Teachers and staff can be contacted through Brightwheel.

 

Aletta Stroder

ECE Director

she/her

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does!”
– William James

I come to Faith Lutheran with a M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University and a B.A. degree in Political Science and Education from Central State University. I have over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and over 10 years of experience in Human Services and as Director of Programs for various agencies providing leadership, guidance, and enthusiasm.

I’ve traveled thousands of miles to join Faith Lutheran because I believe in the inclusive doctrine it has for the staff, parents, children, and community. It was an easy choice for me to join Faith Lutheran because I also believe inclusivity strengthens teams and, in turn, you get better outcomes, which results in better services and stronger communities.

Romans 12:10 says “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Peter 4-10 says “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. As faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” I take great pride in helping and serving others to be whoever they are called to be, and I am excited to be here at Faith Lutheran and ecstatic about what God is about to do!

 

Terri Heavener

Office Support

she/her

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
– Fred Rogers

I am at Faith by the grace of God. I honestly do not remember sending a resume or filling out an application. I received a phone call requesting an interview. I immediately felt at home and knew I would enjoy working here. I had worked for 25 years in another location and wasn’t sure I would ever find that feeling again. I truly appreciate the staff, parents, and children at Faith and hope to stay for many years. I have a BA in Education with Special Education Endorsement from Eastern Washington University.

 

Robin Thomas

Administrative Assistant

she/her

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
– Albert Einstein

Faith Lutheran School has a caring and dedicated team of teachers and staff that I am proud to be a part of. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of Washington, I taught fourth and fifth grade in Mukilteo School District for eight years. As a teacher and parent, I understand the importance of patience, love, and humility when it comes to working with children. I was fortunate to be able to take a five-year hiatus from work to spend time with my two boys before they started school. I’ve spent the last 15+ years working in an accounting firm and am thrilled to have the opportunity to see the growth and development of children again.

In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, especially hiking, running, and gardening. I love to travel to places of great natural beauty.

 

Hyma Bhima

Toddler Teacher

she/her

“Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
– Jim Henson

I am honored to be part of Faith Lutheran, which values both academic excellence and spiritual development, and I look forward to another inspiring year of guiding our young learners on their educational journey.

I strive to create a nurturing and faith-filled learning environment for our youngest learners, with a passion for education and a commitment to instilling Christian values. I joined Faith Lutheran by the grace of God and the Lord helped me to find Faith Lutheran as the right and suitable place to spend my energy with beautiful children.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). I aim to foster a love for learning while instilling values of kindness, respect, and empathy based on Christian principles. I love teaching because I love seeing little children smile when they come to school and enjoy watching them grow.

 

Reyna Castaneda-Zepeda

Multi-Age Preschool Teacher

she/her

“Hugs can do great amounts of good, especially for children.”
– Princess Diana

I am so proud to be part of Faith Lutheran School team. After graduating from Redmond High School in 2014, I took a part-time childcare job not knowing it would open my true passion for working with the youngest of learners! I am certified to teach Early Childhood Education with over a decade of preschool and nanny care experience. I am also fluent in both Spanish and English. I’m happy to say that being with children never leaves me disinterested. My favorite thing about working with kids is that they experience excitement in every part of the day. There is always a song to sing, a game to play, or somewhere to go!

I was born in Portland, Oregon, but grew up here in Washington State. You could say the Pacific Northwest is my home. I am a mother to a beautiful little girl named Abigail. I’m very blessed to come from a big family, and I love spending all my time with them! Some of my favorite activities include camping, traveling to new locations, and attending our favorite sport team games.

 

Malti Dodia

Multi-Age Preschool Teacher

she/her

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.”
– O. Fred Donaldson

I have spent most of my life loving and caring for children and helping them grow. I love watching children learn and have fun while doing it! I have a Master of Science in Chemistry and a certification in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with children for almost 5 years. I have also worked as a paraeducator for a short time to learn more about children with special needs. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. When not working, I love to garden and soak in the Pacific Northwest’s beautiful flora and fauna.

 

Mei Dong

Support Teacher

she/her

I am proud to be a member of the Faith Lutheran School! I am a Tibetan. I have a true passion for working with our youngest learners! Helping each child progress in all areas of their school career – academic, social, language, and motor – is an honor that I accept daily. I strive to create a place for learners that nurtures their growth and motivation in a fun environment. I love to stay active by playing tennis, volleyball, basketball, and swimming! I also enjoy reading, cooking, music, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Grace Graham

Multi-Age Preschool Teacher

she/her

“Called to create and to inspire.”
– Jordan Raynor

I’m so blessed and thankful to be a part of the Faith Lutheran community. I am amazed that God called me here. Jer:33:3 “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” It has been my prayer to find a community that values both academics and Christianity. I am a huge advocate for teaching children the principles of faith and Christianity. God is the author of our faith and nothing is impossible with him.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in the Philippines. I have lived in Bellevue, Washington for more than 20 years. I have worked with children of all ages for many years, back home and here in the United States.

I aspire to create and foster a loving, understanding, safe, and positive learning environment between peers, parents, and children, with determination to explore and grow with them, to exercise good values, to have fun and be open-minded, to play as part of the learning process, to share knowledge from experience and impart wisdom, to demonstrate love unconditionally, and to be an inspiration in deeds and in words.

