Mt Edgecumbe Preschool Team

Holly Marban : Director

I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool’s new Director!

I came to Sitka from the east coast over 16 years ago to serve as a volunteer for one year. I quickly grew to love this sweet island community and call it my home. I have two young boys, Connor and Luca (“Bean”). I fell in love with Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool when my older son began attending. Witnessing discovery, exploration, growth and development in young children is such a rewarding experience. I feel passionate about the importance of play-based early childhood education. I adore Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool and want to see it thrive for years to come.

My Bachelor’s degree is in Human Services from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. My Master’s degree is in Nutrition from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. I have spent time providing direct services in health education, health and wellness coaching, behavioral skills development, as well as management roles at Youth Advocates of Sitka and in the WISEWOMAN Program at SEARHC. After a few years staying home with my sons I can’t think of a better place to work than Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool.

My family loves to play and adventure outside together. You’ll often find us biking, splashing in puddles or exploring low tide. I also love yoga, gardening, baking, cooking and spending time with friends. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all!

Erika Knox : Office Manager

I first came to Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool in 1977 with my brother Kevin when it was located across the bridge on the "island." That year my mother, Kara Knox, helped the preschool transition from an informal group of friends offering childcare & preschool-like experiences to an official licensed facility with IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status.

The school continued as a place of exploration for my own alumni children Kobi & Annan. Even though they're both young adults, they enjoy assisting in annual preschool fundraisers. Occasionally Annan can be found outside with a gaggle of children collecting bugs or inside pretending he's the napping zoo keeper so the "animals" can escape.

I offer a tiny desk for visitors during the day while I pay the bills and keep things going behind the scenes. Young visitors enjoy listening to audiobooks, classical music or drawing at the table.

Kate Johnson : Teacher

I am teacher Kate and have been with Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool since 2011. It's a magical and marvelous place to spend time. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have been working with kiddos (including being at home with my kids) most of my adult life.

I grew up in Vermont and South Dakota. In 1997 I moved to Alaska to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage. I am a small-town girl and love Sitka. I have two super awesome daughters who are Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool alumni.

At school I love to take bus adventures to explore nature, read stories, nurture big preschool thoughts and laugh. My main teaching goal is social and emotional growth. I like to help children understand feelings, express ourselves and build a classroom community of kind humans.

When I'm not at school you might find me reading books, exploring tide pools, drinking tea, hanging out with my cats, picking berries, walking with friends, volunteering at the animal shelter or being in the forest.

Krystal Strong : Teacher

My family has been living in Sitka for 15 years. My husband, Jeremy teaches at Sitka High School. We’re both Alaska Native (I’m Aleut, he’s Tlingit); born and raised in Alaska. I grew up north of the Aleutian Chain on Saint Paul Island. I attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School. My husband grew up in Klukwan (a village north of Haines). We love the community of Sitka and feel fortunate to be raising our children Calvin, Malachi & Valya in such an amazing place.

I have my Bachelor's degree in Child Development & Family Studies with an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education teaching emphasis.

Before starting my family, I worked in various early childhood environments: Head Start, Montessori, Preschool (this very preschool back in 2007😉) and Family Childcare. After having children, I started my own family childcare program and loved being able to stay home with my kids while doing what I love…nurturing children💜 All of my children attended Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool. When my daughter started attending preschool I transitioned from home childcare to teaching at MEPS once again.

I am looking forward to my 7th year as part of the amazing teaching team and can’t wait to meet all the incoming families.

Rachel Pilch : Teacher

This is my family including my husband Nick, daughter Willa & Leif.

After earning my B.S. in Natural Sciences from University of Alaska Anchorage, and a minor in communications; I substitute taught in Anchorage for several years in a wide range of classrooms. I earned an Early Elementary Teaching Certificate then taught preschool in Tacoma, WA while coaching high school swimming with the Steilacoom Sentinels. Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool is the place I first taught after moving to Sitka with my husband. When Willa & Lief came along, Willa attended school while I took a break. Now that Leif is getting also a preschooler, it's exciting to be teaching in a way that works with our family.

I enjoy plays, music, swimming, board games, reading, and spending a lot of time outside hiking or gardening.

Katie Belt : Teacher

My family and I moved to Sitka a few years ago for St. Michael's Orthodox church where my husband, Father Herman, is the priest. We have 2 boys, Jack and Daniel. Sometimes Daniel plays an energetic game of tag with the preschool children who giggle while they try to catch him.

I am from the Midwest originally; so Alaska is a big change and I love it here so much! I've never lived in a more beautiful place than Sitka!

I started a home daycare when my oldest son was born and continued for 6 years. I was a teaching assistant at a Montessori elementary school for 2 years before moving to Sitka where I continued preschool work.

I love working with and teaching this age! I love seeing preschoolers learn and grow, and am so excited to continue with Mt. Edgecumbe this year!