Kitsap Memorial

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.

Since he joined the Magnolia team in July of 2022 at the Kitsap Memorial site, Nate has found it extremely empowering for children to know that their voices are heard, understood, and important to those who listen. He is currently working on his bachelor's degree in zoology at Oregon State University and will graduate in 2025.

Nate spent much of his childhood fascinated by biology. Many of his birthday presents were anatomical models. Because his parents nurtured and encouraged these interests, he developed a long-standing passion for biology, wildlife, ecology, and learning. All things that lend themselves well to forest school! Following his degree in Zoology, he is planning on pursuing a Masters degree in education in order to follow in his Grandfathers footsteps and teach high school biology.

In his free time, Nate enjoys baking, playing with his dogs (Shroomy and Luna), making silly voices for stories, and creative writing.

Katie’s (she/her) roots lie right here in the PNW! She was born and raised on Whidbey Island and followed her dad’s footsteps by joining the Navy as an Information Systems Technician-Reservist in 2014. Hoping to be more involved with her two kids, Jordan & Eden, Katie separated from the Navy after 9 years and continued as a Certified Nurses Assistant while her high-school-sweetheart husband, Mike, is active duty here in Bangor, WA.

Katie found Magnolia when her son was 2.5 years old. After a family tour where she got to see and experience verbal mapping first hand, her son was signed up the next day. Katie fell in love with the philosophy of Magnolia and started as a substitute in September 2023 and was promoted to a regular teaching position in 2024. Katie is now considering a complete career shift from Nursing to Early Childhood Education and is researching degrees and programs at local colleges.

Katie spends most of her time pretending to be dinosaurs with her son, but on rare occasions can be found reading, singing karaoke with friends, or exploring different parks with her family.

Kennedy attended Lindsey Wilson College and received a B.A. in History and Women’s & Gender Studies in 2020 and an M.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Louisville in 2022. After jumping around in the nonprofit world, they found their calling while serving as an AmeriCorps member at the Louisville Nature Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where they worked with educators and teachers in the Swallowtail Forest School program. They are excited to continue learning about outdoor education and see young children blossom and engage with the wonderful world around them. Kennedy is originally from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky and is so excited to join the Magnolia family here in Washington!

Beth holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and is a classical pianist.  Beth began exploring child education philosophies when her son was young.  She began in Waldorf preschool classes, has taught in a Montessori classroom, and was also a paraeducator for special education in the public school district.  Now having found Magnolia Forest Preschool, Beth says, "When I'm at Magnolia everything that I've seen and learned comes together. It's there that I'm happiest and the children seem happiest."  On any given day you will find Beth working with children, being a homeopath or playing the piano.