acquire and work on skills like communication, leading a classroom, and also challenged my creativity. In my free time, I love being outside whether it’s hiking, going to the beach, or going for a run. I also very much enjoy reading, learning languages, learning about different cultures, baking, doing crafts like embroidery and crochet, and so on.

"If you avoid failure then you avoid success"

Favorite Princess: Merida

Language: English

Hello!

My name is Aly and I've been with LTWS since September 2022!! I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and have grown up surrounded by my very BIG family. I've grown up caring for children in my family and around the neighborhood and began volunteering at our local school when I was 17. I've always liked being creative and my favorite place to be is outside! Working with kids has always been second nature for me and I'm excited to continue growing and learning with the LTWS team and families :)

"Rome was not built in a day "

Favorite Princess: Vagita

Language: English

         Hello, families of Little Trailblazers! 

     Fun facts about me my first names are Akeem Damon but either works for me, I was born on the pristine island of Palau, and my passions are content creating, cooking, and Music! Family is a key pillar in Pacific Islander households and I’m excited to meet my new family! 

"Just keep swimming" - Nemo

Favorite Princess: Moana

Language: English

 Talofa! This is how we say Hello in Samoa! I’m Christy Moegu, my family calls me Titi. A little about me is I’m a proud Pacific Islander born & raised in Washington. I grew up in a huge household full of humbleness and self-discipline. Fun facts about it, I am the 13th out of 14 siblings! 7 girls and 7 boys. I also played sports like Rugby & Volleyball just to get out of the house & to keep me busy while I was in school. On the other hand, I always wanted to help our young students face adversity & poverty so they wouldn’t lack the opportunities, skills & resources I did as a child. Being here at Lil Trailblazers helps me further my journey & I’m super excited to share this experience with a lovely team & group of kiddos! 

 “Be Kind, Work Hard, and Have Fun”  

Favorite Princess: Ariel

Language: English, Burmese

 My name is Kay and I’m very excited to be a teacher assistant at Little Trailblazers. I am born and raised in Burma and I moved to Seattle five years ago for college. I am currently studying to be a nurse and I have two years left. I find joy in spending time with children and helping them learn many things, so I am grateful for this opportunity.

I cannot wait to get to know all of the students and their families as well as join the team for this fun journey ahead of us! 

" what’s meant be to will be because there’s a plan for each one of us ”  

Favorite Princess: Tiana

Language: English

Hello families, my name is Clenisha but I go by Ms. Nene (knee-Knee), I am 22 years old, and love arts and crafts and all things color! 

I’ve worked in the childcare business for about 4-5 years now! I’ve worked for ARC (Associated Recreational Council) who partnered with Seattle Parks and Outer Space Seattle founded by 2 west Seattle moms who provided a safe play space for children of all ages and abilities! 

Since working in childcare, I have developed a huge gratitude towards children of all ages! My favorite part about being in this field is seeing the different milestones each child accomplishes. I plan to soon one day start my own business regarding children in a few ways from transportation and helping more parents to child psychology! A few things I like to do outside of being with children is visit lakes, go out of town, take my dog to the dog park and watch her interact and develop a better social skill, and of course relaxing on my sofa watching all types of tv shows! I look forward to spending some time with your little ones as well as getting to know little more but also you guys as well! 

"It takes a big heart to shape little minds"

Favorite Princess: Ariel

Language: English, Khmer

My name is Katrina Ven but my nickname is Katie since most of the students in toddlers can't pronounce my name haha! I'm currently attending South Seattle, I was born and raised in Seattle Washington. I really love working with kids and meeting different personalities it makes the job super fun at LTWS. I love to travel so far I've gone to Australia, Cambodia, and Mexico. I hope in the upcoming year I get to go explore somewhere tropical. It would be a pleasure working with you and meeting you :)