Meet our fabulous team!
Miss Lauren
Owner/Director
Lauren’s career in child care started over 20 years ago. During this time she has worked as a nanny, preschool teacher, had an in-home child care center, and now Bella Mente and Bella Mente East. Her love of children is evident in her every day interactions with children and staff. She finds joy in knowing that we are shaping children in to who they will become as adults. Her approach to childcare focuses on teaching independence, confidence, self-worth, love for each other and respect towards people and things. Lauren makes Bella Mente the beautiful community that is through her love and leadership.
Miss Allie
Allie finds education to be very rewarding and has been in the field for over ten years. Her empathetic and encouraging personality allows her to truly connect with the children she works with. She loves to witness children acquire new skills and observe them learning and sharing something new that they’re excited about. You can often find her at the sensory bin or with iron beads engaging in some hands on creating with her friends. As she engages she assists the children in cultivating love/respect within themselves and those around them. Outside of work, you can find Allie among the trees, at a playground with her two kids or in the water. She loves biking, paddle boarding, and rock climbing. During the rainy season you may find her inside reading a good book or drawing. We are very excited to have Allie as part of the Bella Mente Community.
Miss Carly
Carly, an outdoor loving, laid back and funny teaching began her early childhood education career in 2010. If you were to walk into her classroom at any given moment, your chance of catching her sitting on the floor with a crowd of kids reading a stack of books would be high. Watching the growth that the children show during their time in Carly's care, and knowing that she has played a vital role in their development is what has driven her to continue on her career path. Carly is a wonderful asset to our community and helps children strive for autonomy daily.
Miss Cascade
Hi, my name is Cascade. I am a mom of 3 and have been in the early childhood field for over 15 years. I have my Masters in Education with an emphasis on early childhood education, and have just expanded my focus to help new families in their prenatal and postpartum journeys.
My journey with Bella Mente began in 2011 when I moved to Seattle for the first time. Since then I have moved back and forth and currently live in California. I have spent time working in all the classrooms as an assistant, teacher and program supervisor. I am now here to support you on the back end of your experience at Bella Mente and am here if you have any questions.
Miss Cristina
Hi everyone my name is Cristina but you can call me Tina! I started to work in early childhood education since my teenage years, and I have absolutely love it, this has been a rewarding experience for me, I love to see the kids grow. Outside of work I love to read, I love art such as drawing, painting, and I am learning about digital art. I love going to places with my friends, and spend time with my family, my family lives in a different country so I make sure when I go visit to make every single minute count, and create unforgettable memories, as I believe family is really important.
Miss Danielle
Danielle has been working in early childhood education since 1999. Outside of work, you can catch her by the pool soaking up the sun on a nice day with her girls. AND, if you so happen to take a vacation to Lake Chelan during the summer months , you may just find her there! In the classroom this delightfully funny teacher can be found animatedly reading stories to a captive audience. Her loyalty to her students, co-workers, and parents has made her career in early childhood education rewarding. Few can say they have spent over twenty years telling children how they can remember when they were a baby and find so much joy in watching them grow.
Miss Iran
My name is Iran Reyes and I have 5 years of experience in early childhood education. Plus, I have a younger brother whom I have taken care of since birth.
My thoughts behind childhood are that is needs to be cherished and loved because we all one have ONE childhood. We, as adults need to give the best for those short years of cherished moments and experiences.
A little bit about myself: I am from Mexico and have lived here for about 9 years now. I came to the country without speaking any English and had to learn it fro scratch. My favorite foods are sushi and Mexican food. I love to drink tea and draw in my free time. My most precious things in life are my family.
Miss Jamie
Jamie started her education career in 2003. Jamie is an artist inside and outside of the classroom. Her love of combining art and sensory allows for kids of all ages to express themselves creatively and freely. Jamie is passionate about helping children discover their own interests and create their own path to the answers they seek through the many different activities she provides in the classroom. It is this open minded approach to learning and discovery that makes Jamie a valued member of our team and is helping to form life long learners at Bella Mente.
Miss Karina
Hi, my name is Karina Ibarra. My journey in early childhood education began during my teenage years, where I started by taking care of small cousins and family friends' kids. Witnessing their growth and development has been a pleasure, as well as observing them develop their personalities and independence. Aside from work, listening to music or reading an engrossing book are activities I enjoy. While genres do not restrict me when it comes to books, if the content captures my interest, I will certainly finish it. However, with regard to music, old Mexican songs and BTS, my favorite boy-band, top my playlist. Personally, I lean towards introversion preferring quieter surroundings while doing things that please me over being outdoors. Nonetheless, spending time with loved ones always takes precedence.
Miss Katie
Miss Katie began her childhood education career in 2019, when she moved to South Korea and taught English for 3 years. While living there, she discovered a love for using creative ways to help kids of all ages learn and thrive! Miss Katie enjoys asking questions in the classroom and listening to the unique ways kids think about their world. She finds it fascinating to observe as children interact with each other and find new interests together. Her favorite activity in the classroom is story telling and she will often be found reading storybook after storybook to groups of kids! Outside of work, Miss Katie enjoys taking walks by the water, reading a good book, and exploring the city.
Miss Molly
Molly began working in early childhood education in 2019. Her kind heart, beautiful singing voice, and encouragement puts those in her care at ease. With her strong desire to see the children grow not only in their skill set, but also mindset allows those in Molly's care thrive. Watching them thrive is what she finds most rewarding. When not at work, Molly enjoys spending time with her family. The mutual respect and kindness Molly shows to everyone in her presence along with hardworking frame of mind makes her a valued teacher in our school.
Mr Pieper
Pieper has been working for Bella Mente on and off since 2012. When he first started he was very intimidated by the baby room but after spending more time in there and being trained by Brenda(the best to ever do it), he fell in love with it and will do it until he retires. He is the co-lead teacher with Molly in the newcomer room. Together they make what he likes to refer to as the dream team, they’re the perfect combo and complement each other in so many aspects. Pieper intentionally goes into every classroom throughout every day to see all of his “babies” and maintain the bonds that have been created. He loves 90’s and 2000’s hip hop/rap and makes sure all the kids learn what real music is. Plus he’s known to throw one hell of a dance party. Pieper has also recently become obsessed with fish and has setup tanks in each of the classrooms for the kids to enjoy and learn about. He would like to thank Lauren for creating such a loving community that lets kids be themselves and explore any and everything they want to. We as teachers and kids learn together through play based activities. The kids learn that whatever emotion they may be feeling that they have a safe place to feel that and express it. It’s something he wished he had the opportunity when he was a kid to be apart but it’s something that will forever be apart of him. Lauren’s vision and passion for the Reggio Emilia approach is why he gets to wake up everyday and love his job.
Miss Robin
Robin is a whimsical and passionate teacher who has been proud to call Bella Mente her home since 2022. She has been working in the early childhood field since 2014 and received her ECD degree with a heavy emphasis on the Reggio Emilia approach. Robin believes, “The early childhood years are filled with an intensity and beauty that highlights how amazing it is to be alive and to be human”. She loves to dive into group meetings and listen to the children explain their play process throughout the room. Outside of school you can see Robin hanging out with her two kids, hiking, camping, exploring a farmers market, swimming, dancing or cheering on her friends and family.