Our Tigard Team

Hi families! My name is Diane, and I’m so happy to be part of the Safari Kid Tigard community. I’ve been in early childhood education for over 20 years, starting as a teacher’s aide and growing into lead teaching and director roles. I truly love building strong connections with children and families and creating a warm, supportive place where every child can thrive.

Outside of school, I’ve been married for 19 years and have two teenage boys who keep us busy and on our toes! We also have a black goldendoodle named Daisy who is very much part of the family. We love spending time together on road trips to the beach or the mountains, camping, and most weekends you can find us in the bleachers cheering on our boys as they play competitive basketball.

I look forward to getting to know your family and being part of your child’s journey!

Hi! I’m Aile. I have been in childcare for about two years now, and It’s been such a fun experience! My favorite things to do with the kiddos is read them books and signing songs! I am passionate about creating a fun and safe environment for children! Watching them reach milestones is one of my greatest joy! Outside of the classroom, I enjoying going on nature walks, reading, and baking. .

Hi, I’m Marlene! I’ve been working in Early Childhood Education for over 12 years, and I truly love what I do. Helping young children learn, grow, and discover the world around them is one of my greatest joys. I enjoy building strong relationships with families so we can work together to support each child’s unique journey. When I’m not in the classroom, you can usually find me hiking in the mountains with my family, enjoying fresh air, beautiful views, and plenty of adventures.

Hi, I'm Atira! I've been in Early Childhood Education for about 5 years and found my passion working with Infants and Toddlers. I love helping children learn new skills by meeting them where they are and providing them with opportunities to grow.

In my off time, I do a lot of knitting, reading, and playing tabletop games. I also enjoy caring for and adding to my plant collection!

Hi, I’m Angie. With two years of experience in early childhood education, I am passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow. My favorite part of working in childcare is watching children discover new skills and gain confidence in themselves. My teaching goals include fostering curiosity, building strong foundations for lifelong learning, and encouraging kindness and collaboration in the classroom.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my blue heeler. I am excited to share my sense of adventure and appreciation for nature with my students.

Hi, I’m Julie! I was born and raised in France in a French-German family, which sparked my love for culture and language from an early age. I studied business management, but during that time I discovered my true passion—working with children through babysitting and tutoring.

At 22, I took a leap and moved to Portland, Oregon to become an Au Pair. That experience changed my life—I met my husband and began building my future here. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to 19 different countries, rescue a stray dog from the streets of Réunion Island, and become a proud U.S. citizen.

I’ve been working as a preschool teacher since 2017, and I truly love what I do. I’m passionate about helping children grow, learn, and become the best version of themselves. I also enjoy learning about different cultures and languages, and I love bringing that curiosity and appreciation into the classroom.

I’m so excited to be part of this community and to support each child on their unique journey!

Hi I’m Rainy! I’ve been working in Early Childhood Education for about 8 years. It’s truly a blessing helping young children discover the world around them and being able to be apart of their learning journey. I enjoy the bond and relationships I get to make with all of the kids and families I have worked with. Outside of teaching I really enjoy going to the gym, running, reading, and traveling to see new places! I look forward to helping the kiddos learn new things and build new relationships!