Yolanda Pierce, affectionately known as Ms. Yo or Ms. Yolanda to her students, has been a dedicated Pre-K teacher at Hillside Academy since 2007. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Everett Community College (EVCC) and brings over 16 years of experience in early childhood education to her role.

Ms. Yo chose to work in education because of her love for working with young children and her desire to contribute to their growth and development. She finds immense joy in nurturing kids under the age of six, helping them build a solid foundation for their future learning. At Hillside Academy, Ms. Yo values not only the opportunity to work closely with the children but also the strong sense of community support that extends beyond the classroom.

Her teaching philosophy is centered on the idea that learning should be fun. Ms. Yo’s goal each year is to get her students excited about learning and to foster a love for school. Besides preparing her students for kindergarten, she aims to create a vibrant and engaging environment where children can thrive.

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Yo enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves camping, hiking, reading, and doing crafts in her spare time. She is a fan of country music, Netflix TV dramas, and enjoys reading books from various genres.

A fun fact about Ms. Yo is that she lives by the motto “Living the Dream,” which reflects her positive outlook on life. She has been married for 27 years and has two children: a daughter who is 24 and lives in Ellensburg, and a son who is 21 and lives in Missoula.

Ms. Yo’s commitment to her students and her passion for early childhood education make her a cherished member of the Hillside Academy faculty. Her dedication to creating a nurturing and enjoyable learning environment aligns perfectly with Hillside’s mission, making her an invaluable asset to the school community.