Kitsap Memorial

Megan has graduated from Aquinas College, in Michigan, with a degree in Sustainable Business & Environmental Studies. She is currently pursuing her teaching certification in Elementary Education to be completed in spring 2022.

Megan has spent 12 years working with children. She discovered her love of working with children while working as an Environmental Educator at Eagle Bluff ELC in Minnesota.  While there, she realized the strong, lasting connections children have with the natural world and how its calming presence enables their growth. That lesson has remained close to her heart.  She brought this perspective to children while working at the Boys & Girls Club on Bainbridge Island. Now, after taking some time to begin her own family, she finds herself back where she feels at home, caring for children in the natural world.

A Michigander at heart, Megan has found her niche in Washington and is loving raising her family and exploring the PNW.

Anna holds a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from University of Marie Curie-Sklodowska in Lublin, Poland. Before moving to Washington in early 2017 she taught English as a second language in Poland and Germany for almost 10 years.

Throughout her teaching career she has always remained a learner first, but the most valuable lessons came from being a parent. She believes it's extremely important to let children become comfortable with the whole spectrum of emotions available to them in the earliest stages of their development. Providing a safe environment where they can freely interact with nature and their peers will help them become self-aware and respectful of themselves, others and the world around them.

Anna loves hiking and exploring Washington both solo and with her family. She's an avid yoga practitioner and a certified instructor. She's also a competitive strategy board gamer and an amateur piano and ukulele player.

Laura grew up in Poulsbo. She received her bachelor's degree in Geology from Whitman College. She moved back to this area because of how much she loves the local environment. She has worked at various camps and has taught outdoor environmental education, team building and ropes course classes. She also coached a local high school swim team. Most recently she has worked as a land surveyor which has given her the wonderful opportunity of seeing many hidden gems in Kitsap County.

Laura loves working outdoors and has an interest in education and nurturing children's development. Magnolia has all of these aspects. Laura enjoys the opportunity to watch children explore and discover their surroundings and their inner curiosity and love for play in nature.

Laura lives with her husband and two girls, ages 6 and 14. She enjoys gardening, trail running, hiking, CrossFit, and reading.

Megan graduated from Evergreen College with a degree in Human Services. After multiple trips working with youth overseas, she knew she wanted to work with children. Megan is a lover of all things outdoors and immediately connected with the mission of Magnolia Forest Preschool. She can most often be found outside, running, hiking, or biking, and also works as a running and endurance coach, with a passion for working with pregnant and postpartum women.

Megan grew up in Arkansas and Tacoma, but has lived in North Kitsap for the past 11 years with her husband, Ian, with the exception of a year-and-a-half they spent traveling the country. That time solidified that Poulsbo was their home. Together with their sons Colin & Sullivan, they spend much of their time exploring the boundless beauty of the PNW, and traveling as time allows. Their dream is to build a skoolie and travel the country roadschooling the boys after their time at Magnolia.

Julie earned her Master’s in Education from Seattle Pacific University and holds an ESA Certificate in School Counseling. She has over 20 years of experience working with students in the US and abroad, as a mom, volunteer, and in the role of school counselor. Julie emphasizes the importance of empowering children to recognize and develop an authentic sense of self, and to learn to connect with their own inherent inner wisdom. She believes spending time outdoors is vital for learning, exploration, growth, and confidence building. Being in nature nurtures the soul, connects us with the earth, and helps us to establish a sense of community, while providing freedom to explore the natural rhythms of the world.

This past year, Julie has had the privilege of studying yoga with legendary yoga teachers. When she is not on her yoga mat, she is dedicated to spending quality time with her boys, and enjoys walking in nature, working out with friends, paddle boarding, meditating, reading, and learning about consciousness. She also loves her Akita/Malamute Leo.