Karen Simone - Director
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 3rd 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 22nd year at Bethany Bear’s, and her 7th year as Director.
Teachers
Kalyn Gustafson
Kalyn 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 4rd year teaching at BB and will be teaching the 3-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 5th 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 4rd year teaching at Bethany Bear's and will be teaching the 3 day, 3/4 yr old class.
Barbara Colon
Barbara spent her childhood years in California and Illinois, completing her B.S. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University directly across the street from her high school. After traveling a bit and doing student teaching in San Antonio, TX, she began a job teaching in Colorado Springs at The Classical Academy and stayed for 12 years. Although she enjoyed hiking in the mountains and working with students, her pursuit of a M.A. in Special Education from University of Washington brought her to Seattle where she also passed the board exams to become a BCBA. Upon completing internships with a small ABA company and the large Edmonds School District as a Behavior Specialist, she changed jobs to work at Seattle Children's Hospital as a teacher and consultant for 6 years. After marrying and staying at home with her son, she became the vice president of the parent committee of his neighborhood preschool and involved in a local cooperative preschool. This is Barbara’s 2nd year at Bethany Bears as our 4-day, Pre- K teacher. Her passion is to help students grow as individuals, build a sense of community, and prepare them for entering elementary school with confidence and success.
Stephanie Judy
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 continued on to receive a postbaccalaureate degree from UW in Elementary Education. She taught at St. John’s Elementary in Seattle from 1994-1998. In 2000, Steph became a mom first to Will, and later to Kate. , both who attended Bethany Bear's. During her years at home with Will and Kate, Steph worked as a substitute teacher at Bethany Bear’s. In 2014 she began teaching in the 3s and 4s class, then in 2020 moved on to the 4 day Pre-K. Season travel with her husband eventually prevented her from continuing full time, yet she is still very involved with the preschool as Music Specialist, Social Media Manager, and substitute. This is her 13th year on staff at Bethany Bear's.
