Director- Kären Beasley
Karen has a B.A. in Social Sciences and Early Childhood Education. Karen lives in Shoreline with her husband Scott of 37 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. Karen has worked at First Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten for 23 years and the last 17 years as Director. Karen is an active member of First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach.
Kangaroo Teacher- Mrs. Mim
Mim Brusteun – Mim first became involved with First Lutheran Preschool as a parent (three of her four children attended), then became a preschool board member…and then, 23 years ago, joined the staff as a teacher of the four and 5 year olds Lion class. She earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Education at St. Olaf College and taught middle school for five years before “retiring” to raise her four children. When her youngest entered kindergarten, she began teaching at First Lutheran. She went on to receive an Early Childhood Certificate from Edmonds Community College. She loves sharing her love of the Lord and her zany zest for life with the children in her care!
Lamb Teachers- Mrs. Johnson/ Ms. Jen
Dove Teachers - Mrs. Nancy/Mrs. Honka and Mrs. Johnson/Ms. Jen
Nancy Malek- A Southwest transplant learning to enjoy life in the NW rain forest with her husband, Jack, and son Sam. Nancy has taught all ages of children for numerous years in both public and private school. She has a Master’s Degree in Education, and her philosophy of teaching is, “Every child can learn and has something special to offer our community of learners.” She continues to pursue classes and conferences focusing on early education, special education, and children and God.
Shannon Honka – Mrs. Honka has had a love of children as long as she can remember. Having several older brothers, she was a young aunt by age eleven. Before she started having children she had over twenty nieces and nephews and she loved to watch several of them at a time. When she had the opportunity to teach preschool, she took courses in child psychology. Her life has always been centered around the Lord so it was only natural to do Vacation Bible School and Religious Education at her church (she has racked up over thirty -six years of volunteer service)! The Lord has blessed her with six beautiful daughters, one lovely granddaughter and a marraige of nearly thirty years. She feels she was fortunate to join First Lutheran Preschool in 2005. She loves the extended time she receives with the children doing Lunch Bunch after the class day is over. She also enjoys swimming and reading in her free time.
Lion Teachers- Mrs. Mim /Mrs. Sturm and Mrs. Kathie /Mrs. Hacker
Maria Hacker – Mrs. Hacker is in her second year as a teacher’s assistant at First Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten. She was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington where she grew up in a family of eight children. She attended Blanchet High School in North Seattle and later attended Shoreline Community College where she received her Associates Degree. She has been married to her husband Nate for 12 years and they have two wonderfully energetic boys, Vinnie and Reggie. After her son attended First Lutheran Preschol for three years she instantly felt privileged to be a part of such an amazing school and community. She feels honored to be a part of the First Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten team and looks forward to a great school year getting to know you and children.
Kindergarten Teachers- Ms. Heidi /Ms. Hart
Heidi Hiatt – Ms. Heidi has a Masters of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University and received her Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from Pacific Lutheran University. Ms.Heidi has a Washington State Professional Certification from the University of Washington. Ms. Heidi has been part of the First Lutheran family since 2006 when her first son began preschool. After falling in love with the school and staff, Ms. Heidi was excited to start a Kindergarten program at First Lutheran. Ms. Heidi has taught Kindergarten, first and second grades in the Los Angeles Unified Public Schools, Seattle Public Schools and most recently, The Bush School in Seattle, Washington. Ms. Heidi is know to bring her love of the arts, travel, animals and books into her Kindergarten curriculum and is overjoyed to be teaching in such a wonderful, loving school that makes learning meaningful and exciting for each child.
Enrichment Instructors
Kidmoves- Mrs. Karen Herr
Kidsong (Music)- Mr. Olmaldo Perez
Discovery Kids- Mrs. Nancy
Book Worms- Mrs. Kathie/Mrs. Hacker
Spanish- Mrs. Carolina Leitner
Office Administrator- Mrs. Christine Ong
School Board Members
Stacey Pedersen- (President)
Jill Dobson
Kristin Capps
Kristie Timss
Melissa Shook