tcs TEAM
We are passionate about teaching and learning, our teachers are curious, caring, reliable, thoughtful, and fun people who are excited about their vocation and the potential of young children. We see value in each experience and we are open-minded and ready for new challenges each day.
Meet our Board of Directors
FRANCINE PELAEZ (FRANI)
DIRECTOR
SHE/HER
Francine “Frani“ Pelaez has served in several leadership roles including as the Center Director, mentor teacher, and curriculum specialist at the University of Washington Child Care Center, and a trainer for the American Montessori Society Infant/Toddler Certification Program. She has been a coach for the Early Achievers program, helping other ECE professionals meet state guidelines through mentorship. Frani holds a B.A. in American Culture Studies from Western Washington University and a Master of Education from Concordia University Portland, she loves helping children learn and mentoring teachers.
Frani grew up in Seattle with a big extended family around. Her dad emigrated from Bolivia in the early 60’s and was soon followed by the rest of his family. Her grandparents opened a restaurant in Pike Place Market in the mid 60’s and it is still there today! When not working Frani loves to spend time with family and friends, and especially her cat Douglas Fur (Doug).
HANNAH MAHER
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/THEY
Teacher Hannah grew up in Elk River, MN, and moved to the Seattle area in 2017. She has a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Minnesota where she was also in the marching band. While in college, Hannah picked up a job as Teacher’s Aide at the preschool down the street from her apartment and soon realized Early Childhood Education was the career for her. Since then, she has worked as both an Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher, and even at a school fully outdoors. She strives to make her classroom warm and welcoming to all students and their families and she is very excited to join the TCS team! Outside of the classroom, Hannah can be found exploring museums, getting muddy on hiking trails, or playing at Magnuson park with her dog Tasca!
TARYN MCGRATH
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/HER
Teacher Taryn, originally from San Diego CA, has been exploring the Seattle area for the last few years. While originally studying Graphic Design in Los Angeles, upon moving to Seattle she decided to move into a career she was truly passionate about, early learning. With the past couple years spent as a lead teacher for a multi-age program, she is excited to focus her attention on our 3-5 year olds and jump into play-based and emergent learning. She is currently furthering her education through North Seattle College in Early Childhood Education, and actively implementing ideas she has learned through this into her teaching style, such as anti-bias education and guidance in the classroom. She uses her love of art, stories, and nature to fuel the lessons made to actively engage her kids.
CYD PAIVA
LEAD TEACHER
SHE/HER
Teacher Cyd grew up in Fall River, MA and in 1987, she moved to Seattle with a group of friends to be part of the thriving theatre community here. With her BA in Theatre and a minor in education, she's taught drama at different public and private schools. When she started teaching in preschools, it was with those little learners that she found her calling. Cyd went back to school in 2014 and in 2016 earned her Washington State Early Childhood Education teaching certificate. Cyd is married and has two daughters - one is a filmmaker who lives in Los Angeles, and the other is studying Veterinary Medicine at WSU.
JENNIFER GRENAN
ASSISTANT TEACHER
SHE/HER
Jennifer was born and raised in Washington State, and has been a Seattlite since 1992, graduating from the University of Washington with a BA in Art History. She spent many years working as a volunteer in pre-school, elementary and middle school classes. Now that her boys are older, She realizes this is the perfect time to go back into the classroom to work with young children, preparing them for the beginning of their educational journey.
When Jennifer is not in the classroom, she enjoys running, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Jennifer is married and has three boys, ranging from 20 to 14, and her sweet English lab Olive.
CODY CORDERO
ASSISTANT TEACHER
HE/THEY
Teacher Cody was born in Seattle, and has lived here his whole life (aside from a recent year in Champaign, IL). He holds a B.S. in Psychology from Western Washington University, and an A.A. from Shoreline Community College. As an older sibling with many cousins and niblings, Cody has been caring for kids his whole life. As an adult exploring different fields (from shoe retail to personal injury law), he still nannied part-time. In Champaign, he found his passion as an assistant teacher in a preschool classroom.
Being queer and neurodivergent, Cody values the opportunity to foster an environment of curiosity and compassion in which all young minds can safely grow. He loves to create learning experiences through music, creative play, and sensory exploration. Outside of teaching, Cody enjoys writing, gaming, and exploring the many parks and museums in the Puget Sound area. He can often be found snuggling his two cats, Harley and Macaroni.
KIANA JOHNSON
FLOAT TEACHER
SHE/THEY
Kiana was born and raised in Seattle, WA. They moved to Bellingham, WA where they started their career in early education in a church nursery followed by a YMCA preschool as an assistant toddler teacher and substitute teacher. At the same time, they started their undergraduate program in business administration as well as becoming a certified personal trainer. They now run a personal training business in downtown Seattle and are nearing the end of their Master of Education in Early Childhood program, to be followed up by a teaching certification. In their free time they enjoy cooking, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
MELAYNA CABRERA
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
SHE/HER
Teacher Melayna was born and raised in South Texas along the border and eventually moved to the DFW area to attend college at the University of North Texas where she earned her degree in Social Science and a certificate in Latino/a and Mexican-American Studies. Throughout her time as an undergraduate she also worked as an after school care instructor and a substitute teacher for 3 years, specifically substituting for bilingual (Spanish) classrooms. Following her undergraduate graduation she moved to Seattle in the fall of 2022 and began working on her masters degree in Museum Studies at The University of Washington. As she has become adjusted to Seattle life she has been very excited to get back work in early childhood education at TCS and she is looking forward to all that she will learn. Outside of work Teacher Melayna enjoys spending time with her cat, Dunkin', and exploring Seattle with all of its museums!
ANA FLORES
PROGRAM MANAGER
SHE/HER
Teacher Ana grew up in Guadalajara Mexico, and moved to Seattle in 2017. Ana has a B.S. in Software Engineering; during college she worked as a math tutor with elementary students and found her true calling as an educator. She worked as a programer for a few years and continued studying to get her M.A. in Education, with a focus on cognitive development.
Since then she has worked as a math, programing and robotics teacher with students from Pre-K to elementary (In Mexico), and as a Pre-K Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher (in Seattle). She strives to facilitate intrinsic learning through play and exploration. In her free time she enjoys swimming, singing and playing with her daughter, especially sensory play.