Our Staff & Faculty
Our teachers and staff are at the core of the high quality care that is offered each day at Peacock Family Services. We invite you to meet our teachers, whose levels of education, life experience, and training support our program’s excellence. All of our teachers and staff are certified in Infant & Child CPR, First Aid, and HIV/Blood-Borne Pathogens, have a negative TB Test, and have cleared the Department of Early Learning’s highest background check.
Peacock's Management
Childhood Development Center
Nature Nuts Educators
Peacock's Management
Zoe Vrieling
Executive Director
Zoe grew up on Bainbridge Island and has since returned after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington and her Master’s degree in Environmental Education from Miami University. At Miami University Zoe studied wildlife conservation and education, where she explored how a love of nature and wildlife, fostered at an early age, can lead to a deep and life-long stewardship of the environment. She joined the Nature Nuts Team to help expose the Nuts to the wonders of our beautiful outdoor areas, sparking that passion within the kiddos of Bainbridge Island and Greater Kitsap.
Zoe’s past work experience has included joining the education team at Woodland Park Zoo in their Giraffe Barn, as well as with Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, studying seabird population trends on the West Coast. As a reintroduction to the Island of her youth, Zoe has also worked on the sales team at Bon Bon Confections. You can find Zoe on her days off spending time with her family and her corgi pup, walking the beach, exploring our forests, or cooking.
Jess Boynton
Childcare Director
Jess is creative and kindhearted, with a passion for making children smile while encouraging them to think. Jess is currently working on her certification in Early Childhood Education and enjoys applying her coursework to the daily activities and interactions in her preschool classroom. In her spare time, Jess enjoys needlework, hanging out with her cat, and listening to podcasts.
Along with her other duties at Peacock Family Services, Jess convenes Peacock’s Alliance of Bainbridge Childcare Directors (ABCD) and is a member of the Bainbridge Island School District Preschool Inclusion Champions (PCI) task force.
Brady Fullwood
Nature Nuts Program Director
Brady was born in Kitsap County but raised in North Carolina. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Healthcare Management, although he found his passion shortly after when he began working at summer and adventure camps, as well as outdoor science school. He has been building upon his skills acquired while contributing to recreational and educational programs through the YMCA. He is excited to show what he can offer to the Nature Nuts program and grow as an outdoor educator. Brady loves exploring the area and enjoys long hikes, DIY projects, and sports. Since moving back to the Kitsap area in late 2020, when Brady is not working, he’s trying to explore everything the state of Washington has to offer!
Kathy M. Haskin
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Kathy has been with Peacock since 2015. Her diverse professional background in education began in 1986 when she taught in her first outdoor classroom. Her experiences include: teaching environmental education for all ages, supervising educational facilities, leading and mentoring teams of teachers, as well as designing and publishing multidisciplinary curricula. Her published curricula have been circulated globally and translated into several different languages.
Before coming to Bainbridge Island, Kathy was part of the leadership team of Teton Science Schools where she coordinated its Jackson Campus, a multi-faceted facility with a residential environmental education program, family and conference center, as well as its own private preK – 12 school.
More recently, Kathy has worked toward cultivating the educational capacity of Bainbridge Island’s arts and culture efforts through her position at Arts Humanities Bainbridge. She and her husband are proud parents of three incredible young adults.
Along with her duties at Peacock Family Services, Kathy serves on the Bainbridge Prepares’ committee for Child Safety and Family Reunification. Kathy also values her time with family, gardening, bird-watching, and travel.
Childhood Development Center
Berenice Martinez
Preschool Lead Teacher
Berenice is thrilled to be a part of the educational experiences at Peacock. Each day she strives to give the children the very best of herself, treating them with the love and respect they deserve. Berenice is currently pursuing a career in primary education. In her free time, she likes going on motorcycle rides, painting with acrylics, and singing. Her absolute favorite thing to do is film photography, as it keeps her active and creative. Currently, Berenice is also self-teaching how to play the ukulele, and hopes to one day be able to use it as an asset in the preschool. Berenice hopes to bring joy, smiles, and wisdom to the preschoolers’ education each and every day she spends time with them.
