Meet Our Team
Jennifer Kelty, Executive Director
Jennifer grew up in Arizona but has called Seattle home for the past 35 years. She has managed nonprofit early learning programs for the past 32 years and started her career as a teacher and ECEAP administrator before joining TCC as the Executive Director in 2007. In addition to her work with TCC, she is a weekend supervisor/social worker with WA State’s Department of Children, Youth and Families Child Protective Services Division. She has also worked as a family advocate and previously served as a CASA (court appointed special advocate) volunteer with King County’s Dependency Court.
Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, and certificates in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Nonprofit/Fundraising Management, and Human Resources from the University of Washington. She volunteers with several community nonprofits and spends her spare time with her son Dakota, who is an RN at the UW Medical Center, and her two feisty felines, Sir Alfie Beans and Fergus AF. When she is not working or volunteering, you can usually find her somewhere out in the woods, scaring the wildlife away with her singing.
Martin Salinas, Program Supervisor
Martín is originally from Mexico and moved to California in 1984. He graduated from St. John’s Seminary College in 1998 and later moved to Seattle with his family. He joined The Children’s Center staff as a Pre-K Teacher when the center opened in 1998 and has been a part of TCC ever since. Martín also taught Spanish at Arbor Heights in West Seattle and was an adult ESL instructor with a nonprofit in White Center, Burien and Sea-Tac.
Martín and his wife have four children ranging from fifteen to twenty-four years old, and several of his children have also worked at TCC in recent years. Martín lives in Sea-Tac and loves playing soccer, dancing, and spending time with his family. He also volunteers at his children’s school(s) and in the community. He feels that he has always had a calling to teach and loves working with learners of all ages.
Tanay Kouyate, Program Manager
Tanay has been part of TCC for 25 years. She started working as a summer volunteer with TCC when she was in middle school and taught for several years in our PreK class. Later on she served as our Program Coordinator before becoming our Program Manager. In June 2018, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College and recently completed the Nonprofit Management Certificate program at the University of Washington. Tanay believes in the importance of being a part of a child’s growth and values helping children go down the right path to be successful adults and community members. She was born and raised in Seattle and is a graduate of several neighborhood schools including Northgate, Wedgwood, and Bryant Elementary. She also attended Eckstein, Seahawks Academy, and Northgate Middle College where she served as student body president.
Tanay loves to travel and participate in Guinean cultural events, and is big on spending time with her husband, family, and friends! Tanay also loves meeting new families and building community partnerships to welcome everyone to the wonderful TCC family.
Melissa Graham, Program Coordinator
Melissa is originally from Brooklyn, New York. She moved to Seattle in the summer of 1998. She has a teenage son and a daughter that attends TCC. Melissa is passionate about serving in her community. She is actively involved in outreach and advocacy for populations experiencing homelessness, and she is a member at Roots Community Church where she also volunteers in Hospitality and Children’s Ministry. Melissa has worked with children in both early learning programs and with at-risk youth in community organizations prior to starting at TCC in 2022. Melissa is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Care & Education at the University of Washington.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending quality time with her family and close friends, going on walks, reading, and watching movies.
Gail Ticeson, Administrative Coordinator
Gail was born and raised in Seattle. She attended the UW earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and followed her love of marine animals to the Bahamas where she tracked and researched sharks. After coming back to “reality” she worked in marketing at Nordstrom for several years before starting her family. She has been a part of TCC for too many years to count – all four of her own kids, along with three nieces and nephews are TCC alumni! She enjoyed being a part of the TCC family so much that she has never left, always lending a hand in the office and sometimes in the classrooms.
When she isn’t working, she is spending time with her kids and is a shuttling them to and from various activities, locally and beyond. She loves the water and often yearns to get back (surfing) on and (scuba diving) under the waves when has the time and energy.
Malgorzata Kozubczyk, Seattle Preschool Program / Pre-Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
Malgorzata was born and raised in Poland, where she earned a degree in Economics and worked in banking before moving to Seattle in 1995. From there she split her time raising two wonderful children and going to college to become a Pharmacy Technician. She spent countless hours volunteering at her children’s schools and Polish scouting events. She has always had a natural connection with children and enjoys spending time with kids of all ages. Malgorzata joined the TCC team in 2017 in our Toddler classroom before moving to our PreK classroom. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College.
In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, biking, and traveling to Poland to visit her family and friends.
