| Meet our Teachers

Andy Nazzal, Music Specialist

I come from a musical family where a variety of instruments were always seemingly available. I began playing piano at the age of 5, drums soon thereafter and as soon as my fingers were long and strong, the guitar followed. I have never lost my desire to learn every instrument possible and now play just over 50 instruments. I have studied world music in my travels to Brazil, Argentina, Latin America, South Pacific Islands, and Europe among other locations. I studied Music Theory at Central Washington University.

I am also an award winning composer, producer, engineer and leader of a 6-piece Exotica instrumental band that annually performs to thousands of people. I also have two sons; ages 8 and 12, who are also multi-instrumentalists.

I have collected instruments from all over the world and am excited to share those instruments with your children as a part of my music curriculum. When utilizing these instruments I will be providing history and creation information of each instrument as it would be understood for each age level as well as the correct applied performance technique of each instrument.

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Charlie DeVore, Co-Teacher

I am Charlie DeVore. I’ve been working with children for 15 years. I took the Montessori training in 2009 and I am very passionate about the approach. I have one child who attends Montessori. We love to hike, swim and travel.

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Chiti Kompella, Lead Teacher

My name is Chiti Kompella. I went to a Montessori school for my early childhood education and later received my Bachelor’s degree in Business while in India. I took the Montessori certification in early childhood in 2005 from MEIPN, Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest which is accredited by the American Montessori Society and been passionately teaching ever since. My husband and I have three children and together we love travelling to new destinations around the world and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I also enjoy performing Indian classical dance form called Kathak, Indian folk dances from various regions, and practicing yoga.

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Lily Jing, Chinese Teacher

我叫敬莉，来自中国。我做老师已经有19年的时间了。在中国北京接受了AMS的培训，在蒙特梭利幼儿园工作也有4年的时间了。我非常喜欢孩子，在EYAS主要致力于中文的教学，我希望能够把中国的文化分享给每一为美国的家庭。

My name is Lily Jing, I was born and brought up in China. I have been a teacher for 19 years. I took my Montessori training in Beijing, China in the year 2012 and have been a Montessori teacher since then. I am fond of children and enjoy teaching early childhood. I am currently teaching Chinese at Eyas and I feel fortunate to be able to share Chinese culture with the students at Eyas.

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Jackie Dealy, Lead Teacher

My name is Jackie Dealy. I was introduced to Montessori while still in high school as an afternoon helper. After graduation, I worked full time assisting in the classroom while completing my Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Washington in 2006. I then completed my Early Childhood Credential though the Montessori Education Institution of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPN) in 2008.

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