Kerry Lodge
Stephanie Taketa
Patty Venema
Director
Kerry has been teaching at Best Beginnings Preschool since 2006, spending time in both our 3's and PreK programs as a lead teacher. She was born and raised in Washington State. Kerry received her BS Degree in Community Health Education from Central Washington University and her Masters Degree from City University. She is married
Director
Kerry has been teaching at Best Beginnings Preschool since 2006, spending time in both our 3's and PreK programs as a lead teacher. She was born and raised in Washington State. Kerry received her BS Degree in Community Health Education from Central Washington University and her Masters Degree from City University. She is married and has two children. Over the past 15 years, Kerry has volunteered her time in many Lake Washington School District programs. Kerry is the honored recipient of the PTSA Silver Hawk and Golden Acorn awards, both from Redmond Elementary. In her spare time, Kerry enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, baking and reading.
Patty Venema
Stephanie Taketa
Patty Venema
Finance Manager and Accountant
Patty started working at Best Beginnings Preschool in 2003 as an assistant teacher in our transitional Kindergarten class. She spent time teaching in our 3's program before switching gears and moving into an administrative position. Patty now handles all of the financial work for the preschool. Patty was born
Finance Manager and Accountant
Patty started working at Best Beginnings Preschool in 2003 as an assistant teacher in our transitional Kindergarten class. She spent time teaching in our 3's program before switching gears and moving into an administrative position. Patty now handles all of the financial work for the preschool. Patty was born and raised in Kirkland and after marrying moved to Snohomish in 1986. Patty and her husband have two grown children. She lives on a small farm with 6 cows, a dog and 2 cats. Patty spends time volunteering for the Snohomish Education Foundation where she is a member of the board.
Stephanie Taketa
Stephanie Taketa
Stephanie Taketa
PreK Teacher & Admin Assistant
Stephanie joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2008 as an assistant teacher in our 3's preschool program. She grew up in Everett, WA and now lives on English Hill with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Prior to having children, she worked for Safeco Life Insurance Company. Stephanie has spent time ove
PreK Teacher & Admin Assistant
Stephanie joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2008 as an assistant teacher in our 3's preschool program. She grew up in Everett, WA and now lives on English Hill with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Prior to having children, she worked for Safeco Life Insurance Company. Stephanie has spent time over the last 20 years volunteering in her daughters' classrooms, PTSA, local sports programs and her church youth programs. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, paper crafting and crocheting. When she is not working in the classroom as a lead PreK teacher, you can find her in our school office helping as the Administrative Assistant.
Marjorie Landon
Marjorie Landon
Marjorie Landon
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Marjorie began working at Best Beginnings Preschool in 2011 and has been teaching the Transitional Kindergarten class since 2012. After attending Central Washington University for her BA in Elementary Education, Marjorie received her Masters in Education while working as a Kindergarten teacher in Camas.
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Marjorie began working at Best Beginnings Preschool in 2011 and has been teaching the Transitional Kindergarten class since 2012. After attending Central Washington University for her BA in Elementary Education, Marjorie received her Masters in Education while working as a Kindergarten teacher in Camas. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, Marjorie has lived in Redmond since 2001 with her husband and three sons. Outside of Best Beginnings, Marjorie enjoys traveling, gardening, and cooking.
Andrea Jones
Marjorie Landon
Marjorie Landon
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Andrea joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 1997. Since then, she has worked as a lead teacher in our PreK program, a lead teacher in our enrichment classes and is currently assisting in the Transitional Kindergarten program. She enriches her teaching knowledge each year from early childhood classes and s
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Andrea joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 1997. Since then, she has worked as a lead teacher in our PreK program, a lead teacher in our enrichment classes and is currently assisting in the Transitional Kindergarten program. She enriches her teaching knowledge each year from early childhood classes and seminars both on and off campus. Andrea was born and raised in California. She is married and has a son. Andrea enjoys painting and other forms of art, gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Karen Burgess
Marjorie Landon
Karen Burgess
PreK Teacher
Karen started with Best Beginnings Preschool in 2004 as an assistant teacher in our PreK program. She grew up in Michigan and received a BA in Elementary Education from Michigan State University. Karen is married and has three children. She enjoys walking her dogs and reading. Karen and her family spend much of their time boat
PreK Teacher
Karen started with Best Beginnings Preschool in 2004 as an assistant teacher in our PreK program. She grew up in Michigan and received a BA in Elementary Education from Michigan State University. Karen is married and has three children. She enjoys walking her dogs and reading. Karen and her family spend much of their time boating on the beautiful waters of the Pacific Northwest. Karen currently is a lead teacher in our morning PreK program.
Francy Hastie
Magdalena Kadluczka
Francy Hastie
PreK Teacher
Francy grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BA in Human Development from UC Irvine, which included coursework in ECE, and an MPA from San Francisco State. She joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2012 with our 3's program. She now a lead teacher in our PreK program. Francy is a former Best Beginnings parent whose
PreK Teacher
Francy grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BA in Human Development from UC Irvine, which included coursework in ECE, and an MPA from San Francisco State. She joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2012 with our 3's program. She now a lead teacher in our PreK program. Francy is a former Best Beginnings parent whose son and daughter are now in college. She enjoys reading, walking, theater, baseball and travel in her free time.
