2025 14th Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98144

206-328-7475

beaconhill@communitydayschool.org

CDSA is pleased to be able to offer you childcare on-site at Beacon Hill International. Our Beacon Hill preschool program serves children ages 4 and 5, and is part of the city of Seattle’s Step Ahead/Early Learning Network kindergarten readiness program. If you are interested in visiting or enrolling in our preschool, or before and after school Beacon Hill programs please contact our Center Director.

National Accreditation (NAEYC)

CDSA at Beacon Hill is in the process of acquiring national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). To learn more about CDSA’s accreditation process and NAEYC vist our accreditation page.

Nicole Olsen - Center Director

Nicole is a born and raised Seattleite recently returning from a short adventure of living in the Bay Area of California. Prior to her time in California, Nicole worked as the Center Director for Highland Park CDSA for over a year and is excited to be returning to a new adventure as the director at Beacon Hill CDSA.

Nicole has her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University and her Bachelors of Arts in Education from Western Washington University.  Additionally, Nicole holds a Washington State teaching certificate with dual endorsements in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.  Prior to joining the CDSA team Nicole taught grades K-5 for Shoreline, Everett, and Seattle school districts.

Outside of work, Nicole spends a majority of her time with her boyfriend Brian, and adorable kitties, Lloyd and Lucille.  Nicole loves to cycle, hike, and spend time with friends and family.

Florence Combs - Preschool Teacher

Florence Combs comes to CDSA with 15 years of experience within the child education field. She began her career in education at the West Seattle YMCA and later acquired her Child Development Associate certification and Early Childhood Education certificate. Florence is the mother of three boys and has worked with school age children as well as preschoolers. She has brought her outgoing and bright personality to CDSA and is looking forward to being a part of this company and the Early Learning Network.

Maidrine Chen – Preschool Teacher

Maidrine Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan where she later taught Mandarin Chinese. Maidrine moved to Seattle in 2000, received her B.A. in English and began teaching Mandarin Chinese to American students.

Maidrine has a strong passion for visual arts and has visited museums in ten different countries. Also an avid hiker, Maidrine uses inspiration from nature for her own paintings and designs. She brings this passion into the classroom and encourages the children to be creative and to use what is around them to create something all their own.

Nanda Morse – Preschool Teacher

Nanda was born and raised in Kirkland, WA and comes from a long line of teachers starting with her great-great grandmother. She received her college degree in Family and Consumer Science, as well as her Special Education Certification with an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language. Nanda has been teaching for the past 5 years at the preschool level and very much enjoys working with children.

In her free time, Nanda enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, 4×4 off-roading, camping, and spending time with friends and family. Nanda is a dedicated traveler of the world and has been to Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, with Greece and Australia next on her list.

Bill Becker – Enrichment Teacher

Bill is a Seattle native, growing up on Capital Hill and going to Seattle Public Schools his entire youth. After graduating from Garfield High School, Bill went on to earn his BA in English from the University of New Hampshire and later achieved a BA in Communications from the University of Washington. Bill has teaching experience working for Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) in Mishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan and is a CDSA parent as well.

David Phelps - Enrichment Teacher

 

David Phelps has been working with young children for the past 6 years across a variety of settings, including a Reggio Emilia preschool in Burlington, Vermont, a care farm for youth with behavior disorders in Deventer, Netherlands, and an education community center outside of Lima, Peru. He graduated from Hanover, Indiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Theology and has spent the past 3 years in Bloomington, Indiana where he received his Master’s Degree in Educational Research. Born in Austin, Texas he loves reading, biking, ultimate frisbee, and board games.

 Geisa Aguirre - Enrichment Teacher

Geisa was born and raised in Cuba and has lived in Seattle now for almost a year. She is currently studying English at Seattle Central Community College and is looking to earn a degree in Education as well.  This will be Geisa’s first year with CDSA and she brings with her a love for children and passion to help them learn.

In her free time she likes listening to music, reading books, and spending time with friends.

Elizabeth Swarny – Enrichment Teacher

Elizabeth Swarny has been working with Southeast Seattle kids for the past 3 years. She spent two years with the Washington Reading Corps tutoring struggling elementary readers, and most recently managed the Rainier Beach Youth Tutoring Program. She loves kids, art, reading, and crossword puzzles.

 Elizabeth is originally from Eastern Montana, but has lived in Seattle on and off since 2005. She graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma with a degree in English, and plans to return to school this year to pursue her master’s degree in teaching. She wants to stick with Southeast Seattle students as long as she can!

Blessing Okolie – Enrichment Teacher

Blessing grew up in central Seattle. Her ethnic background is Nigerian, and she comes from a big extended family.  She is currently in school and hopes to be a  Child Counselor in the future. She brings to CDSA a vast amount of volunteering experiences.  Most recenty she  volunteered at Cross Connections Homework Help, mentoring and assisting children grades 1 through 12 with homework.

Blessing is a passionate hard worker who is dedicated to fostering healthy relations with children. She looks forward to joining the CDSA family at Beacon Hill!