Staff

 

 

Laura - Director

Laura is the Director/Owner @ Happy Hollow.  She provides over 18 years of experience in early childhood education.  As an educator, researcher and manager she has worked in Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Guam to develop and operate preschool facilities since 1991.  As a Beaver alumni and a current PhD Candidate in Education with Deakin University in Australia, Laura is happy to be home working with local families in a diverse community of young learners.

 

Mario - Headmaster


Mario (a.k.a. Super Mario) is the long-time partner of Laura and the proud father of Mayan and Maraya Silan. As a graduate of Seattle University with a B.A. in Economics, Mario helps Happy Hollow run effectively every day as our all-around most talented crew member.   There is no knowing where you might see him working on any given day, but he is never far away!  He enjoys cooking, constructing, and conversation!
 

Dani - Assistant Director

Dani is our lead teacher for the Bumblebees preschool classroom. She has been working with young children for the past fifteen years as a kindergarten, preschool and after-school teacher. As an early childhood teacher, Dani's goal is to guide and nurture young learners to be independent, self-confident, and motivated learners in and out of their classroom experience. In her free time, Dani loves to be outdoors and she enjoys hiking, camping, fishing and being with her partner Justin and her two children - Rahlenna and Tyler. 

 

Emily - Kindergarten Teacher

Emily teaches our AM Kindergarten program using the Spalding Phonics program.  She has a degree in Education and Linguistics from Portland State University.   She draws her experience from teaching ESL at the Language and Culture Institute, tutoring children at the Rigg’s Literacy and Learning Center and teaching at the M.I.T.C.H Charter School for 2 years.   She has also spent time volunteering with Mercy Ships - ships that bring medical relief to developing countries.   She wants to further her studies in reading and literacy instruction.   During her free time she enjoys jogging, biking, hiking, reading and especially playing with her daughter.  

 

Natalie - Kindergarten Teacher

Natalie Palmer is the PM Kindergarten teacher for Happy Hollow.  She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Elementary Education.  Outside of the classroom she loves to read, go hiking and run while she takes care of her wonderful family of two dogs, Lucy & Boomer.

 

Tonya - Pre-school Teacher

Tonya Wolfe is  one of our Frog preschool teachers. She is the proud parent of a 4 year old named Austin.  Tonya started off her experience in child care by Nanning for a family for six years. She has been working with children of all ages now for 10 years. Her goal is to create an environment where children feel safe and comfortable to express themselves in a positive way.  Outside of school she loves nothing more then to spend time with her husband and son, enjoying anything that brings them outdoors.

 

Alley - Pre-School Teacher

Alley Benson is one of our Frog preschool teachers.  She has been working with Pre-K students a couple of years and is currently an Early Childhood Education major at Portland Community College.  She is enjoys sports, shopping and traveling and loves living in the Pacific Northwest!

 

Loretta - Pre-School Teacher

Loretta is the lead teacher for the Ladybugs preschool classroom. She has been a teacher in preschool and in kindergarten classrooms for seven years. Loretta speaks Arabic and has lived and worked overseas as an E.S.L. teacher for three to twelve year olds for over five years. As a mother of six whose age range from 6-25 years, Loretta has many years of experience working with young learners and her teaching goal is to help children construct their own knowledge as they grow in special and unique ways every day.

 

Kerry - Chef

Kerry is our incredible chef at Happy Hollow.  With over 25 years of experience as a lawyer, Kerry switched his day job six years ago to that of professional chef.  Lucky for us, Kerry loves to cook as much as we all love to eat! 

 

Rebecca - Bus Driver/Teacher

Rebecca Teran is the Bus Driver/Teacher for Happy Hollow.  She has a B.A. in Fine Arts and several years of experience working with young learners in a preschool setting and children's theatre.  You might enjoy watching her theatrical performances in local community theatre shows!