Our Teachers and Staff
Admin
Rachel Acheson
Childcare Operations Manager
Jess Thompson
Program Coordinator
Crystal Astry
Teacher Specialist
Kitchen
Support Staff
Infant
Manivanh Avery
Lead Infant Teacher
Shireen Anwary
Infant Teacher
Kimberly Petrie
Infant Teacher
Nicole Kpakpassoko
Infant Teacher
Toddler
Tiffany Lohman (Formerly Cromer)
Lead Toddler Teacher
Angie Caldwell
Toddler Teacher
Edith Martinez
Toddler Teacher
Emmy Alt
Toddler Teacher
Big Researcher
Candi McGreal
Lead Toddler Teacher
Liv Renfro
Toddler Teacher
Jordan Stapleton
Toddler Teacher
Kortnee Davidson
Toddler Teacher
Preschool
Kylie Jessup
Lead Preschool Teacher
Shannon Slaughter
Preschool Teacher
Mak Keough
Preschool Teacher
Pre-K
School Age
Rachel Acheson
Childcare Operations Manager
Rachel Acheson is a graduate of Lewis-Clark State College with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Reading Education. She has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. Over that time, she has held various roles, such as teaching kindergarten and preschool, leading groups of volunteers both at a local level for various organizations and the international level with a student travel organization, writing curriculum for a variety of ages, and helping to develop several new educational programs. Rachel has been with Little Edisons School since 2014. Rachel loves getting to work with children as they grow and develop each day.
Jess Thompson
Program Coordinator
Jess grew up in a small town outside of Spokane. Starting at the age of 10, she became part of a family business that taught martial arts. This opportunity allowed her to teach an array of students, from young children to the elderly. Jess attended Montana State where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology. After graduating she returned to her home town, where she began coaching cross-country and track. She found passion in working with and teaching children. Teaching children new skills and watching them achieve tasks they did not believe they were capable of inspire her to achieve other goals for herself. Jess enjoys working with a variety of children of different ages and encouraging children to try new activities.
Crystal Astry
Teacher Specialist
Crystal is originally from Yakima, Washington, and moved to Pullman in 2010. She joins us with 17 years in retail management. Her love of watching children grow and learn is what motivated her to make a career change. She has her AAS degree in Early Childhood Development from Lewis-Clark State College. She lives in Pullman with her husband and three sons, Dylan, Gavyn, and Jaxson. Crystal enjoys cooking, gardening, running, and spending time with her family.
Diane Grigsby
Lead Cook
Diane graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. She has over 20 years of experience in child care and as a preschool teacher. She has previously worked as a lead teacher at Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Diane has a strong passion for providing children with an enriched learning environment and developing their lifelong love of learning. She enjoys meeting new people and in her free time she loves hiking with her dogs and participating in many outdoor activities.
Malia Jensen
Intern
Malia is a native to the Palouse being born and raised outside of Moscow, Idaho. She graduated from Genesee High School in 2024 and is currently attending Lewis-Clark State College working toward a bachelor's degree in Radiographic Science and a minor in Sports Nutrition. Being the oldest of her siblings, Malia has always loved babysitting her younger brother and younger cousins and is pursuing her passion by working with children at LES.
Annabelle Loewen
Intern
Annabelle is a lifelong resident of the Palouse, where she has embraced the values and spirit of small-town living. Throughout her youth, she was actively involved in athletics, participating in track, rodeo, and basketball. After graduating from high school, Annabelle began her college career at Boise State University before transferring to Lewis-Clark State College to be closer to home. She is currently pursuing a degree in psychology with the goal of becoming a licensed therapist. We are proud to recognize Annabelle as the first former Little Edisons student to return as an SEL employee!
Manivanh Avery
Lead Infant Teacher
Manivanh is originally from Laos and she has worked in childcare for more than 15 years. Manivanh especially likes infants and toddlers. She likes helping them learn, watching them grow, and taking care of their basic needs. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going for walks, and spending time with her family and friends.
