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Meet our team, dedicated to providing a high-quality early learning program in our outdoor classroom.
Caroline Taylor
Outdoor Preschool Director
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Caroline’s path to early childhood education has been shaped by a lifelong love of learning, a deep interest in child development, and the experience of becoming a mother.
Caroline’s educational background is in Early Childhood Education at Skagit Valley College, and she has experience teaching and supporting neurodivergent preschoolers through behavioral therapy as well as working with youth and families in the nonprofit sector.
Caroline believes children learn best when they feel safe, connected, curious, and free to explore. She is passionate about child-led learning, supporting social-emotional development, and creating environments where every child feels that they belong. She loves the way nature-based education gives children space to solve problems, build confidence, and experience the joy of discovering something for themselves.
Her professional background has also given her a strong appreciation for relationships with families and connections with the larger community.
Outside of work and school, Caroline is a mom who enjoys wildcrafting, sustainable foraging, and gardening. She loves growing food and herbs for her family and neighbors and finding new and old ways to use, preserve, and share what she grows and gathers.
She is excited to bring curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning to the Fidalgo Nature School community.
26.27 Lead Teacher
Hilary Kovalchik
26.27 Lead Teacher
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A little bit about me: I started out my career with a Bachelor in Music Education but I’ve also fundraised for Habitat for Humanity, served as an Americorps VISTA at an outdoor alternative high school, taught English to school-children in Namibia, and worked with people with developmental disabilities. I have always loved being outside and one of my favorite things to do is to set off on a hike to explore unseen sights. My other favorite things include playing music, reading, and learning new languages.
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For the past 4 years my family has been living in southwest Germany, where two of my three children have attended an outdoor preschool. I’ve watched them spend their days climbing trees, foraging for interesting sticks and rocks, concocting delicacies in the mud kitchen, as well as anything else that strikes their curiosity when they are in the forest! I can’t imagine a better way for children to grow and learn and experience joy.
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Even though we’ve been out of the country for years now, we call the Pacific Northwest home. My family has long ties to Anacortes and Guemes Island. My youngest (4 years old) will also be joining the Fidalgo Nature School. I look forward to many happy days exploring the woods and beaches with all of you!
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Luanne Ferrell
Teacher, and previous FNS Lead Teacher
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Hello, I am Luanne. I am a mother to four children and a wife to a Navy pilot, but that doesn’t
truly define who I am. My passion is in being outside exploring what the natural world has to
offer. You might find me tending to my garden, exploring a new trail, or hitting the waters with
my family on a canoe. I have had the privilege to live and explore many different regions and
cultures of our great country. I grew up in the forest behind my childhood home in Longview,
Washington. I went off to college to study archaeology and geology at the University of Oregon.
After earning my BA, I went on to Oregon State University to earn my MA in archaeology and
geology. Upon graduation I had my first child, and my husband joined the Navy where I have
been traveling the world ever since.
In 2018 I started teaching outdoor classes for children and their families in our local community. In
2020 I had the privilege of working for Fidalgo Nature School as the assistant teacher. I fell in love
with the concept of nature schools and decided to go back to school to earn my AS in early
childhood education. I have since brought my love of being outdoors together with my passion for
teaching young children. It is my belief that the youth deserve a safe place to learn, grow, and
develop their own passions for themselves, others, and the natural world. It is my desire to provide
that space for the children here at Fidalgo Nature School.
Hello everyone at Fidalgo Nature School!
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Christina Tristan
Teacher
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Hi! My name is Christina. My husband and I have recently relocated to Whidbey Island in semi-retirement, but honestly it was to be closer to our grandchildren who are growing much too fast! Being native Southern Californians, we thought the move would be much more difficult than it has been. We have found that we absolutely love everything about this beautiful state! Being close to two of our three adult children and creating new memories - priceless!