 

Qian (Elena) Guo

Toddler Teacher

she/her

“Childhood is the most wonderful period in one’s life, the child then is a flower, a fruit, dim intelligence, an endless activity, and a burst of strong desire.”
– Honoré de Balzac

I am so glad to be a part of such an amazing group of educators, in such a wonderful community! As a teacher with a foundation in human resources management, I’m passionate about my role and about fostering the well-being of the children under my care.

Leveraging my academic background, I consistently integrate the theoretical knowledge acquired in school into practical teaching approaches. Actively seeking opportunities to gain experience and be inspired by effective educational methods, I am dedicated to ensuring the healthy and joyful development of the children.

In my ongoing commitment to my professional growth, I aspire to establish open lines of communication and collaborative partnership with both colleagues and families. By working together harmoniously, we can collectively contribute to and strive for a bright and promising future for the children in our care. Let us join forces in this endeavor, ensuring that each child’s journey is marked by growth, happiness, and success.

 

Veena Punyarthi

Support Teacher

she/her

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
– Aristotle

I am so blessed to be part of the Faith Lutheran community. I am so thrilled to be pursuing my passion as a teacher! I truly enjoy every moment I get to spend in my classroom with my students learning about our world. I am jumping for joy to have the opportunity to combine both education and faith! I am a forever student who loves learning. It is my goal to instill a genuine love of learning in my students, while we share fun hands-on opportunities to discover, explore, and learn. My favorite part of teaching is watching the students grow and learn new things. Their excitement when they discover a new concept brings joy to my heart. I have a Master’s degree in Human Resources.

 

Barbara Rubin

Toddler Teacher

she/her

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou

Faith Lutheran reflects a supportive and caring atmosphere, coupled with the message of God’s amazing love for all. I am originally from Michigan but lived in Arizona for over 30 years. I started off my professional career as an elementary school teacher but, after having my first child, decided to switch to teaching preschool. For 30+ years, while living with my family in Arizona, I continued to work in early childhood education. For 12 years, I was the director of a Christian preschool in Arizona. While healing from a broken ankle, I came out to visit my older daughter’s family and decided to stay. I love it here in the PNW! It reminds me of Northern Michigan but with a lot less snow.

 

Hema Soni

Multi-Age Preschool Teacher

she/her

“Children are not vessel to be filled , but lamps to be lit.”
– Swami Chinmayananda

I joined Faith Lutheran in October 2023. I am embarking on an exciting journey into the field of education, driven by my passion for learning and my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young learners. While my background is not in teaching, I bring a wealth of diverse experiences and skills that I believe will enhance the learning environment for my students. I have a BBA in Finance and an MBA in International Business. I am pursuing early childhood training currently.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student has unique talents and abilities waiting to be discovered. I am dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. I am excited to guide my students on their educational journeys and empower them to reach their full potential.

 

Vaibhavi Shah

Toddler Teacher

she/her

“The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught as that every child should be given the wish to learn.”
– John Lubbock

I joined Faith Lutheran in August 2023 and felt instantly connected. I love kids and enjoy teaching my students. I believe that every student has the potential to excel and achieve their goals. I create a nurturing and stimulating classroom environment where students can develop their critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. I use a variety of teaching strategies and resources to cater to the different needs and interests of my students.

I have a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering (BE) and a Diploma in the same field. I am very much into painting and artistic hobbies and crafts. I am grateful to be a part of the Faith Lutheran School community.

 

Swetha Sripathi

Kindergarten Prep Teacher

she/her

“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin

I am thrilled to join the Faith Lutheran School team. With a passion for early childhood education and over 8 years of experience teaching Pre-K and Elementary classes, I am dedicated to providing young children with a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment.

I hold a Master of the Arts and Bachelor’s degree in Science and Education from Osmania University.

I am excited to bring my enthusiasm and expertise to Faith Lutheran School and look forward to working with the team to provide the best possible care and education for the children in our care.

 

Heather Wong

Kindergarten Prep Teacher

she/her

“Giving children encouragement and the gift of time allows them to grow and flourish in preparation for elementary school.”
– Author Unknown

God brought me to Faith for many reasons; most importantly to give children the gift of time – another year to grow academically, socially, and emotionally before entering kindergarten. As a teacher here, I appreciate the fact that we collaborate as a staff, and we have a supportive and caring connection with all of our families. It’s a blessing to see our students grow, mature, and flourish here at Faith Lutheran School! I have a BA in Elementary Education, with Minors in Teaching English as a Second Language and Japanese from Central Washington University.

 

Pastor Debbie Boyce

Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church

she/her

Pastor Debbie began her ministry at Faith in late October 2020. She is enthusiastic about both Sunday morning services and everyday opportunities to learn and worship. She is passionate about her calling as a preacher and providing many ways to hear and connect with God’s word. In her words: “I feel very traditionally Lutheran, but want to be innovative.” She’s excited by Faith’s desire to embrace change, even as we strive to identify what that means. Pastor Debbie and her husband, Bill, have raised five kids and delight in the joy of their six grandchildren. For her, they are the people who daily reflect the love and grace of God. Pastor Debbie welcomes the opportunity to visit and get to know you. Don’t hesitate to contact her.