ABOUT US
Welcome to St. Luke's Preschool in Tacoma, WA
Located in the peaceful north end of Tacoma, Washington, St. Luke's Preschool has been nurturing young minds within the welcoming environment of St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church for ten years. At St. Luke's Preschool, we believe in providing a balanced approach to early childhood education. Our dedicated teachers offer both individual attention and group learning experiences through a mix of teacher-directed activities and free-choice exploration. This balanced approach helps create an engaging and supportive learning environment where each child can thrive.
Our Commitment
At St. Luke's Preschool, we are committed to creating a nurturing, Christian-based learning environment where children can develop the skills and confidence they need for future success. Our experienced teachers work closely with each child, ensuring they receive the attention and support needed to reach their full potential.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support children's complete development. We focus on nurturing physical abilities, fostering intellectual growth, building emotional well-being, developing social skills, and encouraging spiritual understanding. This holistic approach ensures each child develops as a whole person, ready to embrace future learning opportunities.
Our Educational Programs
Our comprehensive curriculum creates a rich learning environment that integrates socialization skills, creative arts, and music with storytelling and literature. Children engage in hands-on cooking activities and scientific exploration while developing mathematical thinking and language skills. Active listening is emphasized throughout our program, and our Christian foundation is strengthened through regular chapel visits and the integration of Christian concepts and values into daily activities.
Age-Specific Programs
Our carefully structured age groups ensure that each child receives developmentally appropriate instruction and support. Our Junior Preschool program, designed for ages 2-3, provides a gentle introduction to the school environment where children begin their educational journey through age-appropriate activities and guided exploration.
In our Preschool program for ages 3-4, children build on these foundational skills with increased emphasis on social interaction and structured learning activities. Our Pre-Kindergarten program, serving ages 4-5, prepares children for their transition to kindergarten by focusing on essential academic skills including alphabet recognition, reading readiness, and mathematical concepts within a more structured learning environment.
We also offer a Novice class for children 12 months to 2, which introduces children to the exciting world of preschool.
To further enrich our students' experiences, we offer special Friday enrichment classes that complement our regular program, providing additional opportunities for growth and discovery.
The Staff at St. Luke's Preschool
Preschool Director – Melissa Martin
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Newman University in 2011. Since then, she has dedicated her career to serving young people in a variety of settings, including education, juvenile corrections, mental health, and coaching. Originally from Kansas, Melissa has called Tacoma home since 2015, where she lives with her partner, Alex, and their two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and creating through arts and crafts. Melissa stepped into the role of Director at St. Luke's Preschool in January 2023 and has been passionate about building a warm, nurturing, and intentional preschool community ever since.
2’s Jr. Preschool Teacher
Amanda Pedrelli
Education has been both my career and my passion throughout my adult life, grounded in a whole-child, child-centered philosophy and a deep desire to cultivate connection and wonder about the natural world God has created—a constant source of awe in my own relationship with Him.
My fascination with the science of learning led me to earn a BA in Bilingual Early Childhood Education from The Evergreen State College and inspired travels to Italy and New Zealand, where I explored child-centered educational approaches. These experiences have shaped my practice, which honors open-ended art, schematic play, family connection, social-emotional development, mutual respect for children, and the powerful role of the classroom environment in supporting learning and growth.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, expressing creativity through pottery and painting, and finding peace and inspiration during visits to the aquarium.
2’s Jr Preschool Class Assistant –
Emily Jackson
Hi, I’m Emily! I’m so excited to be joining the team as an Assistant Teacher in the 2’s classroom. I have experience working with children through babysitting and nannying, and I’m currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. I’m passionate about creating a caring, supportive environment where children feel confident to explore, express themselves, and follow their natural curiosity. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our dogs, as well as getting creative with music and arts and crafts. I’m looking forward to getting to know each child and family and being part of their learning journey!
3’s Preschool Class Teacher – Deborah Toney
Deborah started her lead teacher role in September 2024. With over 17 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Deborah brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our team. As a former military spouse, she has had the unique opportunity to teach in California, Alaska, and various schools in Washington. A graduate of Western Washington University, Deborah holds a CDA credential and is an accredited National Geographic Educator. Her teaching philosophy is deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing child-centered learning, creativity, and collaboration. She believes in empowering children to be active participants in their own learning journey. Outside of the classroom, Deborah enjoys hiking, traveling, scuba diving, and gardening.
3’s Preschool Class Co-Teacher-
Pre-K Teacher – Kim Allen
Hello! My name is Kim, and I am so excited to be joining the St. Luke's Preschool community as a Preschool teacher this year(2026).
I bring more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education and hold a Bachelor's degree in Counseling Psychology and a Master's degree in Education. I also have a strong cooperative preschool background, both as an educator and as a parent. I value building meaningful partnerships with families and look forward to working together to support each child's growth.
Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, my family and I moved to the Gig Harbor area five years ago and have loved making the Pacific Northwest our home. My husband and I have three children, and we enjoy reading, exploring the outdoors, spending time at the beach, and learning how to garden together.
I believe children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. I am passionate about nurturing independence while helping children develop confidence and practical self-help skills. I also believe that time outdoors is an essential part of childhood and look forward to creating opportunities for children to learn, explore, and wonder every day.
Novice Teacher - Vernadette Thie
Hello everyone! I am Vernadette and am looking forward to teaching the Novice class. I am passionate about working with adolescents and am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy to become a children's play therapist. In the meantime, I am dedicating my time to being a God-centered mother to my one-year-old son, a wonderful wife to my loving husband, a Nursery attendant/Sunday school teacher at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, and now the Novice teacher here at Saint Luke’s. I enjoy antiquing, thrifting, crafts, whimsical decor, and pugs (I have two!) I look forward to building my classroom on a foundation of faith and nature-based learning with lots of color, music, and fun!