Welcome to Tulalip
Early Learning Academy

The Tulalip Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy (BJTELA) offers the highest quality services for children ages birth to five, and their families. Our facility, located on approximately 4 acres overlooking Tulalip Bay, strives to maintain excellent early learning standards. We have several options available, including a birth – 3 program (Early Head Start), an age 3 – 5 preschool program offering ECEAP, Montessori, and child care. The school program is free to eligible students.

TELA Expansion

TELA will add an additional three classrooms for the birth-to-three program with the expansion. Once the new wing is complete, the new classrooms will be larger in size and provide space for more kids in each class. The new wing is slated to open in the Fall of 2023.

The Tulalip Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy official site - Culture and Language image of traditional hand drums in a classroom.

Culture and Language

BJTELA is revitalizing the Lushootseed Language and Culture by bringing our cultural way of life back to our children and families through our classroom activities and our special cultural days.

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Child showing a cool cookie – curriculum

Curriculum

BJTELA not only offers a quality academic and social/emotional educational experience for children from birth to five, but also provides numerous services that support and strengthen the well-being of children and families.

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At BJTELA, we do our best to ensure that children get their educational needs met academically, culturally, and socially emotionally.

Referral Services

BJTELA provides referral services to children and families including Music Therapy, Reflective Network Therapy, Speech Therapy, and we partner with Marysville School District to provide Developmental Preschool.

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Our Services Include:

  • Education:
    • Child centered, developmentally appropriate curriculum
    • Language and literacy, math and science
    • Social/emotional and problem solving skills
    • Teacher–to–student ratio exceeds the minimum standards
  • Family Support:
    • Resources and referrals
    • Home visits and family events
    • Leadership opportunities and adult education
  • Health and Nutrition:
    • Developmental screenings
    • Health screenings
    • Personal safety curriculum
    • Healthy meals

Our programs serve children and families in Tulalip and the Marysville School District service area.

Meet the Staff

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kira Swanson, Teacher Assistant.

Kira Swanson

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Cynthia Lopez, Teacher.

Cynthia Lopez

Teacher

Image of teacher assistant Jamila Zahir

Jamila Zahir

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Anna Foldesi, Teacher Assistant.

Anna Foldesi

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Teresa Frane, Teacher.

Teresa Frane

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Olivia Gomez, Teacher Assistant.

Olivia Gomez

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kelly Lute, Teacher.

Kelly Lute

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jeniffer Romer, Teacher

Jeniffer Romer

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Marissa Reeves, Teacher Assistant.

Marissa Reeves

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Katina Brown, Teacher Assistant.

Katina Brown

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Rica Carson, Teacher Assistant.

Rica Carson

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Desirae Williams, Teacher Assistant.

Desirae Williams

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Sheila Pierre, Teacher.

Sheila Pierre

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kristina Reeves, Teacher.

Kristina Reeves

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Erin Smith, Teacher.

Erin Smith

Teacher

Image of TELA staff member Annie Enick

Annie Enick

Family Advocate

Image of teacher assistant Isabel Gomez

Isabel Gomez

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy Marcilena Vela, Birth to Three Administrator.

Marcilena Vela

B-3 Manager

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Stella Moreno, Teacher.

Stella Moreno

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Angelina Reeves, Teacher Assistant.

Angelina Reeves

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Shannel Perbera, Teacher Assistant.

Shannel Perbera

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Bradley Althoff, Teacher.

Bradley Althoff

Teacher

Anita Buxton Teacher

Anita Buxton

Teacher

Carlie Blatchford

Carlie Blatchford

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Yoshie Matsui Kitchens, Teacher Assistant.

Yoshie Matsui Kitchens

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Tami Burdett, Montessori Manager.

Tami Burdett

Montessori Manager

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Sherrie Orr, Teacher.

Sherrie Orr

Teacher

Health Safety & Nutrition Coordinator

Allie Taylor

Health Safety and Nutrition Coordinator

Alicia Carlisle B-3 Family Advocate

Alicia Carlisle

B-3 Family Advocate

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Taylor Burdett, Education, Disabilities Administrator.

Taylor Burdett

ECEAP Manager

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Briana Chavez Howlett, Teacher Assistant.

Briana Chavez Howlett

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Michelle Cooper, Education Coordinator Birth to Three.

Michelle Cooper

Education Coordinator B–3

Nicole has an AA in early childhood education and has worked at TELA for over a year.

Nicole Crandall

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Yunidia Oropeza, Assistant Teacher.

Yunidia Oropeza

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Briana Saiz, Teacher Assistant.

Briana Saiz

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Molly Hatch, Teacher Coach.

Molly Hatch

Birth-3 Teacher Coach

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kristy Chuckulnaskit, Teacher Assistant.

Kristy Chuckulnaskit

Teacher Assistant

Shala Douglas Teacher

Shala Douglas

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jasmine Jack, Teacher.

Jasmine Jack

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jaclyn Molina, Teacher.

Jaclyn Molina

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Mitena Matta, Teacher Assistant.

Mitena Matta

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Melissa Salinas, Teacher.

Melissa Salinas

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Sheryl Fryberg, Director.

Sheryl Fryberg

Director

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Carmel Savoie, ECEAP Family Advocate.

Carmel Savoie

ECEAP Family Advocate

Image of TELA staff member Katrina Lane

Katrina Lane

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Mona LaFlore, Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Mona LaFlore

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Stacy Miranda, Teacher.

Stacy Miranda

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Juli Sotomayer, Teacher.

Juli Sotomayer

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Shoshanna Haskett, Preschool Teacher.

Shoshanna Haskett

Preschool Teacher

Image of TELA staff member AJ Parrish

AJ Parrish

Montessori Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Christy Schmuck, Teacher.

Christy Schmuck

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kara Hoskins, Teacher Assistant.

Kara Hoskins

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jamie Frick, Teacher.

Jamie Frick

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Ramona Stearns, Teacher.

Ramona Stearns

Teacher

Image of teacher assistant Laurissa Chavez

Laurissa Chavez

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Sarah Cleveland, Teacher.

Sarah Cleveland

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Chantel Lemp, Family Advocate.

Chantel Lemp

Family Advocate

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Marcella Gonzales, Teacher.

Marcella Gonzales

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Leah Williams, Teacher.

Leah Williams

Teacher

Christina Hayes Teacher Assistant

Christina Hayes

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Marysa Sylvester, School Counselor.

Marysa Sylvester

School Counselor

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Mekyla Fryberg, ERSEA/Grants Administrator.

Mekyla Fryberg

B-3 Grants Manager

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Justice Vela, Teacher Assistant.

Justice Vela

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Kristin Brown, Teacher Assistant.

Kristin Brown

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Makyna Lancaster, Teacher Assistant.

Makyna Lancaster

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Elsa Apolinar, Teacher Assistant.

Elsa Apolinar

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jessyca Tsoodle, Teacher.

Jessyca Tsoodle

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Cidney Marteney, Teacher Assistant.

Cidney Marteney

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Mary Sewell, Preschool Teacher.

Mary Sewell

Preschool Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Cheryl Chuckulnaskit, Teacher Assistant.

Cheryl Chuckulnaskit

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Absyde Ann Dacoscos, Teacher Assistant.

Absyde Ann Dacoscos

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Julie Dompier, Teacher.

Julie Dompier

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Samantha Marteney, Teacher.

Samantha Marteney

Teacher

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Dana Jones, Teacher Assistant.

Dana Jones

Teacher Assistant

The Tulalip Tribes’ Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy staff member Jasmine Salazar, Teacher Assistant.

Jasmine Salazar

Teacher Assistant