Shireen Anwary
Infant Teacher
KHOTSO! (Peace!) Shireen started as a substitute teacher in the fall of 2024, transferring from a role in Manufacturing where she worked as a Lead for over 2 years. She moved to the USA from the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, Africa. Back in Lesotho (A country landlocked within South Africa) Shireen was working as Registered Nurse / Midwife at a bustling government hospital taking care of patients. She has two awesome children 6 years old and 1.5, and they are the love of her life including her husband. In her spare time, Shireen enjoys watching British shows from the 80s and 90s, hiking, exploring the USA and Canada, and driving her Jeep. She speaks 3 languages; and she is so happy to be here at LES. Kea Leboha! (Thank you!)
Kimberly Petrie
Infant Teacher
Kimberly was born in St. Maries, Idaho and raised in Germany, where she completed all her education, including two years of higher education focused on early childhood learning and development. Kimberly has been working with children for over 15 years in a variety of settings including coaching Judo, leading youth groups, and volunteering and working in different childcare settings. In 2018 Kimberly returned to Idaho with her two daughters to be closer to family. Before joining Little Edisons, she worked as a paraprofessional at Moscow High School. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys being outdoors and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Nicole Kpakpassoko
Infant Teacher
Nicole grew up in the small town of Togo, Africa. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree, with French as her primary language of instruction. After completing her degree, she moved to the United States, where she lived with her brother and his family, helping to care for her nieces and nephews. After a few stops along the way, Nicole eventually moved with her family to Pullman, Washington, where she is currently attending nursing school while working full-time in our Infant Classroom.
Tiffany Lohman (Formerly Cromer)
Lead Toddler Teacher
Tiffany grew up in many small towns surrounding the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, where she currently resides. She is an avid outdoorswoman and enjoys camping, kayaking, and fishing. She recently reeled in her personal best, a 7'3" long sturgeon. Tiffany found her passion in childcare, where she can make everybody feel like somebody special.
Angie Caldwell
Toddler Teacher
Angie graduated from Indiana University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has been working with children in private childcare, elementary school classrooms, and children’s ministry programs for over sixteen years. Angie is thrilled with the opportunity to begin working with toddlers every day at Little Edisons, because she realizes how important positive interactions and experiences are during those formative years of learning and development.
Edith Martinez
Toddler Teacher
Edith moved to Pullman in February 2021 from Brooklyn, New York, where she was born and raised. Much of her working experience has been in childcare, as working with kids brings her so much joy! In her work she strives to give children fun and fond memories to look back on. She received her bachelor’s in International Studies with a minor in Spanish. She has found Pullman to be a breath of fresh air from the Big Apple. In her free time, she enjoys crafting (embroidery, at the moment), drawing, cooking, and playing video games with her significant other.
Emmy Alt
Toddler Teacher
Emmy is originally from Pullman and spent her early childhood in Worcester, MA. Growing up she spent a lot of time playing in nature and doing arts and crafts with her family. Emmy graduated from Pullman High School and went straight to work. After a year in retail, she joined SEL, where she later got the opportunity to join the LES family. She's so grateful to be able to work with kids, seeing their smiling faces always brightens her day! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, making art, and playing video games.
Candi McGreal
Lead Toddler Teacher
Candi has worked in the field of education for over 25 years. She has previously worked at Potlatch School District and Community Childcare Center. Candi and her husband have three grown children and one grandchild. During her free time, she enjoys camping, sports and spending time with her family. She loves watching students grow and seeing their faces light up when they realize they have accomplished something they worked hard at. Candi is looking forward to being part of the Little Edisons School.
Liv Renfro
Toddler Teacher
Liv is a Toddler teacher from Snohomish Washington. She moved to Pullman to pursue her education in Criminology and Psychology. Liv found such a love for childcare this past year and has enjoyed the opportunity she was given to work at Little Edison School. In her free time, she loves to read, bake, and craft. Liv has found a way to incorporate these passions into her classroom at LES. Liv is very excited to see what the future holds and provide more opportunities for the children of our SEL Employees.
Jordan Stapleton
Toddler Teacher
Jordan graduated from Washington State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a certificate in Early Childhood Development. Working with children has been her dream since she was young, and she is happy to live out this passion here at LES. She previously worked as a lead preschool teacher at Community Child Care Center- St. James in Pullman, WA. Her favorite part about being a teacher is the love she gets to share with the children in her classroom. Walking in the doors every morning and greeted with happy smiling faces is the best feeling. She is very excited to be joining the LES team.
