Meet Our Teachers

Teacher Laura (Teacher and Owner)

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"I have known that I wanted to work with young children since I was a child myself. I have experience in childcare and play-based preschool settings, as well as a Masters Degree in Special Education. I spent time teaching in a public elementary school, but after having kids of my own, my strong belief in the power and magic of play brought me back to early childhood education. I am passionate about this work, and I believe deeply in the importance of allowing young children to learn through play. I love observing kids deep in play, and I believe I have a natural ability to see the world through the child’s perspective. This helps me to bring compassion, patience, and respect to my interactions with children. My favorite part of working in a childcare or preschool setting is helping children to communicate with one another about their disagreements and watching as they start to build skills to work through their conflicts independently. In my opinion, this is the most valuable skill for any human to have, and one of many reasons why play-based early childhood education is so very important."

Teacher BreAna (Teacher and Provider at Seedlings 15th)

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"I have always loved caring for young children and began working in early childhood education in 2008. I believe that children learn through play and open ended exploration. I am well versed in RIE, Reggio Emilia, and play based philosophies. 

I love having the opportunity to partner with families and provide individualized care for each child. 

I have an associates degree in early childhood education, a bachelor's in Community Development and civic leadership, and am working towards my masters in special education K-12. I am also honored to have the opportunity to gain a professional certificate from PSU in Indigenous child care practices. 

When not working I am usually doing homework, traveling, and cooking. I have a certificate in baking and pastry and love making breads and treats when I have the time."

Teacher Alaina (Teacher at Seedlings 15th)

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"Working with infants and young children has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I have been studying the RIE philosophy for a little over 10 years now, which has completely changed the way I view early childcare education. Even the littlest of children, while in my care, will be treated as whole, capable beings deserving of respect. To take myself away from how I view the world and see things through their eyes is humbling, but necessary. My passion lies with RIE, but outside of that, I also enjoy music, my shopping addiction, video games, and reading."

Teacher Madi (Teacher at Seedlings 15th)

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"I've been in Early Childhood Education for 7 years and have an A.A.S in Early Childhood Education and a passion for lifelong learning. 

I believe that children are born into the world with an innate curiosity and are active, capable participants in their learning process. My favorite part about working with young minds is their ability to find magic in what the adult might label as "mundane." Children teach me to seek joy and wonder in the little things, which is a gift I hold close to my heart.

In my personal life, I love playing outside and spending time with my husband and our pets. My favorite ways to play are constructing with natural materials, laying in moss, and throwin rocks in water. Apart from playing, I enjoy reading, painting, and swimming."

Teacher August (Teacher and Provider at Seedlings Dekum)

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August was born and raised in beautiful Colorado where they grew up exploring the many mountains and extensive forests. They spent most of their teen years traveling and moving around before settling down and going to college. They received their double major in Women/Ethnic Studies and Sociology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Colorado where they also met their amazing wife. They continued to travel and then explore the world with their wife before settling down in Durango, CO. Having paid their way through college by first being a nanny and later working at the Early Learning Center on their campus, they sparked a passion for intentional early education. They started their career in January 2021 at a Reggio based Early Learning Center, furthering their education and training. When they learned they were moving to Portland they became very excited to pursue their next step in their career and continue the journey of intentional education.

When they are not at work, they spend most of their time with their wife and small family of animals outside in nature. They have been eagerly exploring their new home of Portland and the many beautiful parts of the West Coast! They are avid nature lovers and hikers who are working very hard to find and learn about the edible and medicinal plants growing here as they are so different than Colorado’s.

Teacher Oakley (Teacher at Seedlings Dekum)

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Oakley was born in Michigan and grew up on the beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They spent their childhood dancing, hiking, traveling, and refusing to play any instrument for longer than two years (the most recent being the harp). At Hampshire College in Massachusetts, their interest in early childhood development came into focus. Exploring early learning centers across all schools connected with Hampshire College, Oakley fell in love with the Reggio Emilia inspired Early Learning Center right there on campus. They worked at the center throughout their college education and completed their bachelors with a mixed methods comparative study on social emotional learning in preschool classrooms that follow different pedagogies. Since moving to Portland to be with their sibling, Oakley has worked with Portland Public Schools Head Start program, as well as directly with families struggling with social emotional skill development. Now, they are excited to begin a very important step in their career as they join a school which believes in the child just as they do.

