Our Educators

Cecile Culp Mielenz has been the Director of Woodinville Family Preschool since 1982. She also teaches our multi-day classes for 3- and 4-year-olds. Cecile holds a Ph.D. in Child Development from Florida State University. From there she went to the University of Northern Colorado (1972) where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Child Development and Preschool Education and served as master teacher and teacher trainer in the U.N.C. Preschool. In 1975 Cecile returned to Florida as a state-wide consultant for the children's programs for the Florida Division of Mental Health. In 1976 she became Professor of Child Development and Head of the Department of Home Economics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. While at N.S.U., Cecile developed a program for infants and toddlers that was presented as a model for 13 states.

In 1993 Cecile began a private parent education practice through which she counsels parents individually and/or in small groups. Presently, she practices as an independent practitioner at Sunridge Professional Center in Woodinville. In 1995 she became affiliated with the Bureau of Education and Research, the largest and perhaps the most well-known teacher seminar company in North America. Cecile often presents seminars for preschool and kindergarten teachers in cities throughout the United States and Canada though her consulting for BER. Her areas of expertise include emergent literacy, early math, and developmentally appropriate practice.

Throughout her career, Cecile has been a contributing author to professional books and journals in child development, children's art, infant stimulation and early childhood education. She also serves as a consultant and speaker on these topics to professional and parent groups. Cecile's work has been cited in such publications as World Who's Who of Women in Education, Dictionary of International Biography, and Outstanding Young Women of America.

In 2001, Cecile received recognition as an Outstanding National Educator from the Bureau of Education and Research. Most recently, Cecile has co-authored the book Mentor Manager, Mentor Parent: How to Develop Responsible People and Build Successful Relationships. More information on the book can be found at http://www.mentormanagermentorparent.com. Cecile's strategies and ideas for effective parenting that are described in the book are also presented in the parent education classes she teaches at Woodinville Family Preschool.

Cecile values the opportunity to support both children and parents. She delights in the children and appreciates the mindfulness that the adults bring to their parenting role, and she enjoys the sense of community that WFP families contribute to the program. Cecile and her husband have two adult daughters, both of whom attended WFP as children.


Beth Edwards teaches our single day classes for 1- and 2-year-olds as well as our classes for infants 0-6 and 6-12 months old. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, with emphasis in child development, from the University of Washington in 1989. In 1995, Beth received her A.A. degree from Bellevue Community College in early childhood education. Beth has worked in programs with parents and children from infants through five years, and she loves to work on continuing education by going to seminars and conferences about early childhood education topics relevant to the children she teaches.

Beth and her husband have two school-age daughters. Beth spends her time outside of preschool volunteering at her children's school, including art docent and working with children on reading. Their family enjoys playing games, reading, spending time at the dance studio, and walking in Woodinville.

Beth has been part of our teaching staff since 1999.


Jodi Spitalli plans and implements developmentally stimulating outdoor activities as Outdoor Curriculum Specialist for the multi-day classes. Jodi received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a psychology minor from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She has also studied in Rome, Italy as well as at the Gesell Institute for Human Development. Jodi has completed graduate courses in human relations and psychology and has a wealth of experience as a kindergarten teacher, early childhood consultant, parent volunteer, and tutor. Jodi values building relationships and gains satisfaction from discovering the issues that underlie child behavior.

Jodi is married and is the mother of three children. She enjoys outdoor activities, music, gardening, and cooking.

Jodi has been part of our staff since 2008.