Meet our team of dedicated teachers, parent educators, and childcare professionals
Our Teachers
Diana Wagner-Boyd, Infants, Twos, and Split Age
Diana has been with the Magnolia Co-op since 2014, but has been teaching in the Co-op community since 1997, and attended Co-op classes with her own two children. Diana taught the 3-5s and Pre-K at Ingraham Cooperative Preschool, as well as the Pre-3s and Toddlers. She also taught the Tots, 2 and the Infant Baby Sign Class at Queen Anne Co-op, and the Northwest Toddler Class at the NSCC campus. She is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts with a degree in Theater and prides herself on bringing creativity to the classroom.
Diana enjoys playing her guitar, gardening, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, and roller-skating. She lives in north Seattle with her Husband Ed, her cockatiel bird “Frisbee”, and “Missy” the cat.
Jillian Bentley, Toddlers
Jillian is an award-winning teacher with decades of experience starting as a babysitter in middle and high school, teaching swimming lessons and tutoring in college, teaching French and English for K-12, then as a stay at home parent to three children during which time she has been involved in the Magnolia Cooperative Preschool as a teachers’assistant, Enrichment instructor, and member of the board of directors. Passionate about parent education and parent connections, she enjoys volunteering as a PEPS group facilitator, and she spent a year as a parent mentor through Nurture Seattle.
Jillian likes crossword puzzling, biking, swimming, cooking, baking, politics, and spending time with friends and family. She also works part time coordinating medical and mental health evaluations for those seeking asylum through Seattle Asylum Forensic Evaluation Network. She loves all animals, particularly dogs, and has a pet terrier named Moose. Originally from Atlanta, Jillian has lived in Tennessee, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, and Maryland, and has called Seattle home since 2005.
Nicole Appell, Threes
Since 2021, Nicole has taught 3-5 year olds. Nicole is passionate about Early Childhood Education because she loves helping children discover new things in the world around them. She finds their inherent sense of wonder and joy inspiring, and believes that teaching young children is important and impactful work.
Nicole has taught children for over 20 years as a K-8 Art Specialist. She was a member of the Washington State Arts Commission Roster of Teaching Artists, Creative Advantage Arts Partner Roster for Seattle Public Schools, and has led large-scale public art projects with Seattle and Lake Washington Public Schools. Nicole graduated from the University of Washington. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys making art, hiking in the mountains, and exploring beaches with her family. She currently lives in Magnolia.
Elise Cranston, Pre-Kindergarten
Elise joined our community in 2024 as the Pre-K teacher! Elise attended Greenville University and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Theology, Spanish, and Teaching English as a Second Language. And so, like most millennials, she decided to work in a totally different field! Post graduation with work as a nanny Elise discovered the joy of young children and a passion for Early Childhood Education. Upon moving back to Seattle in 2017 she found work at a local preschool where she taught for 7 years.
Elise is dedicated to creating a classroom full of joy, laughter, learning, respect, wonder, autonomy, and empathy. She recently traveled to New Zealand on a Early Childhood study tour and was inspired by the deep and loving connections between teachers and children as well as the rich and complex learning opportunities. Elise plans to incorporate her recent travels and previous years in the classroom to create a beautiful space for children at Magnolia Co-op.
While not at work Elise is passionate about connecting with friends and family, exercising outdoors (especially in the rare Seattle sun!!), cooking delicious and healthy food, enjoying live music, and social justice. Elise and her husband Tyler currently live in Queen Anne in her childhood home—it is the one with the newly built yurt in the backyard!
Mike Pandorf, Multi-Age Classroom
Mike currently leads the Multi-Age Classroom (MAC) program, bringing with him a remarkable ability to engage children through their individual interests. Mike is passionate about teaching early childhood education because of his own parenting experiences and the impacts early childhood educators have had on his children. He believes that music and the arts are integral at all stages of education and that music is truly the first "universal" language many of us learn. He incorporates that love of music wherever he can in the classroom, using it as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and support learning.
Mike has been recognized as a musician for his leadership skills and graduated from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing the French horn and various brass instruments, cooking, and amateur home improvement. He currently lives in Magnolia.
Melanie Martin, Teaching Assistant
Melanie has been a dedicated teacher at our co-op for many years, bringing creativity, care, and joy to the MAC. Her connection to the school runs deep, as both her child and grandchildren attended the co-op, bringing a multi-generational connection to our co-op community. Melanie’s warmth, experience, and love of caring for children help create the nurturing, playful environment that makes our community so special.
Mary Murray, Teaching Assistant
Mary Murray has been a valued member of the MCP community for several years, supporting families as a caregiver and serving as a teaching assistant. She brings a talent for getting to know each child and engaging with their interests. Mary loves the great outdoors and nature and enjoys adventurous activities in her free time.
Our Parent Educators
Jharman Lightner, Infants
Jharman is a PhD candidate in developmental psychology and has taught parent education through Edmonds College before working at NSC. We are excited for Jharman to join the MCP team in supporting our infants class.
Adrianne (Ady) Kenady, Friday Toddlers
Ady will support Friday toddlers and has many years of experience in early childhood education, including a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Ady is also a former co-op parent.
Becky Cooke, Twos, and Pre-K
Teacher Becky started her career as an occupational therapist working on a traumatic brain injury unit in NYC. After having her own three kids and going through PEPS and co-op preschool, she discovered her true passion for building community and supporting other families. Becky brings her OT lens to the classroom to help families understand how children’s neurodiversity and sensory needs influence behavior.
When Teacher Becky is not at school you will probably find her volunteering at her school garden, drinking chai, cuddling her dogs, walking through Discovery Park or buying too many books. Teacher Becky is a volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey Programs and is a member of the 2e parent community. If you talk to Teacher Becky long enough, she will try to convince you to play outside. Please send her cool mushroom pictures and ask her about salmon 😊
Lea Evans, Threes, Thursday Toddlers
Lea Evans (she/her) has been on the Parent Education faculty at North Seattle College since 2018 and has taught and advised adult students in various subjects, states, and countries since 2001. Since her child was born in 2013, she has focused more on supporting families. Lea currently works with three co-op preschools, two childcare centers, and facilitates an online course for Seattle Public Schools families. She has training in Positive Discipline, Gottman Bringing Baby Home, parent coaching, and as a postpartum doula. Her child attended a co-op here in Seattle and is currently enjoying dual-immersion elementary school. Outside of work, Lea enjoys bike riding, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Lea is passionate about her work with families and looks forward to meeting you and your little ones!