Kathy Collins
Preschool Lead Teacher
Kathy is from Seattle and moved to Bainbridge Island 10 years ago. She is a graduate of Mercer Island High School and Washington State University. She has been an Early Childhood Educator since 1993, and has taught in many different environments and worked with young children of various ages. For the last 20 years she worked at Mother’s Place in Seattle until its closure in August 2022. She was an educator in the classroom, as well as a staff mentor and manager. Kathy is passionate about fostering social/emotional learning and strives to create an environment of harmony and acceptance. She feels it is very important as an educator to take each child’s individuality into account and celebrate it. Kathy enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with family.
Sandy Hill
Preschool Teacher
Sandy Hill, born and raised in Seattle, graduated from Seattle Pacific University. Recently, Sandy moved to Bainbridge to be close to her two children and five grandkids. Sandy loves children! She has taught and substituted at elementary schools, and even owned a Cookie Store for 12 years. Some of her hobbies include reading, playing music, travel, watching and participating in sports, and she is an avid Seattle Mariners fan!!!
Karen Rigdon
Preschool Teacher
Karen moved to Washington four years ago from Juneau, Alaska. She has over 20 years of experience teaching music in public and private schools. Karen has a Master’s Degree in Education and looks forward to continuing her education with preschool children. Karen loves hiking in the Pacific Northwest, learning Spanish, playing piano and ukulele, and cooking ethnic foods.
Tina Kong
Toddler Room Lead Teacher
Tina is originally from Seabeck, Washington and has always loved the Pacific Northwest. She completed her Associates Degree in Arts from Olympic College and is currently working on her state certification in Early Childhood. She has worked with children all her life, and believes meaningful play is the greatest learning tool in our classrooms. In her spare time Tina loves spending time with her family, reading, and taking road trips.
Chloe Joesten
Toddler Room Lead Teacher
Chloe earned their BS in Wildlife Conservation Biology and Applied Vertebrate Ecology with a minor in Spanish language at Humboldt State University in Northern California in 2014. After their undergraduate career, they pursued teaching and mentorship experiences with youth in their community through working in schools and coaching junior roller derby. With a stronger foundation in working with youth, and their passion for sciences, Chloe pursued graduate level education at the Teton Science School Graduate Program for outdoor, experiential education. Chloe then finished their MaEd at Antioch University Seattle in the Urban Environmental Education program, incorporating how cities and environmental justice are integral to our understanding of environment, conservation and social emotional well-being. Chloe has experience with and enjoys working with students from preschool to adult further education. Creating positive learning environments while collaborating with the community is where their passion resides for teaching.
Lexee Zimmerman
Preschool Lead Teacher
Lexee grew up in Southern California. She moved to the PNW just in time for her senior year of high school. It is then that she became involved in youth ministry and leadership, and found her passion for helping others and working with children and young adults. Lexee took that passion for helping others and pursued a Certified Nursing Assistant program after which she has been working the last two years at an assisted living facility here on Bainbridge Island. Lexee is now excited to translate these skills to working with children again. Lexee loves being outdoors. She enjoys singing, painting, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Farrah Hereld
Pre-kindergarten Lead Teacher
Farrah is originally from Everett, Washington but moved to Kitsap County in 2016. She has been working in childcare since 2007, shortly after graduating from Shorewood High School. She has worked with all ages ranging from infant to school aged. She enjoys spending time with husband, her two chihuahuas, cats and her bearded dragon! She looks forward to teaching in the Prekindergarten classroom and watching the children learn and grow!
