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 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. Jennifer Story Sul

Family Support Specialist

I am originally from Texas. My daughter went to BKPlay and I became a fan of BKPlay. I am currently a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Seattle Univ.

Ms. Woosun Shim Brewer

Classroom Support Specialist

I am thrilled to join BK Academy as I have been a huge advocate for the gifted program BK offers since January, 2016 when my daughter, Honor Brewer, joined its Kindergarten program. As a parent at BK, I witnessed amazing changes not only in my own child but also in many other students who have become so much more content and resilient while experiencing rapid academic advancement at the same time. I truly believe that the student-driven and individualized curriculum along with respectful and open-minded teachers at BK does wonders to the children and their confidence, and feel honored to join the force. At BK, we let the children be themselves and watch them shine.

I have a B.A. degree in Political Science from University of Alberta, Canada. I have several years of experience in teaching both children and adults English/Korean as a second language and also 2 years of experience being a learning coach for gifted children.

Ms. Judy Rogers

Music Teacher

I am a retired High School Band director and Dance teacher. I taught band (concert, marching, jazz, and pep), Dance, and Drama at Eastlake High School in Sammamish, WA. Before that I taught band at Bellevue High School and at Enumclaw High School. In addition to the high school bands in each district, I also taught beginning and intermediate band to the fifth and sixth graders.

I received my early education at Boise State College and Willamette University in Music Therapy. I was the Dance, Drama, and Music Specialist for the Seattle Parks Department of Special Programs for several years before moving to Bellevue to raise a family.

I received my teaching degree from Seattle Pacific University and took the position of Band Director at Enumclaw High where I developed a very successful band program and introduced a Steel Drum class into the curriculum. After becoming the band director at Eastlake High School, I saw a need for a dance class. My students could receive either an arts or a P.E. credit for the class which made it very successful. Since retiring, I has nurtured my love of dance by taking class at the Spectrum Dance Studio and my love of music by performing with the Bellevue Community Band. I and my husband enjoy traveling and babysitting our grandson who lives across the street.

Mr. Mike Hosford

Chess Coach

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