Isabel Warren, Seattle Preschool Program / Pre-Kindergarten Co-Lead Teacher
Isabel was born and raised in Seattle and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education & Family Studies in 2024. She grew up in a Latino/African American household and enjoys spending time with kids. She grew up taking care of her three younger siblings and has worked with young children since 2019. She began her TCC journey as an intern through the University of Washington in 2022 and is now working full time in our Pre-K classroom.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new music and recipes, and building community in any way she can.
Hannah Graham, Seattle Preschool Program / Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Hannah was born and raised in Seattle, WA. She has extensive experience babysitting and caring for family members as well as working in childcare with her church bible study. She is very passionate about working with kids and is currently working towards a degree in early childhood education.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, anything crafty / DIY, cooking/baking, listening to music and spending time with her family and friends.
Yordanka El Tahel, Preschool Co-Lead Teacher
Yordanka iis originally from Bulgaria and came to Seattle with her husband and two children in 1997. She studied medicine and worked as a pediatrician for 12 years in Bulgaria before coming to the United States and joining the TCC team in 2000. Yordanka holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College, and her dedication to working with young children and families continues to grow as she focuses on their social-emotional, physical and cognitive development. Yordanka is also trilingual and fluent in Bulgarian, Russian and English.
In her free time, Yordanka enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and spending time with her family.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new music and recipes, and building community in any way she can.
Shaban Bihi, Preschool Co-Lead Teacher
Shaban is originally from Somalia and in 2003 completed a child development education credential for kindergarten through 8th grade. She moved to Seattle in 2006, shifted to health care and attended Seattle Central College. She completed a CMA program and worked as a certified medical interpreter from 2009-2018. She worked as medical assistant for the last 12 years in a variety of health care settings. Shaban believes working with children brings joy, and has two children of her own, Awo and Amaar who are both TCC alumni!
During her spare time Shaban spends time at the lake because she loves water and nature.
Holly Robinson, Preschool Assistant Teacher
Holly was born in Bonney Lake, WA and raised in Sammamish, WA. She has lived in Washington, California, Indiana, and Nevada all while completing her undergraduate studies. Holly graduated in 2020 from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies. She is passionate about early childhood and has been a nanny for the past five years. Prior to her experience as a nanny, she spent time at a few nonprofits that focus on early childhood education.
Holly loves to spend weekends with her husband, tiny dog, and sassy bearded dragon. She also loves to play with her niece and nephew and go on long walks in the forest in her spare time.
Nahomi Abe, Toddlers Co-Lead Teacher
Nahomi grew up in Honolulu and is fluent in Japanese. She moved around frequently as a child and in addition to Hawaii has lived in Australia, Japan, and Chicago and has studied abroad in Seoul as well, where she learned a bit of Korean. After graduating from the University of Hawaii, she moved to Seattle to be able to experience all four seasons of weather! Nahomi worked in the customer service industry for over a decade but wanted to find something more fulfilling and started her career in early learning at TCC in 2022. She is currently working with (and learning from) the children in the Toddlers classroom while pursuing a degree in Early Learning at North Seattle College.
When she isn’t working, she enjoys traveling, finding new places to eat, being creative, and relaxing at home.
Khadija Jallow, Toddlers Co-Lead Teacher
Khadija was born and raised in Seattle and spent most of her younger years in Bellevue. After graduating high school, she moved to North Seattle and has been there ever since. Her parents immigrated from Gambia, West Africa, and she is the oldest with two younger siblings. She started working with children when she was 18 and has enjoyed learning from and with them for over 10 years. She started at the YMCA as a summer camp counselor at Camp Orkila and moved from there to teaching younger age groups at different centers. She loves and adores children and getting to know all their different and unique personalities. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Learning.
In her free time, you will find her going on hikes, doing silly activities with friends and family, reading and exploring new restaurants or watching Harry Potter for the millionth time.
Naoll Beku, Toddlers Assistant Teacher
Naoll was born in Ethiopia and moved to Seattle in 2014 where she currently lives with her mom and four siblings. She is multilingual speaking Amharic, Oromo, and English. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2024 and is currently studying health and education at Seattle Central College. Beyond earning her B.A. degree, she hopes to attend law school in the future.
In addition to working at TCC, she is also a Sunday school teacher at Medhane-Alem Church. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, hiking and running.
*Fun fact: In high school she competed 4 years of track and field, and two years of softball; she also tries new coffee shops every week!
Erika Hyun, Waddlers Co-Lead Teacher
Erika is originally from Hawaii and after exploring many other states, eventually fell in love with Washington and has been here ever since. She has been working in childcare programs since 2001. She started out as an infant teacher and is currently working as a Co-Lead Teacher in our Waddlers classroom. Erika was a P-Patch Teacher and an Art Teacher in the past and has been cooking since she was four and comes from a family of bakers. She joined TCC in 2018 and is currently pursuing a degree in Early Learning at North Seattle College.
