Teaching Staff

All of our experienced teachers at Bethany Bear’s Preschool have had children of their own attend Bethany Bear’s and have a love for children, teaching, and Jesus Christ.

Karen Simone

Karen grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from Boston College with degrees in Elementary and Special Education.  After teaching for a year in RI, she moved to Geneva, Switzerland with her husband and taught 3^rd grade for 3 years at the International School of Geneva. With her husband’s job change, they then moved to Redondo Beach, CA, and she taught elementary special education for 2 years and received her Master’s Degree in Special Education.  They moved to Seattle in 1994 and Karen taught at Shorewood High School in the learning disabilities program for many years.  After having 3 sons, who all went through Bethany Bear’s she realized her calling.  This is Karen’s 18^th year as a teacher at Bethany Bear’s and fourth year as Director.

Steph grew up in the Green Lake neighborhood in Seattle.  She studied at the University of Washington and received a Bachelor of Arts with honors in English.  She then got certified in Elementary Education K-8 and English grades 4-12.  Steph taught at St. John’s Elementary in Seattle from 1994-1998.  In 2000, Steph became a mom first to William and later to Kate.  During her “at-home” years, Steph worked as a substitute teacher at Bethany Bear’s and Assumption St. Bridget.  This is her 10^th year on staff at Bethany Bear’s Preschool.  She will be substituting as necessary and supporting the 4 day Pre-K class.

Dana Krueger

After moving from Minnesota at a young age, Dana grew up in Bellevue and attended the University of Washington and received a degree in Business. She had a short stint in advertising and then got her Master’s in Teaching. She taught 1^st and 2^nd grade in Burien and Bellevue. After having two children, Christian and Ava, who both attended Bethany Bear’s, she taught online for Washington Virtual Academy. This is her 4th year at Bethany Bear’s Preschool and she will be teaching the 3-day Pre-K.

Kalyn Gustafson

Kalyn Gustafson is a Seattleite at heart having lived here for the past 23 years. After attending school at the Art Institute of Seattle and feeling unfulfilled by work in the fashion industry, she was blessed to be mentored into a career teaching preschool for 6 years before welcoming her first child in 2010.  Her passion for serving young children and their families persisted leading her to coordinate both the MOPS program and Safe Families for Children at Bethany Community Church as well as volunteering with Mary’s Place and at St. John School where her children attend. She is thrilled to be back in the classroom where she relishes creating a safe, creative, and loving learning experience. This is Kalyn's 1st year teaching at BB and will be teaching the 4-day Pre-K class. 

Brittany McFarlane

Brittany hails from Lake Oswego, OR and moved to Seattle in 2009.  She received degrees in International Business and Human Resource Management from Gonzaga University where she rowed for 4 years on the championship women's crew team. Before starting a family, Brittany worked in corporate law supporting Life Science companies.  She and her husband have two children, both BB graduates.  After substituting for several years at Bethany Bear's and taking early childhood education classes, she decided to become a preschool teacher.  Outside of work and family, Brittany volunteers with and sits on the Board of the charitable non-profit Women's Philanthropic Collective (WPC).  This is Brittany's 2nd year at BB and is thrilled to be teaching our youngest learners in the 2 day class.

Annie Hartsock

Annie is a Colorado native, but has lived in the PNW since middle school. She attended the University of Oregon and studied abroad her freshman and junior years. Annie graduated with degrees in French and Spanish. Annie and her husband Luke, met at a Young Life summer camp. Together they have been blessed with four daughters who all attended Bethany Bear's. It was during their preschool years that Annie envisioned joining the Bethany Bear's team. Annie has pursued ongoing education from both the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Teaching Trailblazers program. While every age has it's unique joys, preschool holds a special place in her heart. She believes it is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with a child's early education and likewise to be a part of the community that supports the families of young children. This is Annie's 1st year teaching at Bethany Bear's and will be teaching the 3 day, 3/4 yr old class.