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.

Tiffany Lohman (Formerly Cromer)

Teacher Specialist

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.

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.

Daphne Blake

Float 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.

Dasha Edmonds

Intern

Dasha grew up in Renton, Washington, just outside of Seattle, and is the oldest of four siblings. Throughout middle and high school, she spent four years coaching basketball, helping children of various ages develop teamwork skills and build each other up.

Dasha is currently studying at Washington State University, pursuing a degree in Marketing. She finds her work with children deeply fulfilling and considers it the most rewarding job she has ever had. Dasha is grateful to be part of the LES family and values the opportunity to make a positive impact each day.

Outside of work and school, Dasha enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, photography, and visiting local farmers markets.

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!

BreAnn Wilponen

Intern

BreAnn was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho. From an early age, she developed a strong interest in arts, crafts, and reading. After graduating from Lewiston High School, she completed a semester at Lewis-Clark State College to fulfill her general education requirements.

Following that semester, BreAnn took time away from school to carefully consider her academic and career goals while working full-time. After thoughtful planning, she decided to pursue a degree in Secondary Education and was accepted to the University of Idaho.

BreAnn is excited to explore the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and is grateful to work in an environment where she can positively impact the lives of children every day.

Manivanh Avery

Senior 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.

Kenzie Michaelis

Senior Infant Teacher

Kenzie was born and raised in the small town of Clatskanie, Oregon. She moved to Pullman to attend Washington State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2021. In 2025, she completed her master’s degree in educational studies. Kenzie has chosen to make Pullman her home because she appreciates the welcoming, small‑town community. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, cooking, and reading. She also loves spending time outdoors, hiking, playing pickleball, or taking road trips with her husband. Kenzie is passionate about early learning and finds great joy in helping children build confidence and experience those meaningful “lightbulb moments.” She is grateful for the opportunity to support your child’s growth, learning, and development.

Shireen Anwary

Lead 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!)

Keyonna Hust

Infant Teacher

Keyonna grew up in Clarkston, Washington, as the youngest of ten children—an upbringing that fostered her patience, adaptability, and strong sense of teamwork. Her passion for working with children began early, inspired by helping her mother in her kindergarten classroom and supporting young learners during the summer months as they prepared for the school year. These formative experiences shaped her commitment to creating warm, supportive learning environments where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn. Outside the classroom, Keyonna enjoys cooking, getting lost in a good book, and exploring the outdoors.

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.

Edith Martinez

Senior 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.

Angie Caldwell

Lead 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.

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

Senior 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.

Kortnee Davidson

Lead 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.

Liv Locatelli

Lead 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

Senior 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.

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

Senior 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.

Julie Johnson

Preschool Teacher

Julie was raised in Lewiston, Idaho, where she completed high school before choosing to spend time in the workforce to explore her interests and develop her skills. She has built a diverse background across several fields, including retail at a beauty supply store, early childhood education as an assistant preschool teacher, and customer service as a receptionist for a storage facility. Over time, Julie discovered that her most meaningful and rewarding experiences came from working in childcare. Her passion for helping children learn, grow, and feel supported continues to guide her professional path. Julie recently relocated to Pullman with her boyfriend and their dog, though she frequently returns to Lewiston to spend time with family. In her free time, she enjoys reading, tackling puzzles, and being with the people she loves most.

Kayla Slater

Senior 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.