Our Teachers

Si In Kou (she/her) is joining Eastgate Cooperative Preschool in fall of 2024 as our Children’s Teacher. She is incredibly passionate about children’s education and loves working with toddlers and preschoolers. 

Si is originally from Macau, China. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. She earned her Associate Degree in Accounting from Bellevue College and then transferred to the University of Washington for her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood and Family Studies because of her love for children and her desire to understand their social and emotional behavior through daily interactions.

During her time at UW, Si volunteered at the Experimental Education Unit (EEU), an organization focused on children with developmental delays and autism in an inclusive program. Through her work at the EEU, she learned how to positively redirect children and gained insight into the challenges faced by parents. 

Si began working at The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens (TCC) while she was still a junior at UW. Starting as a volunteer, she progressed to become a classroom teacher (with toddlers and preschoolers) and eventually the program manager. Through her tenure at TCC, Si has continually learned about children, families, and business management. She is experienced in curriculum planning, classroom management, supporting the individual needs of children, and communicating with parents.

After 14 years of working with children, Si took a year off to be a stay-at-home mom, supporting her daughter's transition to kindergarten and spending quality time with her younger son. Now, she is eagerly anticipating her new role as a lead teacher at Eastgate Cooperative Preschool in Fall 2024, where she hopes to continue serving children and families with her expertise.

Outside of work, Si cherishes spending time with her husband, 6-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son, and her dad. Family is the most important aspect of her life, and she strives to be a fun and engaged parent. She enjoys activities such as hiking, fruit picking, and traveling with her family.

Cymbric has been teaching for the Bellevue College Parent Education program since 2015. She teaches at Eastgate Toddlers, Family Inventors' Lab and our STEM summer camps. She has also taught Discovery Science Lab. In the past, Cymbric worked as an educator at Pacific Science Center for 12 years. She ran the outreach education programs and designed curriculum for Interactive History Company for 18 years. Up until Covid, IHC offered hands-on history programs covering various periods in history for schools, libraries, scouting and community groups throughout the PNW. She has also taught for Destination Science summer camps and the "Discovery Club" summer reading program at Imagine Children's Museum in Everett.
Cymbric has an adult daughter and a granddaughter.

Her favorite thing about working for our programs is watching both students and their parents light up as they discover new ideas, skills, and concepts

Leng joined the Bellevue College Parent Education program in 2023, where she teaches at Eastgate Toddlers. Additionally, she has served as a volunteer librarian and volunteer PTSA organizer at Jing Mei Elementary School. Leng is proficient in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, and Malay. 

She has two children in elementary school. 

Her favorite aspect of working for our program is observing the progression of a young child deeply engaged in concentration as they explore and master new activities in the classroom.