The Archdiocese of Seattle Pre-K Standards, the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines and the Washington State OSPI Learning Standards are incorporated in the teaching of our subject areas.
Curriculum Overview
Our Pre-K curriculum builds on children’s natural curiosity while preparing them for a confident transition to kindergarten. Guided by the Archdiocese of Seattle Pre-K Standards and the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines, students develop academic readiness, independence, problem-solving skills, and confidence through purposeful play and intentional instruction.
Faith Formation
Students deepen their understanding of Catholic faith and values through daily prayer, Bible stories, the Pflaum Seeds curriculum, special liturgies, and monthly Mass beginning with Ash Wednesday. Literacy and Language: The Letterland curriculum strengthens letter recognition, phonemic awareness, early reading skills, vocabulary, and proper letter formation.
Mathematical Thinking
McGraw Hill’s My Math! provides hands-on practice with number sense, patterns, shapes, measurement, comparisons, and problem-solving. Science and Social Studies: Classroom investigations and Scholastic’s My Big World encourage students to ask questions, make observations, discuss ideas, and learn about nature, communities, cultures, and the wider world.
Social-Emotional Readiness
Students practice managing emotions, resolving conflicts, collaborating with peers, following multistep routines, and completing tasks with increasing independence.
Creative Arts
Daily music, movement, dramatic play, and open-ended art encourage creativity, communication, and self-expression. Students also receive specialized weekly music instruction.
Physical Development
Daily outdoor play—rain or shine—and weekly gym time strengthen coordination, body control, teamwork, and cooperative play.
Spanish
Weekly instruction expands children’s familiarity with greetings, colors, numbers, animals, body parts, and other beginning vocabulary.
Faith, Leadership, and Belonging
Pre-K students take an increasingly active role in the Christ the King community. Through school traditions, shared celebrations, and opportunities to participate and lead, children strengthen their confidence and sense of responsibility as they prepare to become kindergarteners.
Highlights
Throughout the year, students take part in:
Leading and participating in school assemblies
Celebrating Mass and special liturgies
The All Saints’ Day Parade
Muffins in the Morning
Pedals & Pops
Grandfriends Day
Letterland Celebration Day
Classroom holiday and birthday celebrations
Schoolwide community-building events
Meet the Pre-K Team
Diane Wunder
Early Childhood Education, Pre-K ECE Assistant Teacher, Math Specialist
My journey at CKS began in 2022, when I joined a Pre-K classroom here as an Assistant Teacher. What started as a new chapter in my teaching career quickly became one of my favorite jobs—and one of the places where I feel most at home. This year, I’m especially excited to be incorporating another area I love: teaching mathematics!
I actually began my teaching career in Middle School Mathematics in a few neighboring public schools after graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Mathematics and Education. I currently hold a K–8 teaching certificate, along with a Mathematics Education endorsement for grades 4–12.
Not many people can say they get to spend their days doing two of their favorite things, but I feel incredibly fortunate that CKS has given me the opportunity to do just that: teach our youngest learners and share my love of mathematics with our older students.
Alina Stuiber
My journey with the Christ the King community began as a parent during the pandemic. From the very beginning, our family felt warmly welcomed, and we discovered a caring and enriching educational environment for our children. I later had the wonderful opportunity to join the early education team as an assistant teacher. With more than 10 years of experience working with children in preschool and elementary settings, I find great joy and fulfillment in helping young students learn and grow. I hold a bachelor’s degree in special education and a Washington State certificate in early childhood education from North Seattle College.
Outside the classroom, I love reading, crafting, and spending quality time with my family.
I believe every child deserves a loving, safe, and nurturing environment where they feel valued and inspired to learn, explore, and grow. I am grateful to partner with families and help each child build confidence, discover their unique strengths, and feel truly at home in our school community.
Ioana Dragomirescu
Born and raised in Romania, I lived there for 35 years before settling in the U.S. I hold a degree in Economics, and I am currently pursuing my Washington State teaching certification. For the past decade I’ve worked and volunteered with children, the last two years as a teacher assistant in ECE1 and ECE4 at Christ the King School.
What I love most about working with kids is their curiosity, the endless questions, the willingness to play and explore without hesitation. It keeps my work fun and meaningful every day.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy traveling, pottery, reading, and playing board games with family and friends.
Suzanne Symons
I love teaching at Christ the King and am grateful to be part of such a wonderful school community! I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Washington and am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Before returning to teaching, my professional background included ministry and social services. A lifelong Pacific Northwest native—Go Dawgs!—the Seattle area has always been home.
I believe young children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and connected to their classroom community. I strive to create a joyful classroom where children are encouraged to be curious, explore, build friendships, and develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Through purposeful play, hands-on experiences, and developmentally appropriate learning, I encourage children to try new things, solve problems, learn from mistakes, and discover just how capable they are. I value partnering with families and supporting the whole child as they grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually.
Above all, I want each child to know they are loved, that they belong, and that school is a joyful place to learn and grow.
Sarah Phillips
Hello, from your friendly neighborhood Art Teacher! I live locally, in Shoreline, with my husband, 2 kids, and 2 axolotls. I enjoy the outdoors, travel, live performance painting, and cooking. I feel honored to be helping get the kids at CKS excited about art in a variety of forms. I come with 20 years of art experience and a passion for making the world a more beautiful place for all. Currently, I am following the Art of Education’s Art curriculum for grades K-8. Each grade will go through up to 10 different units, all with a unique focus. My top priorities in the classroom are collaboration, growth, and creativity. Cheers to another wonderful year at CKS!
Erica Billard
About Me
I am grateful to be part of the Christ the King community. I am in my fourth year at CKS, my tenth year teaching Pre-K, my ninth year as an early childhood director, and my second year as vice principal.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and French and a Washington State teaching certificate with an endorsement in elementary education. I am currently completing my principal internship through Eastern Washington University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership program and look forward to graduating with my Washington State Principal Certificate in June 2027.
A lifelong North Seattle resident and Catholic school graduate—go Bears!—I am also the proud mother of two daughters. In 2025, I was honored to receive the St. John Baptist de La Salle Educator Excellence Award from the Fulcrum Foundation.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and joyful. My classroom is rooted in Catholic faith, meaningful relationships, and a strong sense of community. Through purposeful play, hands-on learning, and developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive practices, children are encouraged to explore, create, solve problems, and grow in confidence.
I value partnering closely with families and helping children develop independence, mindfulness, and positive problem-solving skills. Above all, my goal is for every child to love school and feel loved at school.
