Staff
- Infants- Little Lambs
- Toddler 1- Skunklings
- Toddler 2- Frogs
- Preschool 1- Foxes
- Preschool 2-Geoducks
Casey Birdsall, Director
Thank you for your interest in Evergreen's Campus Children's Center. I have been the Director since January of 2008. Before coming to Evergreen, I was a director at a for-profit center, the Early Learning Program Coordinator at the Hands On Children's Museum, an Early Childhood Training & Curriculum Specialist on a military base overseas, and a Montessori schoolteacher. I began working with children in 1995. I was awarded a B.A. from Evergreen in 1996 and an M.S. in Education from Walden University in 2003. I believe that Evergreen's philosophy coincides very well with our philosophy: both emphasize a student-centered, holistic approach where compassion, responsibility, critical thinking, and creativity are valued.
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Donna Simon, Assistant Director, Early Childhood Program Specialist III, Preschool 2: Geoduck Room
Hi, my name is Donna. I began my adventure with other people's children in 1970, with Head Start. Since then I have provided care in my home, in a private for profit Center, and have been with the Campus Children's Center since 1987. I received my AA in Early Childhood from South Puget Sound Community College and Centralia College, and I am a '96 graduate of Evergreen. I am a Master Teacher and Mentor. Evergreen is an amazing environment for children of all ages. I believe the 3 R's should be WondeR, DiscoveR, and ExpeRience.
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Kristi Rychener, Early Childhood Program Specialist I, Preschool 2: Geoduck Room
Hi, my name is Kristi Rychener. I have been working at the Evergreen Children's Center as a Specialist 1 since January 2008. Prior to that I worked here as a student and then provided one-on-one care as a temp. I graduated from Evergreen in '06 with a focus on Transpersonal Studies. My studies reflect my belief that there is something miraculous about being human, and I am honored to be working with young miracles. We are more than behaviors and chemical processes. In the classroom my hope is to encourage a sense of inherent value in everyone I work with, to honor the inner workings of feelings and needs as well as the larger interconnections of our classroom and campus community.
My name is Avis Russell. I am a graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for ten years! I believe our experiences in early childhood are the foundation upon which much of our later happiness and success are built. I feel priviledged to be a part of the lives of the children here. I enjoy being a part of the Evergreen community, where the enthusiasm for and enjoyment of learning are tangible values that are reflected in our program and classrooms!
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JoAnn Scott, Early Childhood Progam Specialist II, Toddler 2: Frog Room
Hi, I'm JoAn Scott. I have been a Program Specialist here at the Campus Children's Center for 18 years. I prefer working with toddlers. I have a bachelors degree from Evergreen, and an ATA in Early Childhood Education. Family is very important to me. I believe you create your own fmaily wherever you go.
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Amber Morris, Early Childhood Program Specialist I, Toddler 2: Frog Room
Hello, my name is Amber Elson Morris. I've been working at The Evergreen Campus Children's Center as a program specialist 1 since September of 2003. I've spent most of this time working with the infants and one year olds. I have had three years of early childhood education. I continue my education each year, with at least ten hours of S.T.A.R.S/E.C.E. credit. I've worked in various childcare centers and worked for Sound to Harbor Head Start as a teaching assistant for two years prior to coming to Evergreen. I got married in 2006 to my husband Anthony. I became a mommy to 9-year-old Damon and 5-year-old Kayden. In May 2007 we welcomed our daughter Callie Marie into our lives. When I'm not at work, I like to spend time with my family doing something fun outdoors.
Mindi Bliss, Early Childhood Specialist II, Toddler 1: Skunkling Room
I began working with children in August of 1992, and have since worked in Corporate Centers, a children’s program in a Recovery Center, and a Non-Profit Center. I joined the Campus Children’s Center team in April of 2007, and have found my niche working with the one-year-olds. In the winter of 2002, I earned my AA from South Puget Sound Community College with a strong emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. I plan to continue my education here at Evergreen and focus my studies on brain development. I still attend ECE workshops and classes to keep a fresh outlook on my role as an Early Learning Teacher.
Marilyn Fuller, Early Childhood Program Specialist II, Infants: Little Lamb Room
Hi, my name is Marilyn Fuller. I have 6 children and 11 grandchildren. My home on the holidays look a lot like a children's center. I did not plan that, it just happened. I have been dedicated to Early Childhood Education for over 22 years. I have a bachelors degree in Psychology and an ATA in Early Childhood Education. I take STARS classes each year. I belong to SSAEYC, which supports the education of ECE providers. I am also an Infant Massage Trainer.
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Tracy "Loulu" Sandvig, Early Childhood Program Specialist I, Infants: Little Lamb Room
Hey, I'm Loulu. I've worked here since February of 2004. While here I have worked in all the classrooms from the infants to the preschoolers. I started out in school age care through the YWCA in my hometown of Walla Walla, but moved on to early childhood and discovered that it was this younger age group that I really wanted to continue to work with. Since then I've worked in multiple centers in the Olympia area. I really love working here at the Campus Children's Center. It is such a great place fulled with wonderful people (young and young at heart) and surrounded by a college campus that provides us with so many unique learning experiences and adventures.