OUR STORY

Inspiring children to be passionate, lifelong learners

ELL staff

We are proud to serve families in the Greater Seattle Area

Eastside Little Learners began in 2009, founded by Julie Ellington with a simple vision: to create a nurturing, high-quality early learning environment where children could grow, learn, and thrive. What began as a family child care center grew from Julie’s deep commitment to early childhood education and her belief in the importance of the earliest years of learning.

Over the years, Eastside Little Learners continued to grow, expanding its programs and welcoming new families into the ELL community. The school also expanded through its acquisition of Spectrum Academy, bringing together shared values and a continued commitment to bilingual Chinese-English education.

In early 2026, ELL took another step in its evolution by bringing the Grasslawn and Overlake communities together under one campus. While our school has grown and changed over the years, the heart of ELL remains the same: providing children with a caring, enriching, and high-quality early learning experience.

MEET OUR TEAM

Teachers

FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL

Julie Ellington

With over 30 years of experience in education and early childhood learning, Julie Ellington is a Washington State-certified teacher with experience in both private schools and the Bellevue School District. Julie brings a diverse educational background to her leadership, holding degrees in Education, Chinese Language, Mathematics, and Art.

Since founding ELL in 2009, she has remained deeply committed to creating a nurturing, engaging, and stimulating environment where children can thrive. Her passion for education, hands-on leadership, and belief in the importance of bilingual learning continue to shape ELL’s programs, teachers, and educational philosophy.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Hui Wang

Hui holds a master’s degree in law from Tsinghua University in China and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Before joining Eastside Little Learners, she worked with an international organization and the China Food and Drug Administration.
Hui believes that every child is a unique individual. She respects each child’s personality while providing warm, consistent guidance to support positive development and strong character.

Outside of work, Hui enjoys practicing martial arts, hiking, dancing, watching movies, gardening, and exploring delicious foods. She values both peaceful moments of reflection and the fulfillment of working toward new goals.

EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Clara Ng

Clara holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed training in Early Childhood Education STARS, CPR, and food safety. She oversees our full-day preschool program and teaches both Pre-K and toddler classes. As an experienced art teacher, Clara brings creativity and enthusiasm to the classroom, inspiring children to explore their imaginations and enriching their artistic experiences.

CURRICULUM DIRECTOR

Emmy Schoening

Emmy has a BA in English from The University of New Hampshire and is trained in Early Childhood STARS, CPR, and food handling. She brings valuable experience from her previous roles in various educational settings.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Anthony Lam

Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree and has completed training in Early Childhood Education STARS, CPR, and food safety. Drawing on his experience teaching children of various ages, he brings energy, patience, and warmth to our preschool and after-school programs. Anthony is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to learn and grow.

Teachers

Orca

Laura Martin

Kindergarten

Laura brings 28 years of experience in early childhood education, including 11 years as a preschool English teacher at Spectrum Academy’s Overlake campus. She has completed training in Early Childhood Education STARS, CPR and First Aid, and food safety. Laura is passionate about building strong foundations in reading, writing, and other essential academic skills while creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Aimee (Fanglan Li)

Pre-K & Chinese

Fanglan holds a bachelor’s degree and has completed training in Early Childhood Education STARS, CPR, and food safety. She specializes in Chinese language instruction and is passionate about helping Pre-K students build strong language and academic foundations. Dedicated, caring, and attentive, Fanglan creates a warm learning environment where every child feels supported and valued.

Azar Yado

Azar holds a bachelor’s degree in education and has completed training in Early Childhood Education STARS, CPR, and food safety. With her diverse educational background, she brings valuable knowledge, creativity, and cultural awareness to our preschool program.

Maryam Salehi

Maryam holds a master’s degree in accounting from Iran and has 12 years of experience as a financial manager, bringing strong organizational skills, responsibility, and attention to detail. As a mother, she understands the importance of creating a safe, caring, and welcoming environment where every child feels valued. Although new to early childhood education, Maryam brings warmth, patience, creativity, and an appreciation for Persian culture to the classroom. She enjoys music and painting and is excited to help children learn, explore, and grow with confidence.