In their down time, Oakley loves to hang out with their two rambunctious orange tabby cats and their sibling. They are learning how to make stained glass lamps, how to cook, and more than anything they love doing puzzles of any kind.

Teacher Julianne (Teacher and Provider at Seedlings Sumner)

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"I have always wanted to care for young children and have happily done so since 2000. In 2014, I enrolled at PCC in the Early Chilhood and Family Studies program, where I learned a wealth of validating and new heartwarming information on how to best care for young children (including the RIE philosophy that's part of Seedlings every day!)

Through my education and experience, I have become cemented in the belief that very young children's work and learning happens through play and the discoveries that play brings. I see them thrive in environments with them in mind, and with dedicated adults to give love and support, watch closely, and learn and grow alongside them. 

I love the cohort model of building meaningful relationships with each child, adapting and scaffolding the environment for them and continuing the relationships by moving up to the next class together.

Me personally- 

I grew up here in the beautiful Northwest and never want to leave it. In my free time, I love getting to the ocean or a river, and if camping can be involved, even better."

Teacher Bash (Teacher at Seedlings Sumner)

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"I grew up in the Bay Area and went to San Francisco State University for my BA in English Education where I also worked in a Spanish immersion after school program. As the oldest of three I naturally became the default babysitter but that is also when my love of working with children started. I’ve worked with children in a variety of professional settings since 2014, but it wasn’t until I moved to Portland in the summer of 2018 that I had the opportunity to start working as a preschool teacher. 

As someone who is trans and grew up Latine, I’ve always thought that it’s important for children to learn empathy for those around them and to find pride in their culture(s). My goal is to help them learn how to embrace differences and recognize that those differences are what make us unique and special. I’m looking forward to creating a safe space for the children I work with and to be able to meet them where they’re at with patience, kindness and endless curiosity. 

When I’m not spending time with the kiddos you can find me at live shows (mostly emo), checking out new films (especially horror!), going to trivia around town or spending time at home with my life partner - cuddling up with our cats Loki, Greyworm and Missandei"

Teacher Tyleena (Teacher at Seedlings Sumner)

"Hello everyone! My name is Tyleena. Here is a little about me! 

My passions are: singing, dancing, art, nature, and connecting with strangers.

Most of my work has been in Early Childhood Education, because I love how magical little people are, it fits in with my passions, and allows me to bring my playfull personality into work with me. 

 I look forward to meeting you and your seedlings this fall, thank you for inviting me to become part of your community!"

Teacher Macy (Multi-Program Teacher)

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"I decided I wanted to be a teacher after having an amazing experience leading summer classes for kindergarten students. I’ve loved working with children ever since! I have experience working as a lead preschool teacher as well as an aide in a therapeutic classroom setting. Some of my favorite things to do in the classroom include hands on science activities, art, and playing the guitar. I love seeing children collaborate in 

creative ways and share their excitement with one another! I learn from the children around me every day, and I am committed to being a lifelong learner. 

I grew up in Hawai'i and moved to Portland in 2020 to get my bachelors degree in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College. In my free time, I love to play soccer, needlefelt, and spend time with my cat, Twyla."

Teacher zíven (Substitute Teacher)

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Zíven’s worked with & learned from children for three decades, since zí was a child: as a babysitter, nanny, soccer coach, swim teacher & coach, and early childhood educator.

Their education includes university studies in art history & philosophies of ethics, and community education in early childhood development (including heavy inspiration from Fred Rogers), international liberation movements, and place-based relationships with all beings.

Outside of early childhood education, they referee soccer and are a volunteer social worker. Socially, they participate in mutual aid, organize with community, and are a student/teacher in analog social technologies, health & safety skills, and arts. For play, zí spends time with zí’s extended chosen family, creates art, sings, dances, reads science fiction, and learns from plants. Their favorite activity though, is rest.