Our Playschool Staff

Rachel has been with the Playschool since 2016 when her oldest daughter was a student here. She fell in love with our program and happily stepped into a teaching role the very next year.

Rachel graduated from Harding University with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. Her love of traveling found her gaining experiences working with children while doing mission work in Nicaragua as well as teaching English in Panama for 6 months. She also spent a semester abroad doing her pre-student teaching in Scotland.

She continued to teach until she moved to Alaska in 2010 when she switched careers and became a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines. She eventually stepped away to be a stay-at-home mom until her journey with us began. She was one of our teachers for a few years while all 3 of her children attended the Playschool and became the Director in 2022

I have been working with kids for as long as I can remember. I am the oldest of 10 kids, I've been teaching bible classes since I was a teenager, and I lived at a summer camp all my teen years. I am married and have 3 kids of my own, all of whom attended St. Mary's. The Playschool had a huge impact on my life because of the amazing teachers my kids had. I learned so much from them that was able to help make me a better parent!

Out of high school I did mission work in Australia for a year which made me certain I wanted to work with children and youth "when I grew up.” Since that time I've done exactly that! My goal this year is to learn a little more each day about the children in my class and how to best help them as one of the adults that is lucky enough to be in their life.

I moved to Alaska with my parents in the 80s, and I've lived here ever since! I met my husband before the turn of the century, and now we have 2 amazing kids, both of whom attended St Mary's. When our youngest moved on to kindergarten, I just couldn't leave the playschool, so I stayed on as a sub. Now, I'm thrilled to be in the classroom full time!

I enjoy traveling, costuming, stage combat, all kinds of crafts, and naps. But my greatest love is reading and I almost always have a book on hand.

My family has lived in Alaska since the 90s, and I definitely consider it home! I went to college at Florida Southern, but after graduation came right back to Anchorage. I have a bachelor’s in elementary education. I taught preschool for one year, and then spent 10 years teaching 3rd grade (with one year of 2nd grade in the middle) at Tyson Elementary.

I enjoy reading, downhill skiing, vacation to any beach, and time spent with my family!
My husband and I have two kiddos: one in elementary and one right here at The Playschool! Her first year of preschool was so awesome that I, too, hoped to spend more time here. I’m excited to be here among the wonderful staff and families of The Playschool!

I grew up in the Philadelphia area, went to college at the University of Pittsburgh, and then received my master’s degree in education at Arcadia University. After coming up to Alaska 12 years ago on my honeymoon I fell in love with the mountains and moved up here 9 months later! I love getting outside and hike and camp as often as I can. I also love reading.

For the last two years my son has attended the Playschool and when this job opened up I was really excited to continue coming here as a staff member! I love organizing, planning events, and working with children.