Who Are We?
Step Beyond Academy (SBA) is a home based nurturing pre-school and afterschool program licensed by WA State Department of Children, Youth, & Families (DCYF). Step Beyond Academy was founded by Arti Teredesai who worked in one of the respected child care center in Bellevue prior to starting her own academy. Her experience and education in early childhood development has enabled her to design a program enriching all five domains (physical, cognitive, social, language, self help) of child development. At SBA, students are given daily opportunities to explore and learn through age appropriate curriculum and fun projects. These hands-on experiences help children build their own understanding through discovery. Our program emphasizes on cultivating leadership and life skills.
Step Beyond Academy has progressively gained the trust of families associated with it. As SBA grew, we were joined by highly qualified, driven, and passionate teachers. Everyday we strive to provide positive experiences and lay a solid foundation for kids to help them excel in future.
Arti Teredesai
Ms. Arti founded Step Beyond Academy (SBA) in 2015 with a goal of providing well rounded high-quality education to kids and make positive impact on their life. She enjoys working with children and loves to see them grow as confident, well educated, and responsible individuals. Prior to starting SBA, she worked at one of the esteemed presc
Ms. Arti founded Step Beyond Academy (SBA) in 2015 with a goal of providing well rounded high-quality education to kids and make positive impact on their life. She enjoys working with children and loves to see them grow as confident, well educated, and responsible individuals. Prior to starting SBA, she worked at one of the esteemed preschool in Bellevue which was guided by the insights of educators such as Paulo Freire and Maria Montessori.
Her experience and education in early childhood development and passion for teaching enabled her to take the big step of starting her own academy. She believes kids need healthy environment and positive guidance to learn and grow. Ms. Arti continues to apprise her knowledge by taking classes in the early childhood education field and management. She believes there is always something new to learn that adds value to the quality of education and care we provide.
Ms. Arti has BS and MS degree in Microbiology with specialization in clinical research. Additionally, she studied 'Early Childhood Education' at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, WA. She has lived and worked in India and Boston before relocating to Seattle more than 15 years ago.
In her spare time, Ms. Arti enjoys spending time with her kids and husband, cooking, and travelling.
Kavitha Premkumar
Ms. Kavitha relocated to Seattle from California in 2000. She has been with Step Beyond Academy for 8 years and is looking forward to many more. She has a Bachelor of Computer Science degree and worked at Microsoft for a brief period prior to beginning her teaching career. Ms. Kavitha was a pre-school teacher at a childcare center in Be
Ms. Kavitha relocated to Seattle from California in 2000. She has been with Step Beyond Academy for 8 years and is looking forward to many more. She has a Bachelor of Computer Science degree and worked at Microsoft for a brief period prior to beginning her teaching career. Ms. Kavitha was a pre-school teacher at a childcare center in Bellevue for 5 years before joining SBA. She is extremely passionate about teaching young kids and believes her passion for teaching led her to teaching profession. She enjoys being an integral part of kids' education and loves the affection and unconditional love kids shower on their teachers. She is very artistic and comes up with wonderful art projects for the school. She is also remarkably creative and comes up with new ideas to keep kids engrossed at circle time. She continues to take classes throughout the year in early childhood development to strengthen her knowledge.
Outside of work, Ms. Kavitha enjoys art, travelling, and spending time with her husband and two adorable kids. Her daughter is in the high school, and son is studying at Boston College, MA with major in Business.
Vandana Paluri
Ms. Vandana joined Step Beyond Academy in 2017. She has always enjoyed working with children and loves the joy that children bring to the classroom each day. Ms. Vandana graduated with Bachelor of Technology from JN Technological University in Hyderabad, India. She has been volunteering regularly at Rosa Parks Elementary school and provid
Ms. Vandana joined Step Beyond Academy in 2017. She has always enjoyed working with children and loves the joy that children bring to the classroom each day. Ms. Vandana graduated with Bachelor of Technology from JN Technological University in Hyderabad, India. She has been volunteering regularly at Rosa Parks Elementary school and providing support to the classroom teacher.
She believes in active lifestyle, commitment to professional ethics, standard of practice, and care and education of young children. She updates her knowledge by taking annual continuing education courses in early childhood development.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with family, play volleyball, enjoy sketching, and dancing. She is excited to start her fifth school year at SBA and looking forward to the years ahead!
Sheela Louis
Ms. Sheela joined Step Beyond Academy in 2018. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, India and MBA (Master of Business Administration) specializing in Human Resources.
Ms. Sheela is excited to be a part of Step Beyond Academy family and enjoys watching students learn and grow together. She loves working with children an
Ms. Sheela joined Step Beyond Academy in 2018. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Delhi University, India and MBA (Master of Business Administration) specializing in Human Resources.
Ms. Sheela is excited to be a part of Step Beyond Academy family and enjoys watching students learn and grow together. She loves working with children and believes learning should be fun and interactive. She continues to take courses in early childhood education throughout the year.
In her spare time, Ms. Sheela enjoys reading, zumba, yoga, and hiking.
Ekta Jaisalmeria
Ms. Ekta is excited to start her 3rd year at Step Beyond Academy (SBA) and loves being a part our wonderful SBA family. She has Bachelor of Commerce degree and prior teaching experience at a preschool in Redmond. She feels blessed to be able to enjoy the company of little kids every day and enable them flourish and develop academically an
Ms. Ekta is excited to start her 3rd year at Step Beyond Academy (SBA) and loves being a part our wonderful SBA family. She has Bachelor of Commerce degree and prior teaching experience at a preschool in Redmond. She feels blessed to be able to enjoy the company of little kids every day and enable them flourish and develop academically and socially. She believes teaching comes naturally to her and she connects with children easily. Being a mother of two kids, 17 year old son and 10 year old daughter, she engages in the overall development of a child. She keeps herself up-to-date on early childhood development by taking continuing education courses.
and certificates.
In her spare time, she loves hiking, art, and cooking. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.