Mt Edgecumbe Preschool Team
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.
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The school continued as a place of exploration for my own children Kobi & Annan who are now alumni. Even though they're both in college, they enjoy assisting in annual preschool fundraisers on their school breaks.
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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 "supervising" copy machine repair people or listening to audiobooks or classical music.
Lori Whitmill
Director
I've been lucky to call Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool my second home for 21 years. โ
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I first joined the Preschool as a devoted parent helper in daughter Kaysia’s class, then joined the staff as a teacher in 2003 before becoming Director in 2004. I enjoy kids of all ages and have taught middle and high school biology and coached high school and college sports. โ
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I have a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of California – Davis, a teaching certificate from Sonoma State University, and a Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from UAS. I especially enjoy continuing education classes and self-directed study in Early Childhood Education.
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I have lived in Sitka for 30+ years. Commercial fishing brought me here and I've never wanted to leave!
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When I'm not at school I love to garden, sing and play ukulele, jump in the ocean, build things, cook and hike with my partner Jeannie Jay. Summers are full hosting my sweet and curious 7 year old granddaughter! Life is good!
Katie Belt
Teacher
I'm newer to Sitka. My family and I moved here two years ago for St. Michael's Orthodox church where my husband, Fr. Herman, is the priest.
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We have 2 boys, Jack and Daniel.
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I'm 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 spot than Sitka!
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I started out with home daycare when my oldest son was born and did that for 6 years. I then was a teachers assistant at a Montessori elementary school for 2 years before moving here and continuing in preschool work.
I love working with and teaching this age! I love seeing preschool age learn and grow, and am so excited to start with Mt. Edgecombe this year!
Krystal Strong
Teacher
My family has been living in Sitka for 14 years now. My husband, Jeremy Strong, 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 and attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School, my husband grew up in Klukwan (a village north of Haines).
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We love the community of Sitka and feel fortunate to be raising our children Calvin, Malachi & Valya in such an amazing place.
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I have my Bachelor's degree in Child Development & Family Studies with an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education teaching emphasis.
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Before starting my family, I worked in various early childhood environments: Head Start, Montessori, Preschool (this very preschool back in 2007๐) and Family Childcare.
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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 children๐
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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.
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I am looking forward to my 6th year as part of the amazing teaching team and can’t wait to meet all the incoming families.
Kate Johnson
Teacher
I bring songs and stories to the children of Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool. Often I start the day with our students singing songs and end the day with them bundled up for outside play.
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My background in early childhood education started in 1998. After a couple years of studying psychology I discovered playing & doing projects with children was much more fun than studying their behavior. From that point I completed my degree from University of Alaska Anchorage in Early Childhood Education. I have been working and playing with young children since.
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Outside preschool I can be found on beaches and hiking trails with family & friends.
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โI am a voracious reader and have passed on this interest to my daughters Isabel & Amara. If you need book ideas for your children or something for yourself, I might be able to help!
Rachel Pilch
Teacher
This is my family including my husband Nick, daughter Willa & Leif.
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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.
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I enjoy plays, music, swimming, board games, reading, and spending a lot of time outside hiking or gardening.โ