Sequim Bay

Jacob has long been passionate about human development and potential, as well as the natural environment as a teacher. While his formal education took him down the path of Aviation Sciences (Jacob holds his FAA Flight Instructor License), his passions turned him into an autodidact in regards to curating understanding, empathy, and curiosity in others. Alongside teaching adults how to fly fixed-wing aircraft, he found an outlet for this passion in wilderness therapy, working with adolescents and young adults, as well as mentoring and working with kids in foster care. Jacob has also been an advisor to executives holding contracts with the DOD.

It wasn’t until his son was born in April 2023, that he discovered the immeasurable joys working with young children. A child’s brain is developing at such a higher rate than an adults, you can see the connections being made. Jacob quickly became fascinated at the speed in which young children metabolize new information, and he grew excited at the potential in helping kids create social-emotional regulation and resilience from the get-go, as he has seen first-hand the effects of lacking these imperative skills. As soon as Jacob learned about the ethos of Magnolia Forest Preschool, it clicked for him, bringing together his passion and understanding of human development. And he can think of no better place than outside, in a natural setting, for this to occur.

Jacob recently moved to Port Angeles with his family to be closer to more family. While he grew up in Utah, he loves the climate of the North Olympic Peninsula Coast, and you will find him playing in the mountains, on the coast, or maybe snuggling in front of a fire.

Liz recently relocated from the east coast where she was an art teacher for twenty-one years. She has one Masters degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a second from the NYU Steinhardt School of Education.

Liz is thrilled to be part the Magnolia team! She loves the magic that happens when children come together with excitement and curiosity. Outside of her time at school, she enjoys exploring her passion for art and spending time outdoors with her family.

William has been a beloved campus director at Magnolia since 2020 and continues to steward his Silverwood Campus classes while mentoring new site directors. He graduated from Olympic College in 2008 with a degree in Arts and Science with a special interest in both geology and biology. He started martial arts when he was young and eventually found a passion for it which led to becoming both a martial arts and fitness instructor for 15 years, helping guide children as young as two in developing important social, behavioral, and character development skills. It has been one of the most influential parts of his life growing up and he jumped at the opportunity to teach kids and fulfill the role of a mentor and fellow student.

A visit to his old elementary school helped him discover that it was time for a change of pace, which led him to Magnolia Forest Preschool, where he has been given a new opportunity to influence children in a different way, becoming a source of comfort and a guide for when they need him as well as a fellow student learning alongside them.

He believes in a hands-on learning approach and feels that there is no bigger motivation in learning than through having fun and making positive experiences, helping equip children with fundamental skills, and facilitating the time and space to practice those skills so that they can carry them for life.  As a father and husband, William has been a member of our local Poulsbo community for many years.

Brandyn earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Grove City College, with a concentration in math and science. She taught high school science (i.e. biology, chemistry, physics and physical science) and loves to inspire children to revel in the intricacies of nature. She holds a master's degree from the University of Washington in Library and Information Science. She is passionate about empowering Magnolia staff through knowledge creation and management strategies so that many children can experience the transformative power of play-based forest school learning.

Brandyn believes that all children are innately artists, initiators of originality, and is dedicated to fostering this in their very first experiences at school. She has an extensive background in early childhood dance education and was the Artistic Director at Aspire Academy of Expressive Arts in Sequim prior to moving to Kitsap County. When inspiring children to dance, sing, and make music in forest school, she draws on her certification in American Ballet Theatre’s® National Training Curriculum, Music Together™, and the Brain Dance Method.

Brandyn is the mother of three children, ages 18, 15, and 13. She is championed by her husband of 21 years, a well-loved high school teacher in Kingston.