Meet Our Staff
Tara Katz (She/Her)
Founder, Director of Education
Tara Katz serves as the Tara’s Tots Director of Education. She studied the principles of Rudolf Steiner and Waldorf Education at Emerson College in England. Prior to that, she completed a degree in Speech Communications with an emphasis in Theatre Arts at Oregon State University. She has taught kindergarten and first grade at Waldorf schools in Seattle, Whidbey Island, and England—playing founding roles in some instances, and active roles in all! Tara was the first teacher of preschool at our sister school Fremont Community School (FCS) in 2001. Seeing firsthand Seattle’s great need for more outdoor schools, she opened Tara’s Tots in 2008. We are pleased to have her enthusiasm and commitment serve as the heart of our school. Tara is the mother of three children: Rachel, Phoebe and Alexander.
Adriana Lazu (She/Her)
School administrator and Lead Teacher
Adriana has a degree in Elementary Education along with a Child Development Associate certificate (CDA). She is also completing her BAS in Early Childhood Education. She has over 10 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field working with children of all ages. She has a huge passion for teaching and a love for the PNW outdoors, especially in the Fall! She loves seeing the children as they grow and discover the beautiful world that Waldorf education has to offer. She enjoys spending her free time exploring all the wonderful things Seattle has to offer with her 4 year old daughter, Avi. She also enjoys reading, baking, shopping and doing crafts that are usually requested by her daughter!
Office Facilities
Alexander Katz (He/Him)
Alexander was born and raised in Seattle. He grew up around his mother's preschool, Tara’s Tots. As Tara's son, it comes naturally to him to understand the needs of little children and it shows in his care towards the children and their environment. Alex has a passion for Ultimate Frisbee as both a coach and a dedicated player.
Maria Jimenez (She/Her)
Maria has been an early childhood educator for 17 years and she is passionate about working with young children. She has a tender approach as well as a creative side and curiosity for learning. Maria grew up in Madrid, Spain and brings cultural diversity into the classroom, with songs, games, or stories. She earned her undergraduate degree at University Complutense in Madrid and has taken intensive courses in Waldorf Education at various locations around the country. Maria makes pottery in her free time. She also loves walking, music and spending time with friends and family. Hugo 28 and Ana 26, are her two beloved children.
Malcolm Hull (He/Him)
Support Teacher
Selena Colon (She/Her)
Support Teacher
Hello families! I'm looking forward to teaching and growing with you and your children this year. A little bit about me; Before my arrival in beautiful Seattle. I was traveling through the country in my van, living in Hawaii and educating myself within the Behavioral Health field which led to my admiration for Early Childhood Development. Outside of being an educator, you can find me hiking with my two dogs and Friends, dancing in the kitchen, cooking up a meal, and creating art. I am passionate about the importance of early childhood education and the impact social-emotional learning has for our community and children. I am so excited for this new year and to see all it serves us.
Substitute Teacher
Malcolm is the morning Lead Teacher and afternoon support teacher at Tara’s Tots. He attended Gonzaga University and studied philosophy and music. He taught at a local preschool for 1.5 years before joining our school and loved it, but decided that he wanted to spend more time outside! Malcolm sees that children are intelligent, curious, loving, and deserve the very best in them to be brought out and honored. Remembering his own childhood, and understanding some beautiful parts of life, he knows that children need to be shown a world that is worth caring about. Being in nature, playing the guitar and saxophone, philosophy, seeing friends, gardening, and anything else good for the soul are what he enjoys most.