Kortnee Davidson
Toddler Teacher
Kortnee grew up in a small town north of Seattle. She made her way to Pullman to attend Washington State University (WSU), where she earned her degree in human development and psychology and went on to attend Grand Canyon University (GCU) Global to earn her masters in elementary education. She has spent the last 12 years working with children in various settings, including as a camp counselor, small group leader, nanny, and tutor. The last 7 years she has spent gaining experience in several roles within early learning centers. Her favorite part about working with kids is building strong, meaningful relationships and supporting their development at every stage. She believes in meeting children where they are, celebrating their uniqueness, and encouraging their growth. Watching and assisting them in developing the tools they need is what she finds most rewarding.
Kylie Jessup
Lead Preschool Teacher
Kylie graduated from the University of Idaho in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. She has over 9 years of experience in child care and preschool. She previously worked as the lead preschool teacher and childcare director at Moscow Day School. Kylie enjoys helping preschoolers learn through play and through experience, and watching their eyes light up when she shows them something new; like demonstrating what happens when vinegar reacts with baking soda, drawing their attention to the sounds the leaves make in the wind, and inviting musical guests to the classroom to expose them to different musical instruments.
Shannon Slaughter
Preschool Teacher
Shannon has enjoyed teaching at Little Edisons School for over 5 years, first in the School Age room and currently with Preschool and Pre-K. She discovered her love for teaching Preschoolers while working as an Aide in her daughter's Head Start class starting in 2006. Prior to Little Edisons School, Shannon worked full-time at Moscow Day School for 5 years. Before that she worked part-time as the Branch Manager of the Albion Library. That is probably why her favorite thing to do with the Preschool kids is to read to them. Outside of work, Shannon loves to read, try new recipes, and spend time with her family. At work, she treasures the time she spends with these great kids and the opportunities she gets to know their families.
Mak Keough
Preschool Teacher
Mak is originally from a small town north of Seattle and moved to the Palouse in 2020 to be closer to friends and family. She brings a rich background in child-focused roles, including volunteering in equine therapy, working as a summer camp counselor, and serving as a private nanny and tutor. Watching children develop new skills and take pride in their accomplishments is why she chose this career path, and it inspires her every day. She is excited to be a part of the LES team!
Leesa Savage
Lead Preschool Teacher
Originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming, Leesa moved to Pullman in 2007 and has considered it home ever since. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Washington State University and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University. With over a decade of experience in the field of education, Leesa has worked with children in a variety of settings, including early childhood programs and elementary classrooms, where she has taught both kindergarten and first grade. Leesa’s lifelong passion for teaching began in childhood and continues to drive her work today. She finds fulfillment helping to foster learning, growth, and confidence in young children through play-based exploration and meaningful connections.
Megan Wood
Preschool Teacher
Megan was raised in Boise, Idaho where she had her first introduction to working with children through babysitting. After attending the Idaho Fine Arts Academy for parts of high school, Megan moved to Moscow to attend the University of Idaho. While attending university, an opportunity presented itself in Pennsylvania where Megan could pursue her passions in art and child development. As the instructor for drawing and painting, Megan’s decision to work with children was solidified. After this experience, Megan returned to Moscow and chose to continue shaping the minds of the upcoming generations.
Kayla Slater
Lead School Age Teacher
Kayla is originally from Wallace, ID. She moved to the Palouse where she attended Lewis-Clark State College for two years, then transferred to the University of Idaho where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. Kayla loves working with all ages of children because it is amazing to see their growth and development every day. She currently lives in Moscow with her fiancé and their two cats. She enjoys reading and spending time anywhere near water.
Daphne Blake
School Age Teacher
Born in Colorado and growing up practically everywhere else, Daphne comes to Little Edisons School with a wealth of experiences. Daphne’s first experiences in childcare were coming back from Niger to work in America as a camp counselor over the summer. She quickly discovered she loved showing off her silly voices, helping children understand science, and working with kids to achieve personal goals they never thought they could conquer. Since those first experiences, Daphne has volunteered as a 7th-grade science teacher, has taught kids of all ages the basics of coding, and is now serving the Pullman-Moscow community at Little Edisons School.
Contact
To contact our main office call 509-338-4004