My name is Katya, and I am excited to meet you all! Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to become a teacher. Working with young children brings me tremendous joy. I believe teaching is my life’s calling. I am creative and passionate about helping children learn and achieve their best. I believe that outside of the parents or caregivers in the home, as their teachers, we have deep impact on building up a child’s future. My teaching philosophy is to model and maintain compassion, patience, discipline, encouragement, high standards, and respect. My goal is to inspire and empower my students to become lifelong learners.

My name is Ms. Kate, but I've delighted in the whimsical variations from my students like Ms. Cake, Ms. Keitik, Ms. Keika, and the endearing Ms. Kitty. My journey in nurturing young minds began in 2013. Since then, I have earned an AA degree in Childhood Education. In addition to teaching, I graduated from the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and have a passion for drawing and photography. I joined Birch Tree Academy as a Lead Teacher in 2020. Since September 2025, I have been a member of the Lake Hills management team, and I am delighted to be part of Birch Tree Academy!

I grew up in California and moved to Seattle in 2020. I enjoy crocheting, cooking/baking, and going on walks with my baby girl. I got my BS in Child Development from Appalachian State University in 2020 and love being a teacher in early childhood. I love teaching because it is so amazing to watch my class grow. At this age, we are focusing so much on communication, self-regulation, and independence in daily tasks. I love to see them progress in these skills and see how much growth they have from the time they come into my class to when they are ready to leave.

My name is Breanne McIntosh but everyone calls me Bree. I have been working in childcare for about 7 years, and I have a son of my own who is 9 months old! His name is Jordan and he’s been such a great kid. I have lived in Washington my whole life! I enjoy being at the beach and going on hikes. I am so thankful to be a part of the BTA team!

I was born in Spokane but grew up in the Bellevue area for most of my life. I always knew I loved working with young kids and loved teaching! I love finding ways to make the “boring” things fun and find a way that works for every child. I’m currently getting my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Bellevue College. It’s important to me that every child feels included and confident while in the classroom. I love seeing a child’s personality bloom from their first day to their last. In my free time you’ll probably find me with my dog hiking or paddle boarding. I also love writing books and reading! I love working here at Birch Tree Academy and am so happy to be a part of this team!

I was grew up in India where later I obtained a bachelor’s degree in science from S.V. University. I moved to the United States over eighteen years ago and have spent the last ten years working with children. I am married with two adult children. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, doing various types of art projects, and watching Indian television shows. I am happy to have joined the Birch Tree Family and I value the relationships here with the staff, children, and parents.

Born and raised in Ukraine, I graduated from the Odessa Basic Medical College and gained experience in the sanitary and epidemiological station for about 12 years. In that role, I сarried out control over the implementation of hygiene and anti-epidemic measures in children's and medical institutions. I was also as an assistant to a pediatric dentist. I am happy to be a part of Birch Tree Academy and have the opportunity to contribute to the active development of children and fill their time here with vivid impressions, fun and the joy of learning new things.

My name is Viktoriia and I’m from Ukraine. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym to stay fit and healthy, and I’m also passionate about hiking. Traveling is another big part of my life. I love experiencing new cultures, meeting people from different backgrounds, and learning from every place I visit. Before, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a children's animator in Turkey. I truly believe that these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today and further fueled my passion for working with children. I am happy to be a part of Birch Tree Academy, where I can contribute to the development of young personalities and help them grow into confident, independent individuals.

Growing up in the colorful and culturally rich India, I moved to the United States thirteen years ago with my husband. During my studies, I worked hard and earned my bachelor’s degree in science and education. I love working with young children because I get to learn so much from them. I especially enjoy doing art and crafts with them because it helps them learn and be creative. I’m so excited to join BTA! I don’t just love teaching; I also love doing DIY projects, going for walks, listening to music, and spending time with my family and friends. I believe that understanding and supporting children is important for helping them grow and have a great childhood. I’m committed to doing this and I’m really excited to be part of BTA.

I was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, where I graduated from the State Pedagogical University with masters in Elementary School Education. After graduation, my husband and I moved to Moscow, where I continued with my education in the field of Russian language and literature. After starting a family, I worked as an elementary and high school teacher, and later as a chief editor at a newspaper. After 20 years of living in Moscow, my husband, two children and I immigrated to United States, where we found our permanent home in Bellevue, WA. Working with kiddos brings a lot of satisfaction and joy especially when I see smiles on children’s faces.

I was born and raised in Seattle and love calling the PNW my home. I attended Gonzaga University for undergrad and Seattle Pacific University for my Masters in Teaching. I am an avid history learner and am excited to introduce a Greek Mythology lesson at some point this school year. I am proud of my Greek heritage and invite any family to share with me any customs or traditions you may have that we can celebrate in class! In my free time I enjoy cooking, playing soccer, and spending time on the water.

Hello, I'm Oksana and I was born in Russia. I graduated from a sports school for Basketball, and also went to art school, studied folk, jazz, and other modern dances. I loved learning so much I also got my masters degree in fashion design, and my bachelors in modeling of clothes. I now have many years of experience in working with children. I have fallen in love with seeing the progress kids make & watching them build confidence in themselves as well as utilizing all the skills we teach them. I am passionate about teaching kindness, accountability, and creativeness to every learner. I am very excited to be a part of the Birch Tree family and look forward to meeting you and your little ones!

