Registration is now open!

Staff

Our Teachers

Dani Clingman-Lenz,

Montessori Certified Teacher - MACTE

Toddler Teacher

Dani brings over a decade of experience working with young children, along with a deep passion for supporting parents as they navigate the many stages of parenthood. She approaches her work with a genuine respect for young children, combining her profound knowledge of child development with highly effective strategies for child guidance. Dani holds MACTE certification for teaching Montessori from birth to age three, with a focus on infant and toddler classes.

Outside of her teaching role, Dani’s world is full of family and animals. She has three grown sons and a young daughter who keeps her busy with school activities and a variety of hobbies. Dani is an active volunteer at her daughter’s school and often finds herself on the go, chauffeuring her daughter to her many activities.

Dani enjoys spending time with her three dogs, two cats, and six rabbits. Long walks and doggie playdates are part of her routine. When she's not caring for her pets, Dani finds joy in gardening, particularly in growing unique varieties of pumpkins, which fuel her love for the fall season.

Mae Meacham,

BSW, MSW, Certified K-8 Educator

Preschool, Art, Waddler, and Cuddler Teacher

Mae Meacham began her career as a social and emotional skills coach and family care coordinator and worked her way to managing a children’s mental health program and overseeing a school-based mental health program. She is skilled in group facilitation, staff education, and program improvement. After transitioning into education, Mae has taught and supported children in her classroom and in after-school programs, including tutoring and art clubs.

She is deeply passionate about growth—whether in plants, people, or communities—and finds joy in solving puzzles, figuring things out, and empowering others to do the same.

Beyond her professional life, Mae has been fostering dogs and small animals for over 10 years, reflecting her lifelong dedication to caring for the vulnerable. Creativity and self-expression are central to her values, and she is motivated to ensure everyone around her feels supported and free to be themselves. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, gardening, playing games, reading, and being silly with her daughters and the neighborhood kids.

Board of Directors

The Early Learning Co-op is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is led by a committed, volunteer-only Board of Directors. We are so grateful to our Board for their time, dedication, and expertise.

Continuing Education:

Our teachers are committed to lifelong learning, too! Here's a sampling of a teacher's completed continuing education coursework:

Washington State Teaching Certification, Kindergarten through 8th grade endorsement, (2020)
Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD training) (2019)
Bachelor's of Social Work, Heritage University (2011)
Master's of Social Work, Edinboro University (2012)

CONTINUING EDUCATION GOALS:

EMDR Certification
Independent licensure as a mental health provider
Teaching endorsements: Art and Special Education

Google Sites

Report abuse