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Teaching staff
Infant Teachers
Mardi
Lead Infant Teacher
Mardi started caring for infants at First Years in 2016. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 3 daughters, and two grandchildren. She also enjoys cooking and cleaning around her home.
Dalina
Assistant infant Teacher
Dalina started working at First Years in 2016. She has trained to work with all our ages, but found her happiness in being the infant assistant. In her free time she enjoys going out and about with her son.
Erika
Infant 2 lead Teacher
Erika joined our crew in 2024. She holds a bachelors in journalism, but has extensive experience in child care and early childhood education. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their two sons.
Julie
assistant infant 2 Teacher
Julie is First Years alum! She has years of experience with all ages, but has a special way with our infants. In her free time, Julie and her fiancé love to spend time with family and their two sons.
Toddler Teachers
Tyler
Toddler 1 lead Teacher
Mr. Tyler has been with First Years since 2022! He has training and experience with all our ages, but found his sweet spot with his caring demeanor with our youngest toddlers. He loves spending time with family and friends in his free time.
Areanna
Toddler 1 lead Teacher
Areanna has been caring for children at First Years since October 2016. She has trained in the infant and preschool rooms. In her free time she loves to shop, and spending time with her two children.
Alex
Lead Toddler 2 Teacher
Alex started working at First Years in July 2018, and was trained to work with all our ages. In her free time, Alex enjoys exploring the PNW, hanging out with friends, drawing, and watching Netflix with her partner and their two sons.
Isabel
Lead Toddler 2 teacher
Isabel has cared for our toddlers since 2014. In her free time, Isabel enjoys working out, hiking, traveling, and shopping!
Lily
Assistant Toddler 2 Teacher
Kelly
Lead Toddler 3 Teacher
Naomie
lead TOddler 3 Teacher
Maddy
Assistant Toddler 3 Teacher
Debbie
Morning TOddler Assistant
Miss Deb has been caring for our toddlers since February 2019. She greets our families every morning, and cooks up breakfast for our Toddlers!
Preschool & Pre-k Teachers
Neda
Lead Preschool Teacher
SamAra
Lead Preschool Teacher
Ava R.
Preschool 1 Assistant
Jennilynn
Preschool 2 Lead Teacher
Kayleigh
Preschool 2 Lead Teacher
Ashley
Preschool 2 Assistant
Madi
Pre-k Lead Teacher
Madi
Pre-k Lead Teacher
Lisa
Pre-k Assistant Teacher
College Help
Ghadir
Floating Assistant Teacher
Ghadir started at First Year in High School, and has come back on her breaks ever since leaving for school. The children love her high energy and passion for sports!
Grace
Floating Assistant Teacher
Grace started working at First Years while attending Bainbridge High School, and is now going into her sophomore year at UCLA. She attended First Years growing up, and we love having her help out when she is home on breaks! She specializes in infant and toddler care.
HIgh school help
Ava P.
Floating Assistant Teacher
Ava is a junior in high school. She has been part of the First Years family since 2024, and has trained with toddlers and up, but mainly can be found with our toddlers. In her free time she enjoys spending time on family trips, and hanging out with friends.
Lily
Floating Assistant Teacher
Lily is a freshman at Bainbridge High School. She has experience babysitting, and caring for younger ages. In her free time she enjoys Bainbridge Youth Choir, and is on the varsity cheer team.
Ellie
Floating Assistant Teacher
Ellie was hired in 2025, and is considered on-call for help with our preschool and pre-k aged children. She is a junior at Bainbridge High School, and in her free time she enjoys reading, is the social media officer for theater club, and is on varsity cheer.
Holly
Floating Assistant Teacher
Holly was hired in 2025, and is seasonal. She is a junior at Bainbridge High School, and in her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and hanging out with friends.
Office
Emily
Executive Director
Emily grew up on Bainbridge and began working at First Years in 2003 as a high school student. Upon graduating, she trained with all ages, but was primarily a lead preschool teacher while studying early childhood education. In 2008, she took a few years off to travel and raise her own babies. Emily returned part time in 2012, prior to becoming the Fundraising Director in 2017, and the Executive Director in January 2019. Her position mainly entails Center HR, grant writing, and community involvement. In her free time, Emily enjoys traveling, and spending time with her four children.
Chrissie
Center director
Chrissie is the Center Director. She oversees curriculum implementation, support staff development, and fosters a positive learning environment for children, families, and teachers. She works closely with Washington State's Early Achievers Coach to maintain and strengthen our program's quality standards and rating. She holds a bachelor's degree and a Washington State Teaching Certificate and was honored to receive a scholarship to attend a leadership program through the University of Washington. She also occasionally serves as a substitute teacher for the Bainbridge Island School District. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors and fishing with her daughter.
Jenny
Director of Family relations
Jenny started working with First Years in March of 2002. Through the years she worked with infants and toddlers, before becoming a director in 2011. She manages our waitlist and enrollment, as well as billing. Jenny and her husband have two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys supporting their girls in year round Special Olympics, along with sewing and crafting.
Jodi
Administrative Assistant
Jodi has been teaching at First Years since 2007. She has earned three state certificates in Early Childhood Education, including her ECE Office Admin and ECE gen. Jodi manages all staff and child files, and stays on top of state requirements. In her free time she enjoys biking, shopping, baking, and going to the beach with her dog, Bella.
Angel
Office Assistant
Angel has been with First Years since 2011. She was the Toddler 1 lead teacher until January 2019 when she became our office assistant. Angel runs our front office, and helps with child development evaluations, classroom transitions, and ensuring that all the teachers are up to date on each child and their individual needs. Angel and her husband have two grown sons, and she enjoys baking, puzzles, and cruising.
Kaitlyn
Center Cook
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