Siobhan Doyle
Magdalena Kadluczka
Francy Hastie
PreK Teacher
Siobhan joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2015 where she assisted in the younger 3's program. She now teaches in our PreK program. She grew up in Ireland and attended college in Athlone where she received a BA in Business studies as well as a certificate from the Institute of Accounting Technicians of Ireland. After the bir
PreK Teacher
Siobhan joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2015 where she assisted in the younger 3's program. She now teaches in our PreK program. She grew up in Ireland and attended college in Athlone where she received a BA in Business studies as well as a certificate from the Institute of Accounting Technicians of Ireland. After the birth of her third child she gave up working in the business field to focus on her children. Prior to moving to the US, she worked as an assistant to Little Friends Preschool in her hometown. She moved to the US from Ireland in 2009 along with her husband and three children. During her free time she enjoys walking, playing soccer with a coed team, making new friends and hanging out with family.
Magdalena Kadluczka
Magdalena Kadluczka
Magdalena Kadluczka
PreK Teacher
Magdalena joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2017 as an assistant teacher in our 3's program. Originally from Poland, Magdalena lives with her family in Kirkland, WA. She is a mother of two wonderful daughters who bring her lots of love, joy and happiness every day. Magdalena received her Master's Degree in Science from the
PreK Teacher
Magdalena joined Best Beginnings Preschool in 2017 as an assistant teacher in our 3's program. Originally from Poland, Magdalena lives with her family in Kirkland, WA. She is a mother of two wonderful daughters who bring her lots of love, joy and happiness every day. Magdalena received her Master's Degree in Science from the Wroclaw University of Technology. She has over six years of teaching experience as a Kindergarten teacher at the Polish School in Bellevue, WA. For the last eight years, she has also been an active volunteer at her daughters' schools. Magdalena enjoys spending time with her family, camping, reading and playing board games. She loves to bake, decorate cakes and a good cup of coffee.
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
3's Preschool Teacher
Corrine has been at Best Beginnings Preschool since 2014, joining our 3's program. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and studied business. She has worked in the Bellevue school district and volunteered extensively in the Lake Washington school district's enrichment programs: drama, dance, music, reading, math, and cultu
3's Preschool Teacher
Corrine has been at Best Beginnings Preschool since 2014, joining our 3's program. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and studied business. She has worked in the Bellevue school district and volunteered extensively in the Lake Washington school district's enrichment programs: drama, dance, music, reading, math, and cultural arts. Corrine is a proud recipient of the 2012 Golden Acorn Award and the 2011 Puma Paw Award in recognition of her dedication and service to children and youth as a school and community volunteer. She is married, has two wonderful children, and a dog. She enjoys yoga, hiking, cooking, art, reading, traveling, going to the movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Sun
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
3's Preschool Teacher
Sarah is an alumni parent who joined the Best Beginnings staff in the fall of 2019 as an assistant teacher in our 3’s program. Sarah is originally from Plymouth in the UK, but moved to Redmond in 2005. Sarah graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA degree in Travel Management. Sarah is married with two you
3's Preschool Teacher
Sarah is an alumni parent who joined the Best Beginnings staff in the fall of 2019 as an assistant teacher in our 3’s program. Sarah is originally from Plymouth in the UK, but moved to Redmond in 2005. Sarah graduated from the University of Brighton with a BA degree in Travel Management. Sarah is married with two young children, both of which attended Best Beginnings. Since her first child was born, Sarah decided to give up work to be a stay at home parent. However, she has spent time volunteering as a class coordinator in her children’s toddler group and more recently their kindergarten classes. As well as helping with various school trips and art classes. In her spare time Sarah loves to spend time with her family, often exploring new playgrounds/outdoor places, traveling, shopping, baking family birthday cakes and gardening.
Sara Howard
Corrine Hatakeyama-Bott
Sara Howard
PreK Teacher
Sara is an alumni parent who joined the Best Beginnings staff in 2021. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and now lives in Woodinville with her husband and two young children. She discovered a love of teaching while completing a year of service through Americorps, working at a school and social service agency for families de
PreK Teacher
Sara is an alumni parent who joined the Best Beginnings staff in 2021. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and now lives in Woodinville with her husband and two young children. She discovered a love of teaching while completing a year of service through Americorps, working at a school and social service agency for families dealing with homelessness. She went on to earn her Masters in Teaching from Seattle University and spent several years as an elementary school teacher in both Kent and Lake Washington School Districts before her children were born. She has spent the last few years volunteering and substitute teaching at her children’s schools. Her love of teaching also includes her hobbies, where she spent several years leading youth rock climbing classes and summer camps. Her favorite activities outside of school are hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking with her family.