Des Moines, WA

Bezos Academy Des Moines launched on October 19, 2020.

The safety of our students, staff, and community is our first priority. Our decisions regarding COVID-19 operations reflect this commitment. We have filled the available classroom seats. To add your child to our waitlist, please apply below. We are grateful to our host partner, Wesley Homes, for donating the space needed to launch our first Bezos Academy in Des Moines, Washington.

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Meet Our School Team

Amy Axtman

Amy Axtman

Teacher

Amy passionately supports the mission of providing equitable access to education for all children. Her 30-year career centers on the creation of thriving school communities that support and serve children and families within a wide array of challenging settings, from private and public Montessori endeavors to military and intergenerational communities. Amy is deeply humbled to continue to her work teaching, collaborating, and serving the children and families of Des Moines. Prior to joining Bezos Academy, Amy founded, owned, and operated her own Montessori school. She has taught in a nature-based Montessori program as well as in an intergenerational program. She holds an AMI Montessori diploma in addition to a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Intervention. Amy was raised in Tahoe City, California, and likes to escape to local mountains to hike, snowshoe, kayak, and ski. She also enjoys gardening, traveling, making pottery, and cooking for her friends, son, husband, and their beloved bullmastiff, Laszlo. Amy’s favorite children’s book is The Missing Piece.

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Teacher

Breeayn-Douthit

Breeayn Douthit

Assistant Teacher

Breeayn’s role in the classroom is to help the teacher and students maintain a prepared and peaceful learning environment. She was introduced to Montessori when her own children were enrolled at a public Montessori school in Tacoma, Washington. She was so inspired by the way Montessori influences life experiences in education, home, and the community, that she dedicated seven years to actively volunteering at her children’s school and continues to advocate for equitable Montessori opportunities for all children. She applied the knowledge she gained from volunteering to working as a Montessori classroom assistant and enjoys every aspect of supporting the classroom. Breeayn went to high school in Gig Harbor, Washington and received her AMI Children’s House Assistant certification from Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon. When not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, sewing, hiking, and getting projects done around the house.  Her favorite children’s book is The Little House.

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Assistant Teacher

Charmaine Diel

Charmaine Diel

Assistant Teacher

Charmaine assists teachers in developing and implementing a program of activities that promote the cognitive, lingual, emotional, social, and physical development of each child. She supports children in better understanding the world around them. Charmaine previously worked as a lead preschool teacher, an experience that established her passion for teaching and early childhood education. She strongly believes in an encouraging learning environment in which each child feels valued and recognized. Charmaine attends the University of Washington College of Education, where she will receive her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies. Charmaine was born in the Philippines and grew up in Western Washington. After spending her childhood in South Park, Burien, and Federal Way, Charmaine has built a strong connection to Seattle Southside and enjoys serving her community. Charmaine’s favorite children’s book is A Light in the Attic. 

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Assistant Teacher

Debbie Olson

Debbie Olson

Head of School

Debbie has spent 20 fulfilling years serving and learning from children and families. Debbie is excited to serve as Head of School and honored to have the opportunity to co-create an equitable, collaborative, and awesome place for children, families, and staff. Before joining Bezos Academy, Debbie was a Montessori teacher in an intergenerational, public Montessori program, where she worked with fellow teachers as a professional development facilitator. Debbie holds an AMI Montessori diploma, a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Psychology, and a master’s in Education, with a focus on equity, advocacy, and leadership. Debbie visits her family in Scotland when possible and loves going to the beach in every kind of Pacific Northwest weather. She also enjoys quiet hangouts with her son and loud dance parties with her goddaughter. Debbie’s favorite children’s books are Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch, Six-Dinner Sid, and Peter’s Chair. 

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Head of School

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hours

Mon – Thu    8:00am-5:30pm
Friday           8:00am-3:30pm
Hours may change due to Covid-19

location

824 S 216th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

contact us

desmoines@bezosacademy.org
206-653-7444 

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Copyright © 2020 Day 1 Academies, dba Bezos Academy

Bezos Academy does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, gender, religion, creed, cultural or family background or beliefs, family structure, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, language, citizenship or immigration status, ancestry or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and school-administered programs.

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