Erika and her daughter Skyler love to explore low tides and picnic at the various parks around the Seattle and Shoreline area. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening with her family.
Malinda Chhay, Waddlers Co-Lead Teacher
Malinda was born in the small town of West Covina, California but grew up in the Lacey/Olympia area of Washington. She moved to the Seattle/Shoreline area in 2023 and is still working on navigating Seattle with her handy dandy GPS. Malinda has been working in childcare for 8 years with all ages and absolutely enjoys it. She is excited to be a part of the TCC family and continue her childcare experience here. She is pursuing a degree in Early Care & Education at the University of Washington.
Outside of work, Malinda is mom to a 12-year-old daughter and two rambunctious kitties. She also loves music, live theater, and food.
Misrak Hailegeorgis, Waddlers Assistant Teacher
Misrak is originally from Ethiopia and has been working with children for more than 15 years. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and feels working with children is her passion. Over her course of studies, she has learned a lot and feels children need to experience a variety of activities throughout their day to help them grow physically and mentally to further help figure out what interests them most. She learns about each child as she watches and interacts with them playing and learning. Good communication and working hand in hand amongst teachers, children, and their families will help each child grow and thrive.
Yuanyuan (Kira) Ni, Float Teacher
Kira is from Shanghai, China. She came to the United States in 2017 and attended a Christian High School in Portland, Oregon. She moved to Seattle in 2019, completed an Associate Degree in Psychology at Seattle Central College, and is currently studying psychology and education at the University of Washington. Kira previously worked with children aged 2-8 in Shanghai and taught English to kids of all ages. Kira loves playing with kids and joined TCC in 2023.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.
Kevin Salinas, Float Teacher
Kevin was born and raised in Federal Way and is fluent in English and Spanish. Kevin is currently attending the University of Washington working towards earning a degree in Education. Kevin works as a float teacher and enjoys working with all age groups.
Kevin lives in Seattle and goes back to Federal Way most weekends to see his family. He loves to play soccer and dance at parties. When he lived in Federal Way, he would take care of his two younger siblings. His favorite thing to do is hang out with his cousins.
Carmen Sanchez, Float Teacher
Carmen grew up in Washington where she has lived in Burien, White Center, SeaTac, and Tukwila, but currently resides in Federal Way. She was born in a Mexican/American household and speaks English and Spanish. She has traveled to Mexico every year since she was 9 years old and loved the sense of community. She bonded with a lot of the young kids in the neighborhood she stayed at, which made her realize that she wanted to work with young children. Carmen is currently studying at the University of Washington pursing a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in Education. She joined TCC in early 2022 and loves spending time with the kids and seeing them grow.
In her free time, Carmen enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as reading, traveling, and trying new foods.
Milki Beku, Float Teacher
Milki was born in Ethiopia and raised in the city of Hawassa. In 2014 she moved to Seattle with her mom, two brothers, and two sisters. She is a senior at Roosevelt High School and speaks both Amharic and English fluently. She joined TCC as an intern through the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and hopes to pursue a career path in the health field, where she can care for people and make a positive difference in their lives.
Church is a big part of Milki life, it’s where she finds strong sense of community and peace. Her faith plays a major role in shaping who she is and how she approaches life. In her free time, Milki enjoys walks, being outside, and loves coffee, and spending time with her family and friends.
Zoe Onwuneme, Float Teacher
Zoe was born in Dallas, TX, and moved to Seattle when she was 4 years old. She grew up in Queen Anne with her younger brother and Nigerian parents. Every summer she visits her extended family in Texas. She is a currently a high school senior at Holy Names Academy.
In her free time, Zoe loves hiking, coloring, and playing the violin. When she is not at school or at work you will find taking a walk or bike ride on one of the various trails in Seattle. She also loves to spend time with her younger brother and friends.
Zoe began working at TCC as a TIPS (Teens in Public Service) intern and is now a float teacher. She is excited for what the future holds!
““We just feel so fortunate to have our little one with you all. So many people don’t have care they can trust and rely on, where their children are 100% safe and loved. We are really grateful! Thank you!!!””
2024 TCC Board Members:
Jessica Gonzalez (President), Andrea Lewis (Vice President), Breanne Buckley (Treasurer), Gina Copping (Secretary), Whitney White, Kerala Cowart, Kim Humphries