Dr. Meera Shin

Dr. Shin has close to 30 years of teaching experience and holds a Washington State teaching certificate with an Early Childhood Education endorsement. She also has extensive experience testing children for gifted program placements and early kindergarten entrance for public school districts and private schools. However, Dr. Shin is no longer testing for Early Admission to Kindergarten for the Issaquah School District.

Dr. Meera Shin received her Ph.D. in Child Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Syracuse University. In addition to teaching in the Early Childhood Education Department at Bellevue College and Eastern Washington University, Dr. Shin also taught at Syracuse University during her Ph.D. study.  She was also an assistant professor at Kean University, NJ. 

Out of desperate needs for her own child, Dr. Shin founded BKPlay Academy in 2006 and has since functioned as a main teacher. Now it is called BK Academy, the school serves gifted preschool and elementary school age students in Bellevue, Eastside of Seattle.

Since 1988, Dr. Shin has been teaching, researching, and has written numerous scholarly publications in early childhood education - covering language development from infancy to primary grades, teaching strategies for young children, and cultural issues in parenting and education that have appeared in books and professional journals (see published works).

Ms. Celina Paranhos

Social Skills and Preschool Specialist

I have taught for over 15 years in Brazil, more specifically in Rio de Janeiro my native city. I am fluent in Portuguese, English and communicate well in Spanish and French. Teaching English as a Second Language was always a passion for me. Seeing my students improve in their English skills gave me great joy and was my biggest reward.

I found my true calling (my purpose in life) at BK Academy working with gifted kids. I’ve been at BK since 2015. Observing these kids, being there for them, listening to them, being able to dive into their imaginary worlds, helping them to better navigate "real" life (aiding them in their social skills) is where my true passion lies. It is a privilege to watch small "miracles" happen every day.

As I often say, they teach me more than I them.

Ms. Jodee Wilch, MA IN Special Education

Research Projects and Upper Elementary Specialist

With a passion for honoring the "whole child" and fostering natural curiosity, I am a dedicated educator and a Master of Arts in Special Education. My teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in my personal and professional experience supporting neurodivergent learners. I advocate for exploring all modalities of learning—from traditional study to physical play, movement, music, and hands-on discovery.

I bring a unique perspective to education, drawing from a previous career in Real Estate Law before pursuing my true calling. After completing my Masters in Special Education at Northwest University and Concordia University, I became a champion for individualized education. My experience includes public and private school settings, where I consistently advocated for my students' needs. 

I have since dedicated 12 years to teaching, the last 7 at a private school in Woodinville, covering Language Arts, Math, and STEM for K-12 students. As the founder of Teach To The Child, a microschool based on my inclusive educational philosophy, I have a proven record of designing child-centered learning environments. I currently serve at BK Academy, where I continues my commitment to research projects and specializing in upper elementary education.

Ms. Paige Krumperman Darrington,

BA IN Commercial music

Music and Drama Specialist

When I was 12 years old, my Aunt Diane came to town. “Write me a musical!” Aunt Diane directed. And so I did. I wrote a few songs based on the book King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, pulled a group of friends together, and put on my first show in my parents’ living room. As the kids sang my songs and the parents cheered, I realized that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. So through middle school, high school, and college, I continued to write children’s musicals.

While pursuing my Commercial Music degree at Brigham Young University, I started my business, Sing and Play Productions. After graduating, I moved to Redmond where I am now running musical theater programs full-time. In addition to children’s theater, I run parent/child music classes for toddlers and preschoolers, teachers a musical theater elective for middle schoolers at Environmental Adventure School, and produces and hosts the children’s podcast “Constant Wonder Kids” on BYU radio.

Mr. Georgi Orlov from Orlov Chess Academy

Chess Coach

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