Born and raised in Ukraine, I have an academic and professional background which reflects a mission-driven passion for early childhood education. I earned a master's degree in early childhood education in 2020, and a bachelor's degree in education with a concentration in speech therapy in 2019 from Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. After completing my studies, I worked as an early education teacher, with 4–5-year-olds. My work focused on preparing them academically and socially for elementary school. I viewed the teacher-student relationship as an opportunity to develop each child's potential by strengthening his/her unique talents. I am motivated by my belief that early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.

My name is Anastasiia. I am originally from Ukraine and hold a Master’s degree in Psychology. I have over six years of experience working in a school setting with children, including those with special educational needs. I truly love children and my work, value an individual approach to each child, and strive to create a warm, safe, and supportive environment for their development and learning.

I grew up in Ukraine, where family, warmth, and care for others are very important. Those values have stayed with me and deeply influence the way I work with children. I truly believe that babies feel our energy, and when they feel safe and loved, they grow with confidence.

Working with infants is very special to me because this stage of life is full of firsts—first smiles, first sounds, first steps. I love being present for those little but powerful moments. I pay close attention to each child’s personality and emotional needs, and I try to create a calm, nurturing space where they feel secure to explore the world around them.

I am also continuing my education in Early Childhood Education because I want to keep growing as a teacher. The more I learn about child development, the more intentional I become in supporting each baby’s unique journey.

Outside of the classroom, I am a creative person—I love arts and crafts and bringing small creative ideas into our space. I believe creativity, even in simple sensory activities, helps children express themselves and experience joy.

Building trusting relationships with families means a lot to me. I feel honored to support your child during such an important and beautiful stage of life."

My name is Oumy Sow, and I’m originally from Senegal. I hold a higher education degree and have experience teaching French to primary school students. I have a deep love for working with children, and it brings me joy to help them grow and learn each day. I’m passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive classroom environment where children feel comfortable, curious, and excited to discover something new. I’m so excited to be part of the Birch Tree community!

My name is Zamira, I'm from Turkmenistan. I love children very much and try to create a warm, friendly atmosphere for them. Always ready to help, listen and support. I am happy to be a part of the 'Birch Tree' team to grow and develop together with the children.

I was born in South Africa and moved to Washington State when I was 16 years old. I have known since middle school that I want to work with children, and I have been blessed doing just that at Birch Tree Academy for the past 3 years - a job I love. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, dancing, going out for lunch, and traveling.

I was born in India and hold a Master’s degree in Computer Applications. I have a strong passion for teaching and have taught at various levels—from college to kindergarten. I especially enjoy working with young children and supporting their growth. I am patient, caring, and committed to creating a positive, inclusive classroom. I am married and believe in building strong, supportive relationships with both children and their families.

Hello, I’m Elina! I was born in Baku, and in 2022, I came to Seattle and live in Bellevue. In 2024, I got a job at BTA and I am glad to be a part of this team, I enjoy cooking healthy and nutritious meals for the children.

Born and raised in Turkmenistan, I graduated from the Mary College. My first teacher was my mom, she taught me how to behave in the kitchen. I have been in this role since I was 12 years old, and I have professional experience as a kitchen assistant for 3 years in my hometown. In that role, I emphasized the implementation of hygiene and anti-epidemic measures in the kitchen. I am happy to be a part of Birch Tree Academy and being a part of this academy has not only enhanced my technical skills, but also taught me the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, and the joy of creating something extraordinary from simple ingredients. I am proud to be a part of Birch Tree Academy and look forward to continuing my journey here.

My name is Iryna, and I am originally from Ukraine. My family and I recently moved to the United States, and we are very happy to begin a new chapter here. I have always enjoyed working with children and creating a warm, supportive environment where they can learn, play, and grow.

I love helping children discover new things every day. I believe in positive communication, teamwork, and showing respect to every child and family. Patience and kindness are very important to me and I work to instill those qualities in all of the children I get to work with.

Hi, I’m Rajalakshmi and I am from India. I love teaching, and my past experience in childhood teaching brought me here. As an engineer, I want my kids to develop and grow into unique individuals with unique talents and skills. After my daughter was born, I loved watching her grow with her in every way and most all, seeing her smile. Now I get to see the same smiles from the students in the classroom. I like sports and was an athlete in India. My hobby is shopping, so I keep browsing for new styles online and in malls. I am proud and truly excited to be part of Birch Tree Academy as Ms. Raja.

Hi Birch Tree Family! My name is Elena Joseph, I am 28 years old and I was born in the Bay Area but raised in Bellevue, about 5 minutes from the Birch Tree Lake Hills location. I have had a passion for working with kids since I was little. I am so excited to be back at Birch Tree, to get to know your kids better, and help them to learn and grow as they hit all of their developmental milestones!

My name is Karen Orellana. I have 12 years of experience in the field. I am a mother and enjoy going on hikes and diamond painting in my free time. I am currently working toward earning my Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about nurturing children and supporting their learning and development. I am originally from Mexico and am bilingual in Spanish and English, with English as my second language. I strive to do my best every day. I am so happy to be here and excited to get to know your children and family.

Hi, I’m Ellen! I moved here from California and began my teaching journey as a college assistant before getting started teaching young kids at multiple STEM-based academies. Above all, I value bringing energy and fun to my classes to keep kids curious, and I place a lot of importance on supporting students from different cultures and identities.

Outside the classroom, I can often be found playing musical instruments, drawing, reading, sewing, or just exploring! I love the creative arts and being in nature.