Aly Thatcher, Director & Teacher
aly@huckleberrykidsnatureschool.org
As a young, quiet child Aly could be found braiding the blades of grass in the front yard, or chasing after the crows and squirrels during recess… as she grew up she was wishful of an experience like forest school for her inner child, and she knew she wanted to offer a nature connection space for young children.
Aly earned her bachelors in Sociology in 2015, her Forest Kindergarten Teacher Certification through Cedarsong in the fall of 2016, and shortly after joined the Cedarsong staff. She has since earned her Masters in ECE: Inclusive Curriculum & Instruction through Portland State, specializing in Infant & Toddler Mental Health.
You can find her laying on the forest floor, observing critters and building fairy homes. Aly is a proud member of the American Forest Kindergarten Association.
Linsey Moore, Teacher
She first fell in love with nature in the warmer waters and soft sandy lowlands of South Carolina and was delighted to find her drawings of oceanside forests come true when she moved to the PNW several years ago and began to know our Doug Fir, Madrona and Red Cedar rainforests. She pursued interests in farming, fiber arts and herbalism while falling in love with preschoolers and teaching methods founded in respect and child-led inquiry based curriculum. She also found great teaching inspiration from the Cedarsong Way as well as the 8 Shields model of nature connection. She is inspired by the deep presence and immersive attention that children and adults find in nature together. She appreciates the compassion, empowerment and inclusiveness that she has witnessed in children playing in community with nature. She is excited for all the play, laughter, stories and love we will share as we deepen our sense of belonging together.
Sydney Miller-McGraw, Teacher
Sydney grew up in South Seattle exploring the densely forested Cheasty Greenbelt. He began working as an outdoor youth educator in 2013 leading bike repair classes and bike touring camps through BikeWorks in Columbia City.
After graduating from the University of Washington he pivoted to adult bike education and was a TDM program manager in Seattle. As a teacher at Huckleberry he loves facilitating connections to nature through all four beautiful seasons!
Jamie Froyd, Teacher
Jamie is a patient and caring educator, and has been serving on our Huckleberry teaching team since 2022. Having been a career organic farmer here on the island for many years, her love for gardening and tending to plants is now perfectly and symbiotically woven with her passion for connecting children to nature and tending to their social-emotional development. Jamie loves horses, growing food, and witnessing the joy of learning through play!
Alex Drissell, Teacher
Alex brings a rich blend of education, creativity, and community involvement to her teaching. She holds a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas. She also completed graduate studies in Education and Society at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, focusing on culture, values education, and fostering ecological consciousness. Alongside her academic background, Alexandra has over 20 years of experience in music, theatre, and dance across professional, academic, and community settings. Since moving to Vashon in 2015, she has become deeply involved in the local arts and education scene—providing childcare, performing in plays and musicals, teaching theatre, and assistant directing. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in music, community, and deepening our connection with the natural world.