NEW DISCOVERY SCHOOL - Key Persons
Audrey Bacon has 31 years of experience working with children working as a nanny and pre-school teacher. Back in 2006 Susan Gorman asked Audrey if she was interested in applying as a teacher at New Discovery and she took the offer and realized this is what she was meant to do. Audrey enjoys helping kids grow as people as they discover the world around them. She helps them manage their emotions and think through the challenges they encounter.
Audrey's favorite activities include: running, gardening and animals. She lives with her husband in Seward Park.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Music Specialist, State of WA DCYF Trainer
I've been working as a teacher since 2018 just after I graduated from Roosevelt University with my BA in psychology. My start was with an afternoon program at a public school where I was provided a strong foundation for my teaching career. After a year there, I moved here to Seattle and worked for two and a half more years at a few schools. Finding NDS was an incredible gift and the welcome every person shares with me shows me that trust and compassion are strong pillars for this community. Outside of work I enjoy traveling, concerts, hiking and group events with my friends and a fun fact about myself is that I am a published writer. I can't wait to see the future I have with NDS, the staff, the children and all the families!
I began my work in the field of early childhood education in 1995 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in world religion from the University of Colorado. After moving to Austin, Texas, I gained my core training in the early childhood field, working in special needs inclusive environments as a classroom teacher, collaborating with teams of teachers and therapists. I have been a lifelong lover of music and the arts and have brought my guitar and music skills directly into the classroom as a teaching tool and community builder.
After moving to Seattle in the year 2000, I had the good fortune to be hired as a classroom teacher and music specialist at New Discovery School. Founding Director Susan Gorman promoted me to the position of Program Manager in 2015 where I was primarily responsible for upholding and researching best practices in social and emotional learning while also attending to administrative duties and coordinating or leading parent/teacher educational opportunities. Upon the retirement of Mrs. Gorman, I worked as Assistant Director, classroom, and music teacher under Director Alissa Nasiatka until her departure from NDS in 2019.
A long-time student of contemplative practice, I am certified as a mindfulness instructor and facilitator with Shambhala International and have helped integrate research based, secular, developmentally appropriate mindfulness aspects into the social and emotional curriculum at NDS. I'm a Washington state certified teacher trainer for the Department of Children Youth and Families, as well as a Talaris Institute ‘Parenting Counts' trainer.
I am committed to the mission of New Discovery School to foster a warm community, while protecting play, loving relationships, and the arts as central components in early learning.
I love teaching four year olds and enjoy working with such a supportive community of teachers and parents. Dena Blue (she/her) 3's Teacher, Fun Friday, Afternoon Program Teacher For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to nurturing the lives of young children. My path to "preschool teacher" has been winding, beginning early on with babysitting, and progressing to longer term nannying positions as I grew into adulthood. Along the way, have been many days spent volunteering in elementary classrooms, as well as teaching in a private elementary school. Wedged in through the years is also a BA in Psychology earned from the University of Washington, and my later entry into motherhood. I became a NE Seattle Co-Op Preschool Parent & Class Chair, and also a PEP's Group facilitator. I've enjoyed logging lots of time soaking up information from local & national experts, authors, & educators on child development on the way.
In addition to working with kids, I enjoy cooking, singing, and children's books. I also love being outdoors either riding my bike, going on long walks, hiking, or skiing. The mountains are my medicine. Elise Aney (she/her) 4's Teacher, Art Specialist, Afternoon Program Teacher, Admin Assistance From the moment I walked through the doors of NDS, I felt welcome. Having always desired to work with children creatively, I could not imagine a more ideal setting. The sense of comfort and belonging among the staff and community is unparalleled to any working environment I have experienced.
Elise Aney guides children as they explore colors, shapes, and composition in our Art Studio. She provides them with different media and topics to aid in their expression, critical thinking, and experimentation. During each session the children will not only gain confidence in their own abilities, they will gain an appreciation and insight regarding the abilities and viewpoints of those around them. Throughout the program Elise will work to impart each child with the independence and tools they need to translate their emotions, stories, experiences, and ideas creatively whether it be working independently or in collaboration with their peers.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Teacher / Fun Friday Assistant
Job Titles:
- Afternoon Program Teacher
Marissa received a BS in Family Community Services from Michigan State University in 1992. She has worked with children in various settings for the past 28 years, and is especially grateful for her experience gained as a preschool teacher from 1997-2014 at New Discovery School in Seattle. Gwyn Benson (she/her) 4's Teacher It's hard for me to remember a time when I wasn't teaching or working with children.
