Meet Our Teachers
Chiti Kompella, Lead Teacher
Chiti went to a Montessori school for her early childhood education and later received her Bachelor’s degree in Business in India. When her children went to Montessori schools in Bellevue, she decided to assist in the classroom to see if she would like to take up teaching career. The following year she took the Early Childhood Montessori certification in 2005 from MEIPN, Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest which is accredited by the American Montessori Society and has been passionately teaching ever since. Chiti lives in Bellevue, Washington along with her husband and their third child. The other two are adults now and pursuing their careers in LA and Boston respectively. When she is not at school, Chiti can be found dancing, hiking, cooking, spending time with her family or teaching yoga and meditation. She also teaches Positive Discipline parenting classes at Eyas. In 2020 she began leading online school, Eyas LIVE.
Jackie Dealy, Lead Teacher
Jackie Dealy was introduced to Montessori while attending high school and working part time as an afternoon helper. After graduation, she worked full time assisting in the classroom while completing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Washington in 2006. During her college years while balancing school and work it became apparent to Jackie that teaching children is what brought her the most joy in life. She then completed her Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential though the Montessori Education Institution of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPN) in 2008. Jackie resides in Issaquah with her husband and two children: Wesley (born in 2013) and Riley (born in 2017). When Jackie is not at school she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, gardening and fitness.
Cortney Erickson, Lead Teacher
Cortney was born in Southern California and moved to Washington when she was 11 years old. When she was 16 she started volunteering at her family friend’s Montessori classroom. Once she was able to drive and get a job, Cortney applied to that same Montessori school where she worked for seven years. While working for that Montessori school she took the Washington teacher preparation Montessori training in Kent and finished in 2015. Cortney holds a bachelors degree in early childhood education from Lake Washington Institute of technology. Cortney got married in April to Daniel. They recently bought a house in Enumclaw. When not at school Cortney likes to spend time walking her dog, watching sports, baking, spending time with friends and her family, watching movies with her cat, and has a big love for Disney and sunflowers.
