Our Staff
Corey
Schwarz
Claire
Brewer
Nicki
Torres
Shannon Holliway
Sarah
Shogren
Mike
Jandl
Mariesa
Genzale
Hannah
Tankerley
Anne
Wiseman
Jessie Jo
Gray
Liz
Conlon
Eric
Ankrim
Danielle
Koval
Maddie
Dauterman
The inception of Big Star Performing Arts and Little Stars Preschool has realized Corey's longstanding dream, a vision that took root during her tenure as an educator in the Bellevue School District many years ago. Armed with a degree in Human and Child Development from Washington State University (GO COUGS!), Corey furthered her academic journey by earning a master’s degree in education at Western Washington University.
Having dedicated years to teaching in public schools, imparting knowledge to students from kindergarten through middle school, Corey later made the heartfelt decision to take on the role of a stay-at-home parent, nurturing and raising her four children. As her youngest child grew, Corey felt the unmistakable pull to return to her passion for working with children.
In 2011, the realization of this passion materialized in the form of Big Star Studios, a venture born from a shared commitment to children's arts education with her very close friend Kathy Gehrig. Beyond being a labor of love, this studio and preschool stand as a source of immense pride for Corey—second only to the joy of raising her four children.
My name is Claire Brewer and I’m thrilled and honored to be the Director of Little Stars Preschool in Snoqualmie. During my time at this very special school, from teaching on the Ridge, to teaching through the pandemic in my backyard, to opening our downtown campus, I have had the privilege to watch our students learn, grow, build confidence, stretch their curiosity and make personal connections to the rich diversity of life here in the Snoqualmie Valley.
I live in a little old house in downtown Snoqualmie with my husband, our two weird and wonderful sons and the two greatest dogs on the planet. I love reading, birdwatching, gardening, art, woodworking and collecting agates and jaspers in our backyard creek and beyond. I love melding my training as an art educator, my passion as a child-centered early childhood specialist, and my fascination with our natural world to support and enhance the growth of your child, support their innate wonder, and foster a sense of connection and stewardship of our planet.
I look forward to learning and exploring alongside your children at Little Stars Preschool!
Hometown: Issaquah, Washington
Most Memorable Teaching Moment: Some of my most memorable teaching experiences are observing and engaging with students and seeing new ideas happen which are not planned.
My Journey to Teaching: My greatest accomplishment in life has been raising my three amazing children. I have spent many hours in their classrooms volunteering and working with teachers. My volunteer work over the years has consistently led me to caring for children. Working with children brings me great joy and I love to watch them grow.
My Mission: I am committed to providing my students a welcoming, happy, safe, and supportive environment. I want my students to know that they can achieve anything that they put their mind to. I will help my students to become independent thinkers and develop a love for learning. I will encourage them to try new and exciting things and give them a solid foundation to build on.
Hometown: Libby, MT
Most Memorable Teaching Moment: My most memorable teaching moment is not one specific event, but it is all the times I’ve seen the light bulb turn on for a student. All the “ah ha” moments!
My Journey to Teaching: I just always knew that’s what I wanted to do. :)
My Mission: To create an environment that is student-centered, self-guided and rich with experimental learning in a relationship-driven environment.
Most Memorable Teaching Moment: I worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor in high school, and it was in the pool where I discovered the joy of helping people see their own potential.
My Journey to Teaching: I’ve been working with kids since high school. Thru the years I have volunteered at daycare centers, as sports coaches, and teaching children how grow food at a Farm. Outside of volunteering with children I’ve had many roles, from a diesel mechanic in the Marine Corps to designing and teaching Financial Systems at large corporations. No matter where my journey has taken me, I’ve found that my passion for teaching others is what motives me and it is what I enjoy most about all my roles.
My Mission: My mission is to create a classroom community based on cooperative learning and kindness. It is also very important to me that I support each of the students in their own learning journeys. I want to make learning fun so that every student of mine has a positive relationship with school. I enjoy feeding their curiosities while they discover for themselves. My favorite way to do this is teaching kids about nature and getting outside to experience our surroundings. I have a strong passion for gardening that provides so many opportunities to notice things that are right under our noses.
Hi, my name is Jessie and I am thrilled to begin teaching at Little Stars! My journey to teaching began after I graduated with a degree in Advertising (stick with me). I began doing post-production and social media work for a National Geographic photographer in my hometown whose main focus was on conservation. Mother Nature is my one true love, so after being introduced to the possibility of working in the field of my dreams I dropped everything and went back to school to get a degree in Conservation Biology.
I graduated (again) and began working at a Nature Center which happened to house a fantastic nature preschool. I’ve always loved working with children, so when they offered me a teaching position I jumped on it. The combination of my two passions, nature and guiding young minds toward discovery, felt absolutely miraculous and it wasn't long before I knew I had found my calling. Every time I see the sparkle of wonder in the eyes of a child learning something for the first time I am reminded of that feeling and of how lucky I am to witness those moments every single day.
I am passionate about fostering a child-led, experience-based, developmentally nourishing learning environment where little minds are free to expand and every day feels miraculous.