Cela's Creative Learning Academy

The students always love when community helpers come visit the center, and the dentist visit with Medical Lake Family Dental was definitely a favorite 🦷

They got to learn about brushing teeth, healthy habits, and even practice on the giant teeth model. There were lots of smiles, questions, and excited little helpers wanting a turn with the toothbrush.

We’re so thankful for the people in our community who take the time to come spend time with the kids and make learning fun. 💙

Pictured: The Toddler Class practicing brushing their teeth.

Our students had the opportunity to learn from a visitor from Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital who spent time teaching them all about caring for animals! 🐾🐶

The children learned how vets help keep pets healthy and what animals need to stay happy in a fun, kid-friendly way. There were lots of thoughtful questions, excited conversations, and plenty of stories about their own pets at home!

Experiences like these help build empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. We’re grateful for community helpers who share their knowledge with our little learners.

Pictured: The preschool class listening to our visitor share.

✨ Teacher Highlight ✨

Miss D’rey brings a ton of enthusiasm and experience to our School-Age Program. She’s pursuing her BA in Business and comes with many years of experience at the Boys & Girls Club. Since joining Cela’s, she’s quickly built strong connections with every student and has grown so much as part of our team.

She carefully plans each day so the kids have a fun, engaging, and relaxing time beyond their school hours. Whether it’s hands-on science experiments, creative art projects, or group games, she creates opportunities for kids to explore, play, and enjoy themselves in a space that feels safe and welcoming. Her care and attention make every child feel valued and seen.

Even in the short time she’s been with us, Miss D’rey has made a big difference for our School-Age Program. We’re so grateful for her dedication, her warmth, and the joy she brings to every day.

Rainy, windy days don’t stop us from getting our energy out! 🌧️💨

Alongside Music and Movement Time in the classroom, we set up an indoor obstacle course to keep the fun going strong. Students are balancing, jumping, spinning, and even putting their critical thinking skills to work as they navigate a maze. One obstacle at a time, chasing those rainy day blues away!

Pictured: The Preschool Class putting the obstacle course to the test.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Cela! 🎉💐

Today we’re celebrating the heart and soul of our center, our incredible director and owner. Your passion, dedication, and love for what you do is so inspiring. You’ve created a place filled with warmth, care, and community, and we are so grateful to be part of it.

We love and appreciate you so much, and we hope your day is filled with all the joy you bring to others every day. 💛

✨ Teacher Highlight ✨

Ms. Naomi brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our program with an AAS in Early Childhood Education. Since joining Cela's in 2013, she has taken on many roles, growing alongside our program and helping shape the strong community we are today.

She brings a deep understanding of child development into her work where she intentionally supports children’s autonomy by modeling language and offering meaningful choices. Whether guiding open-ended art experiences or exploring science activities, she follows the children’s interests and empowers them to make decisions, build confidence, and stay curious.

Ms. Naomi’s dedication, consistency, and commitment are felt throughout the entire center. She is currently in the running for the America’s Favorite Teacher contest. Please take a moment to vote for her.

Is Naomi Jones America's Favorite Teacher? For the last 26 years it’s been my passion and joy. Knowing that I help shape the lives that will guide our future is deeply gratifying.

Today was extra sweet at our school! 🍦✨ The ice cream truck rolled in and suddenly everyone became very good at listening… 🤭🎶

Keep your ears open 👀🎵If you hear that music, don’t walk… RUN! He might be driving by your house next! 🍧🏃‍♀️

Need the ice cream truck for your event? Reach out to CC Delivery LLC! They’re awesome!

🍩 Ask for Cela’s Sprinkles on your donut at LAKES Harvest Foods! 🍩

Our Pre-K Class had the BEST time on their field trip to LAKES Harvest Foods! 🛒✨

The kids loved meeting the amazing team who keeps everything running, getting a behind-the-scenes look, and seeing just how much work goes into their everyday shopping trips!

A huge THANK YOU to Jerry, Terry, Lorrie, Danny, Angelica, Vicky, Sue, and Krista for being so kind, welcoming, and patient with our little learners. You made this trip truly memorable! ❤️

We’re so grateful for community connections like this that help bring learning to life!

We had a special visit from Spokane County Fire District #3! Firefighters Hill, Sossaman, Rossmeier, and Johnson spent time with our students, answering questions, teaching important fire safety tips, and giving an exciting tour of their fire truck 🚒

Experiences like this are so meaningful! They help children feel more comfortable with first responders while learning how to stay safe. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect our students with the amazing people who serve and protect our community every day.

Pictured: Some staff and staff children standing alongside our visitors.

✨ Teacher Highlight ✨

Ms. Glenda is our incredible center cook, whose talent and care are evident in every meal. When she’s away, all of our taste buds notice!

She creates meals that are nutritious, safe, and developmentally appropriate for children of all ages. She carefully considers every step, from selecting the freshest ingredients to preparing and cooking homemade dishes like sopa de lentejas and lasagna, paying close attention to texture, flavor, and presentation, while supporting children’s healthy growth, positive mealtime experiences, and developing tastes.

Every lunch and snack she prepares is a thoughtful, nourishing, and joyful part of our day.

We love supporting local! And our kiddos do too! 🥚💛

We’re so excited to be partnering with local farms to bring fresh, high-quality foods into our center. A big thank you to Casa Cano Farms for for these absolutely BEAUTIFUL eggs from Sullivan Family Farms. Just look at those colors! 🌈

Not only are they fresh and delicious, but they also give our children a chance to learn where their food comes from and the importance of supporting our local community.

Farm to table, right here in our classroom! 🌱🐓j