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.

Ryli Lind

Teacher Specialist

Miss Ryli grew up in Nashua, Iowa. She moved out to Pullman to get a change in scenery in fall 2015. She left behind her sixteen siblings to pursue a life of her own. Since she grew up in a large family, Early Childhood Education seemed to fit her passions and needs in a career setting. Ryli worked at another childcare center in Pullman for 5 years before joining the LES team. In her spare time, she loves to go to the gym, hike, travel, and spend time with the people around her. Ryli loves to encourage people to be the best they can be. She is grateful for the opportunity to influence and love on our kids at LES.

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.

Shireen Anwary

Support 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!)

Bridget Cleary

Intern

Bridget is from western Washington. Growing up, Bridget swam competitively from K-12. Her first job was as a lifeguard at her local pool, where she learned her love of teaching others by becoming a swim instructor for all ages. She is currently a junior at Washington State University, majoring in chemistry and minoring in mathematics. When she is not working at LES as a childcare intern, Bridget is an organic chemistry teaching assistant and an undergraduate researcher for the chemistry department's chair. In her free time, she is either hanging out with her two cats or doing crafts. Her favorite thing to make is homemade cards for her grandma in Ohio. Bridget brings her love of teaching others to all the classrooms and is always excited to work on art projects with the children.

Abby Lee

Intern

Abby Lee grew up in Bellingham, Washington. She is currently working toward her degree in psychology and human development at Washington State University and will graduate in the spring of 2025. Abby plans to continue her education and eventually work as a youth counselor. Abby loves being a part of Little Edisons School and enjoys time with the children as well as learning from the dynamic staff. Abby believes passionately in promoting learning through play and strives to make her time with the children as engaging and fun as possible.

Nohemy Labra

Lead Infant Teacher

Nohemy was born and raised in Idaho. She moved to Moscow to attend the University of Idaho and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelors in Child Development and Family Relations. While attending school, Nohemy started working with children ages birth to 5. Ever since, she has found a passion to work with children and families. She enjoys getting to meet new people and learning about their culture. Her favorite pastime is playing volleyball and spending time with friends and family.

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.

Natasha Chrisp

Infant Teacher

Natasha graduated from Washington State University in 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Spanish. She has worked with children since a young age, teaching karate and other sports. Previously, Natasha worked as an intern for Little Edisons School (LES) for two years while completing her degree. In her free time, Natasha enjoys reading, journaling, playing sports, and going on hikes in nature. Natasha also loves being active at LES, singing and dancing with the children. Seeing the children’s faces light up as they express themselves makes her day!

Naomi Yu

Infant Teacher

Yeong-hui, who goes by Naomi in the US, is originally from South Korea, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education. Naomi has over 15 years of teaching experience as an English and math instructor at the primary and secondary levels. She also founded an English and math academy for pre-K to secondary-level students. It was here that she first began to work closely with pre-K students, and learn more about early childhood education, and learn how the hands-on nature of a STEM-based curriculum can be greatly beneficial for young minds. Naomi is the proud mother of three amazing children and the wife of a supportive husband. Naomi and her family are all very happy to be in Pullman, and she is grateful to be a part of Little Edisons School at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL).

Kortnee Davidson

Infant 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.

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.

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.

Lisa McIntosh

Lead Preschool Teacher

Lisa graduated from the University of Idaho in 2006 and obtained her B.S in Elementary Education K-8. She is proud to brag that she has been employed at Little Edisons School since it first opened its doors almost 4 years ago and has always been a teacher in the Preschool/PreK room!

In the previous 8 years before LES she had worked in Moscow, Idaho, childcare centers: Palouse Early Learning Center and St. Rose’s Childcare in lead Kindergarten and Preschool teacher roles. Lisa loves working with children because children make her laugh and smile and because they inspire her to approach the world with curiosity, patience, and joy.

Susan Masson

Preschool Teacher

Susan earned her BFA from the University of Washington. She earned her masters from Pratt University in Brooklyn, NY. Susan lived as a working artist in NYC for over 20 years. She then lived in Portland, where she taught Spanish. Susan has been working with children since 1991.

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.