I have an AS in Early Childhood Studies, an AA in Social Sciences, and a BA in Human Development. I have been so fortunate to have followed my dream of teaching for 35 years, the past 20 as a Head Start teacher encouraging and observing the love of learning develop as the children explored their environment. I have also been a Mentor Teacher for the California Mentor Program for the past 16 years. Training, supporting, and modeling developmentally appropriate practices were my responsibilities as a Mentor Teacher. This is also where I learned of different curriculum and programs, and I truly loved the idea of nature school. I look forward to sharing your children’s time as they create, explore, and learn here in Bowman Bay with all of its natural materials.
Angela Sheppard
Teacher
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I joined the Fidalgo Nature School team in January 2023 and I have had so much fun learning and exploring with all of our bright young students! I have a masters degree in Criminal Justice and spent many years working to help people from a social justice perspective. After having children I decided to focus my time on raising my four
kids while volunteering in their schools, working with numerous community based youth
organizations and working as an interpretive trail guide for elementary school aged children. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for environmental stewardship and my love of nature with our students.
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I am originally from Colorado. I grew up skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking and enjoying countless hours in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. After high school I moved to California to attend the University of San Diego. I met my husband there who is on active duty in the US Navy. Over the past 20 years we have lived coast to coast and we even spent 3 years living in Japan!
Justin Kirby
Teacher
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"Hi! My name is Justin and I live in Anacortes with my wife Tasha, daughter Paige, son Nash and dog Trevor. We moved to Anacortes about 7 years ago and it was the best move we have ever made. Fidalgo Island and the surrounding area are second to none!
A little about me, I grew up in Connecticut, went to college in upstate New York and then started working in New York City. After 5 years in NYC, a good friend of mine moved to Seattle and invited me over for a vacation. I immediately fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. Two months later, I quit my job and headed West! I held various marketing jobs but am proud to say that I took two years off when each of my kids were young, so that we could go on big adventures together!
About 5 years ago I changed careers and started working with special needs students at Anacortes Middle School. I was also a substitute teacher for virtually every grade and every subject; including working for the Whitney Early Childhood Learning Center.
When I am not having big adventures, with not very big people, you can find me hiking in the Cascades, kayaking in the San Juan Islands, riding my bike all over Skagit County, or backpacking with my son Nash as a part of the Boy Scouts of America.
I am thrilled to be a part of the Fidalgo Nature School, there is no better learning environment than the great outdoors!"
Ally Akyol
Teacher
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Hi y'all! My name is Ally Akyol. I started teaching at FNS after moving to Washington from my home-state of Missouri. I quickly fell in love with this state, as the natural beauty here in the PNW offers an ideal environment for learners of all age to explore!
I hold a BS in Parks, Recreation, and Sport from the University of Missouri. My professional journey has been deeply intertwined with nature and education. I began my career as a Naturalist at a state park, leading school children on field trips through the local cave system. Before transitioning to WA, I worked as an Outdoor Specialist with the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, guiding scouts on memorable camping adventures and fostering a love for the great outdoors. Currently, in addition to teaching, I work for Girl Scouts of Western Washington as an Area Manager. I also volunteer with Skagit County’s Ground Search and Rescue team!
Outside of work, you can find me exploring the underwater world while scuba diving, hiking through the mountains, or playing card games with my friends. Or on a camping adventure that combines all three! It’s an honor to work and learn alongside the FNS community!
Flynn Rodriquez
Teacher
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Hi there! My name is Flynn! I am a recent graduate of WWU Fairhaven with an interdisciplinary degree in Pedagogical Practices and Resistance through Puppetry and Subversive Art.
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I am a puppeteer, radio DJ, and lover of the outdoors. I love to teach, and I hope to someday work as a professor of socially engaged art. I am originally from rural Colorado, but now Bellingham is my home! I spend a lot of time in coffee shops reading or by the ocean with friends.
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I love seeing how puppets can be used for educational storytelling and identity exploration. It’s much easier to explore the world with a puppet by your side! I can’t wait to see what stories I discover here at Fidalgo Nature School.