Golnaz Khaabazan

Golnaz brings more than 20 years of experience working with children from preschool through the early elementary years. She holds a bachelor’s degree and is bilingual in Farsi and English. Warm, patient, and creative, she engages children through hands-on art and culturally enriching activities while sharing elements of Persian culture and traditions. Golnaz believes children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and encouraged, and she is committed to helping every child explore, grow, and build confidence.

Owl

Krystal Wang

Krystal has approximately six years of experience working in childcare. She graduated from the National Taipei University of Business and previously enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a tour guide, earning her company’s Best Employee Award multiple times. Krystal brings extensive life experience, strong communication skills, warmth, and dedication to the Owl classroom.

Xing Lan

Pre-K and After-School

Mr. Lan holds a master’s degree in physical education management and is a champion archer. Passionate about physical education, he engages children in active and enjoyable learning experiences. His energetic and encouraging approach helps children build confidence, improve coordination, and develop a lasting love of movement.

Lynn (Zeqing Lian)

Pre-K and Piano

Lynn’s English name holds special meaning for her, as it is often associated with lakes, ponds, and water. As a piano teacher and Pre-K educator, she enjoys helping young children learn, grow, and express themselves through music and play. In her free time, Lynn loves hiking, skiing, and listening to music.

Candy (Susan Wu)

Lynn’s English name holds special meaning for her, as it is often associated with lakes, ponds, and water. As a piano teacher and Pre-K educator, she enjoys helping young children learn, grow, and express themselves through music and play. In her free time, Lynn loves hiking, skiing, and listening to music.

Sammy (Siew Chan)

Lynn’s English name holds special meaning for her, as it is often associated with lakes, ponds, and water. As a piano teacher and Pre-K educator, she enjoys helping young children learn, grow, and express themselves through music and play. In her free time, Lynn loves hiking, skiing, and listening to music.

Panda

Jessica (Jiajia Xu)

Jessica is a joyful mother of three whose love for children inspired her journey into early childhood education. She studied finance at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and worked for four years in the banking and insurance industry. After moving to the United States, she studied Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College, earning both an ECE Initial Certificate and a Short Certificate.

Jessica is passionate about helping children learn through stories, play, and meaningful everyday experiences. An enthusiastic reader, she especially treasures sharing picture books and laughter with children. In her free time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks and exploring mountain trails and woodland paths with her family. Jessica feels grateful to work with children each day and finds a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in supporting their growth.

Sharon (Hongmei Qin)

Description

Bunny

Lucinia (Lin Shi)

Lucinia graduated from West China University of Medical Sciences, where she studied pharmacy and health administration. In 2024, she completed 20 credits in Early Childhood Education and earned a Washington State Short ECE Certificate. She brings knowledge, creativity, and a caring approach to her work with young children.

In her free time, Lucinia enjoys fitness, gardening, singing, and oil painting. These interests help her maintain a positive, creative, and balanced outlook, which she brings into the classroom each day.

Nataliia Telegin

Toddler

Nataliia is a mother of three and has been a dedicated toddler teacher at Eastside Little Learners for four years. Patient, dependable, and attentive to classroom policies and routines, she provides children with clear and consistent guidance. Her caring yet structured approach helps toddlers develop positive behavior, confidence, and essential daily skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Nazanin Bahrami

Nazanin holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and painting and is a mother of a toddler. Patient, caring, and creative, she especially enjoys working with infants and toddlers and supporting their early emotional development. She engages children through painting, dancing, reading, and play while sharing her appreciation for Iranian art and culture. In her free time, Nazanin enjoys movies, traveling, and spending time in nature.

Kitchen Staff

Lan Dang

Cook & Toddler Program Support

Lan is an experienced and dedicated cook who prepares nutritious and delicious meals for our students and staff. She also supports our full-day toddler program, helping create a nurturing and well-organized environment for our youngest learners.

Yoon Chen

Cook & Toddler Caregiver

Yoon is an experienced and dedicated cook who prepares nutritious and enjoyable meals for our students and staff. She also assists with toddler care, providing patient and attentive support to help children feel safe and comfortable throughout the day.

After-School

Athan Liu

Intern

Athan is a high school student who supports our after-school program as an intern. He assists teachers with classroom activities and engages with students in a friendly and positive manner. Through this experience, Athan is developing valuable communication, teamwork, and leadership skills while contributing to a welcoming learning environment.

We’d love to see you here!

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