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Meet Our Teachers 

Hello Preschool families!

 

My name is Michelle Nilsen, and I am honored to be working for St. Matthew Lutheran Preschool. I have two great loves: I have a love for Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I have a love for children! That combination has led me to a career in Early Childhood Education: First as a teacher for 11 years for Prince of Peace Preschool in Everett, Washington, and then for 12 years as the Director of the same Preschool.

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Although my degree is a BA in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara (which served me well as a director), I spent 23 years attending courses in Early Childhood Education.

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After my youngest daughter married, I felt it was time to retire from being a Director and move to my cabin out on the Peninsula. But that yearning to continue to teach preschoolers, especially about the love and joy of Jesus Christ, did not diminish. So I reached out to St. Matthew - and here I am!

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Besides teaching, I love spending quiet devotional time with God, hiking with my dogs, reading, and spending quality time with family, especially my grandboys.

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Michelle

Nilsen

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Elizabeth

Tjepkema

Hi Everybody! 

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My Name is Elizabeth Tjepkema,  and I am looking forward to starting my fourth-year teaching here at St. Matthew Lutheran Preschool! My youngest son was a student here a few years ago, which makes this position even more special to me.

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I love living here in Port Angeles with my husband, our two sons, and our pets! As members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, we enjoy spending our Sundays worshiping with our church family and feel blessed to be part of this community.

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Having grown up on the Olympic Peninsula, I studied at Peninsula College before spending some time in Seattle. I am happy to have returned to this beautiful area to raise my family. When I’m not in the classroom, you will find me hiking or spending time at the lake with my family, practicing yoga, or curled up with a good book.

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I look forward to getting to know each of your families and creating a nurturing learning environment for your children." 

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