Stephanie Possanza
Toddler Teacher
Stephanie has been working in early child education for over ten years. Most of her experience has been with students who speak English as a second language, here in the US as well as in Northern Thailand and Cambodia. She also has experience in Montessori, and general education – and specifically loves working with PreK aged children. The first few years of a child’s life are so important and she loves supporting and nourishing that development in a beautiful and exciting environment. Stephanie grew up here in the PNW and has a nice little spot by the water with her partner, his two children, and their dog. She loves coffee and books but still spends too much time playing video games. She is so happy to be a part of the Peacock family, and is excited to share in your child’s growth and development.
Kaylee Banker
Pre-kindergarten Teacher
Kaylee is originally from Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. She is the oldest of 5, all girls except for one boy. She enjoys being outdoors and traveling. Last year she made her biggest adventure happen and went over 3,000 miles to the Virgin Islands! (Which was a blast!!) When she isn’t outdoors and traveling, she loves a cozy evening with a good book!! She is currently enrolled in the Early Achievers Program and will be focusing on Administration! Kaylee loves working with all ages and hopes to gain so much more experience for the future.
Maggie Smith
Center Teaching Assistant
Maggie grew up on Bainbridge Island, and has always liked working with kids. Most recently, Maggie has volunteered at KiDiMu as a camp counselor and worked as a babysitter. Maggie loves the unique way kids see the world, and thinks it’s important to encourage that through their learning and play. In her free-time, Maggie likes to spend time with her friends, family, and her dog Jazzy.
Rochele Lane-Bollinger
Center Teaching Assistant
Rochele grew up in Las Vegas and moved to Kingston about four years ago. She’s always loved being around kids. She began working in assisted living for about a year but found a passion for working with children, so made the move to preschool. She loves making the kids feel better when they are down, teaching them new things, and just being around them. Children give such a different perspective on things! In her free time, Rochele enjoys hanging out with her friends, family and boyfriend, and her two cats Kidderz and Bolton.
Zac Vrieling
Peacock Custodian
Zac grew up on Bainbridge Island. He has recently moved back to the area after living and working on Maui for the last 11 years. In his free time, he loves taking his dog for walks and listening to podcasts.
Nature Nuts Educators
Lacey Brazeau
Nature Nuts Lead Teacher
Lacey grew up not far from here in Kingston, WA. Her Bachelors of Arts degree focus was in Anthropology from The Evergreen State College. She has been a part of many opportunities on Bainbridge Island such as historical research on the Yama project in 2017. She also may have shown your kids amazing birds of prey in their classrooms while working as an education team member at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter. Lacey has a passion for wildlife conservation and education, and in her downtime goes birding and plant identifying. She is looking forward to sharing her passion with young stewards of the earth, and teaching them to admire and respect wildlife all around the world, but especially native animals in their own backyards.
Emma LeNoir
Nature Nuts Lead Teacher
Emma grew up in Minnesota and has been living in Kitsap for the last 5 years. She got her AAS in Business Management and Accounting in 2018. After discovering a love for teaching, Emma went back to school at Northwest Indian College where she received her Early Childhood Education Certificate while working as an Early Head Start Teacher for the Suquamish Tribe.
Emma is passionate about teaching children the different types of rocks, minerals, and local plant life. When she’s not working, Emma enjoys spending her time with her loved ones, learning to cook, and learning how to play TTRPGs.
India Stephens
Nature Nuts Assistant Instructor
India grew up on Bainbridge Island, spending weekends exploring the grand forest with her dad who sparked her interest in local ecology and plant identification. She spent most of her high school years in Olympic National Park and exploring the backcountry of Washington. In her free time, she loves outdoor adventure sports, foraging, and cooking. She has been teaching skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing since she was fourteen years old and loves to share her passion for adventure, native plants, and outdoor living with any nature nuts who come her way!
McKenzie Burkard
Nature Nuts Teaching Assistant
McKenzie is a current student at the University of Washington and is planning on pursuing a degree in Education. She is returning for her third summer at Nature Nuts this year and is so excited to spend time exploring the outdoors with all of the awesome Nature Nuts kids! In her freetime she loves to make music, to get outside on walks with her dog, to craft, and to relax with family!