I spend my free time with my family, going to yoga with my daughter, relaxing with the fur babies at home, and enjoying all PNW has to offer! Hana Zuwan (she/her) 3's Teacher, Fun Friday, Afternoon Program Teacher I studied air transportation management back home in Indonesia. When I came to the U.S. in 2005, I began teaching and loved it! I earned my Child Development Associate degree in 2009 and have continued taking additional early childhood education workshops. I joined the NDS staff in the fall of 2011.
Finally, I love starting my day out at song circle! Jason Sterland (he/him) Afternoon Program Teacher and Fun Friday Teacher I have been working with children and families since 2014 and I am thrilled to be at the New Discovery School. I finished my direct transfer degree at North Seattle College and am currently enrolled at UW for a degree in Education, Communities and Organizations. I am very excited to have the opportunity to use some of the skills I have learned in my schooling. Outside of the classroom I enjoy watching movies, making art, reading, and running with my partner. I am excited to meet you all and get to know you.
Bio coming soon… Kat Steinglass (she/her) 4's teacher I have been working at New Discovery School since 2013. I earned my teaching certificate in 1999 and completed my master's in human development in 2004 at Pacific Oaks College NW. Prior to working at NDS, I worked with toddlers and taught kindergarten through second graders.
Our teachers love children! They have many combined years of training and experience in early childhood education. Their focus is on teaching to the individual needs and talents of every child, and they find great joy in sharing their love of learning with the children and their parents. Katherine Abraham (she/her) 5's Teacher, Roots of Empathy Instructor As a former NDS parent, I am honored to be joining the team that creates such a magical place for children and families. I love that the teachers at NDS celebrate the true joy in childhood and give lots of space for kids to make messy discoveries.
I feel so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful school where I have worked for more than half my life. I have two children who were able to come with me to school as infants and who attended NDS during their preschool years. They continue to come in and help out when they have a day off from their schools. They have truly been raised by NDS. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the incredible teachers and families I have contact with every day. I love being a part of such a generous and supportive community. Kathleen Rader (she/her) 5's Teacher M-TH, Afternoon Program Teacher Kathleen has been working with children since 2015. She has a master's degree in early childhood education and bachelor's degree in horticulture... but most importantly... she plays the ukulele! She brings a passion for Antibias education and will be starting her second year at NDS in the 5's class.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / ASL Teacher
I began teaching American Sign Language at NDS in the fall of 2000, while working as the production manager for a large corporate gift company. After moving to a position as office manager for a plumbing company, I jumped at an offer to join NDS as the full-time administrative assistant to the director, while still teaching ASL one day a week. Over the years I have taught ASL to many age groups, but my favorite is the preschooler, with their eagerness to learn. I enjoy teaching them a new way to powerfully express themselves.
It has been a pleasure to be part of the NDS community; I love greeting everyone as they arrive and enjoy helping to keep the school running smoothly. Whether I'm answering phones, applying Band-Aids, giving hugs, or even fixing the plumbing, it all seems like a labor of love, and not a job. When not at NDS, I enjoy dancing, gardening, travel, and hiking in the desert.
Niki Contos is a longtime educator with 25+ years in the field working in various contexts including classroom teacher, behavior/family interventionist, curriculum development, and inclusion specialist. Her areas of interest as an educator include play-based learning, positive behavior guidance, anti-bias approach and inclusion. She has a BA in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State, and a master's in Early Childhood Special Education from UW; she is also a State of Washington DCYF certified teacher trainer and a certified Incredible Years parent educator. Niki enjoys live music, reading with children, travelling, and tackling the NYT crossword puzzle.
Susan Tomlinson Gorman founded New Discovery School in 1985. Her goal was to create an environment where young children are encouraged to create, explore, make connections, and to know that they are honored and respected. Those goals are still thriving today only with a deeper and more thoughtful purpose. Through her own educational experience and love of learning, Susan gained an appreciation for interdisciplinary studies and project-based learning. She believed that by learning how things are connected through hands-on exploration, young children would have a more meaningful and fulfilling learning experiences. She also encouraged learning through the arts.