I began my journey working with children during my high school years as a swim instructor, which was both a challenging and rewarding experience. Although it took me many years to fully appreciate its significance, that early job truly set the course for my entire life. After earning my degree in History from the University of Oregon, I returned to the beautiful region of Central Oregon to pursue a Master’s degree in Teaching from OSU-Cascades. I spent seven fulfilling years teaching fourth and fifth grades in the Redmond School District, yet after a period of reflection, I felt it was time for a new adventure. A dear friend kindly offered me a position to manage their after-school program, which naturally evolved into my role as a teacher and eventually led to my position as the Director of REACH’s preschool program in Redmond. After some time, Koi and I made the exciting decision to take our extensive experience in childcare and open our very own preschool. There truly is nothing I love more than engaging with the question “Why?” Instead of simply providing answers to the children, I use the question “Why?” as a launching pad for exploration and deeper learning. By embarking on this journey of discovery together, kids learn that anyone can acquire new knowledge, that making mistakes is a part of the process, and that it is perfectly fine to be wrong. Equipping children with the tools they need to answer their own inquiries fosters the development of critical thinking skills. In my limited spare time (which is a humorous notion considering I am both a teacher and a parent), I enjoy activities such as reading, crocheting, and teaching martial arts.
Meet the teachers
Alex Spreier (He/Him)
Co-Owner/Director
Koi Spreier (She/They)
Co-Owner/Director
I have worked in preschool for nearly 15 years, and during this extensive time, I’ve obtained an incredible wealth of childcare skills that have proven invaluable throughout the years. My first preschool job truly set me up for success by enrolling me in the Oregon Registry Online and since then I’ve been diligently working on increasing my professional knowledge and experience. I have gone through several meaningful training opportunities to get to the level where I am now. As a Teachers Aide, Head Teacher, and Private Nanny, I feel like I have developed a flurry of early childhood development skills that I draw upon to create a unique and engaging teaching style. I have had the privilege of gaining experience working in various educational philosophies, including Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio-Emilia, and Play-based style preschools, and I also intend to home-school my own children to foster a high interest in learning from a young age. I have always had a deep passion for working with children and am truly excited to finally have my dream come true by owning my own educational program! In my spare time (Laughs in teacher voice), I enjoy engaging in creative crafts such as crochet, painting, and gardening. I also love spending time by a body of water, whether it be a peaceful lake, a flowing river, or especially the soothing ocean!
Danielle Stell (She/Her)
Head teacher
My first job was in a preschool, and I have been caring for children ever since then. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience working as a nanny, in daycare centers, after-school programs, and for summer camps. I also had the opportunity to teach youth athletics and supervise swim time after receiving my degree in Exercise Science. Before having my son, I spent a few fulfilling years working as a birth and postpartum Doula, where I cared for families in their homes during the transformative periods of pregnancy, birth, and the first few precious months with a newborn. My specialty was in nutrition and teaching healthy sleep habits to both parents and infants. Now, my son is 2 and a half years old, and I have dedicated my time to nurturing him and other children. I truly love building strong bonds with children and their families while they are young so that we can grow and learn together over the years. One of my favorite parts of teaching is witnessing that delightful "lightbulb" moment when children discover something new! In our free time, my family and I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, gardening, going on road trips, and we often find ourselves redoing the home decor more often than is perhaps necessary!
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Barb-Proffessional Artisan
We are delighted to introduce our talented and dedicated craftsperson, Barbara (affectionately known as Barb)! With her remarkable skill set and thoughtful approach to our crafting projects, Barb has become an essential part of our preschool community. She brings a level of expertise and intentionality that elevates each craft we undertake, ensuring that every project is both meaningful and creative.
Barb works closely with Koi to develop crafting activities that align with our monthly themes, thoughtfully selecting the perfect materials and supplies for each project. Her attention to detail and commitment to providing engaging, hands-on experiences for our preschoolers is truly invaluable.
With many years of experience in the craft world, Barb has a keen understanding of how to create projects that are not only enjoyable but also educational. Her contributions significantly enhance our curriculum and enrich the overall experience for both the children and our team. We are so fortunate to have Barb as part of our operation and deeply appreciate the creativity, passion, and care she brings to everything she does.
Natalie-Proffessional Chef
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We are incredibly fortunate to have found an absolute gem in our personal chef and shopper, Natalie, who has truly become our hero! With the constant challenge of providing nutritious meals for our preschoolers while managing our busy schedules, we recognized the need for someone to support us in offering healthy, delicious food options. That's where Natalie steps in.
Each week, she diligently takes on the task of shopping for fresh, high-quality ingredients and preparing wholesome meals that cater to the needs of young children. You can see our full comprehensive menu listed here on our website! Her passion for the culinary arts, coupled with her expertise, allows her to create well-balanced, flavorful dishes that not only nourish but also delight our little ones.
Natalie has seamlessly integrated into our school community and has quickly become a beloved member of our team. Her enthusiasm, warm personality, and dedication to providing healthy meals make her an invaluable asset to our preschool. She is truly excited by the unique challenge of cooking for young children and approaches it with creativity and care. We are so grateful for her contributions and thrilled to have her as part of our school family.
Monique-Development Consultant
Monique Vanden’Aklie is a visionary leader with a proven ability to turn dreams into tangible realities. With over a decade of experience in managing organizations, securing grants, fundraising, administrative oversight, and collaborating with diverse groups globally, Monique brings both the expertise and vitality required to strengthen and elevate any team she works with.
As a graduate of the prestigious Middlebury Institute for International Studies and a lifelong entrepreneur, Monique has cultivated a deep understanding of building sustainable, impactful systems of change. She is highly skilled in ensuring that these systems are not only effective but also responsive to the feedback of those most directly affected, always prioritizing community development and positive transformation.
Monique’s passion and life’s mission are grounded in her dedication to fostering peace on Earth, a principle she applies in every aspect of her work and personal interactions. Anyone fortunate enough to collaborate with Monique can be confident in her ability to create meaningful, lasting change while fostering collaboration, growth, and harmony.
If you would like to reach Monique for developmental work