Staff

Academy Teachers are dedicated and enthusiastic educators. Their goal is to build each student’s self-confidence, while providing them with the tools necessary to continue their education in a confident and positive manner.

PRESCHOOL

Hi, my name is McKenna Southey and I have worked at Mukilteo Academy since 2015. I’m currently the all-day preschool teacher and enjoy every minute of it. I graduated from Kamiak High School in 2012, and graduated from Edmonds Community College with an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2019. I plan on attending an online university program in the near future to earn my bachelor degree.

I have always had a love for children even when I was young. Though education wasn’t my first choice as a career path, I quickly fell in love with teaching. After hearing stories from my Nana who was a special education teacher and getting to experience firsthand how much of an impact teachers have on a child’s growth and development, I realized I wanted to pursue a degree in teaching and help shape the young minds of the future.

Outside of work and school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and especially my dogs Stella & Henry. I’m always up for a new adventure, that’s usually when the best memories are made. I also enjoy walking, getting lost in a book, and the beach.

I feel very blessed to be able to work with children every day. They touch my life in more ways than one. At the start of each new school year, I look forward to the new and exciting experiences the year will bring.

Contact Information
msmckenna@mukilteoacademy.com

Miranda Warner

My name is Miranda Warner. I am excited, thankful, and eager to begin this new journey as the morning preschool teacher at Mukilteo Academy!

Growing up, my dad’s career had my family and I living something of a “nomadic” lifestyle. By the age of 18, my two younger sisters, mom, dad and I had moved nine times – including three different countries – Thailand, South Korea, and Romania. From 4th to 10th grade, my passion for early childhood care blossomed. I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer with an orphanage aide organization in Thailand. Every Sunday we would bring food, supplies, toys, and unconditional love to surrounding orphanages. With each visit, my passion for children grew stronger and stronger. After moving from Thailand to South Korea, and then Romania, I continued to volunteer with a multitude of orphanage relief organizations. Throughout those six years, I saw the crucially important, and incomparably positive impact, that love, support, and compassion has on young children.

In 2012, I moved back home to Washington and graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School in 2015. That summer I headed off to Washington State University, pursuing a degree in business. However, after my freshman year, I knew business was not for me. I switched my major to my true calling – Human (Early Childhood) Development! With only one more semester of online classes left before the completion of my Bachelor’s degree, I have been enriched with extensive information regarding early childhood development, and am looking forward to applying that in the classroom. In my free time I love to hang out at the dog park with my Newfoundland mix, 110-pound fur baby, named, Mr. Monster! I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, especially if it includes being on the water or outdoors!

I cannot wait to help foster a compassionate, enthusiastic, encouraging, and confidence-building environment at Mukilteo Academy!

PREKINDERGARTEN

Hello, my name is Kristi Gilbert and I am one of the All Day Prekindergarten Teachers at Mukilteo Academy. I have been teaching here since 2005 and am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful team!

I am married to a wonderful man named Mike and have 3 children: Louden, Madison and Mackenzie. We love to travel, being outdoors, and spending time with our family and friends.

I look forward to being a part of your child’s educational life.

Contact Information
mskristi@mukilteoacademy.com

PREKINDERGARTEN

Hello, my name is Marisa Young and I am one of the All Day Prekindergarten Teachers at Mukilteo Academy. I have been teaching here since 2019 and am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful team!

Prekindergarten is such an exciting year of growing and learning. The goal of Prekindergarten is to give the children all of the tools they need to be successful Kindergartners. We focus on a letter of the week through activities, math, science, art & pre-reading. Being in education has always been a part of my life. I graduated from The University of Washington in 2001 with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice & Society with plans to be a Youth Social Worker. My calling though continued to pull me to early childhood education. I began by working at the Shoreline Children’s Center teaching Preschool for several years while I went to Western Washington University for my Teaching Certificate. I then graduated in 2005 and accepted an offer to teach All Day Kindergarten in Arizona for the Glendale Elementary School District. I taught for several years in Arizona before I moved back home to teach 1st grade for the Mukilteo School District. I taught for 5 years and then had my first child. I stayed home for many years. In 2019 after having my own children enjoy the program here I began teaching again and feel such peace in my soul to return to the classroom after having my own children.

I am married to Ben and we have 3 children~ Raegan, Tatum & Parker. We have 2 mini dachshunds; Murphy and Tahini. We love to travel, be outside & make memories as a family.

I look forward to being a part of your child’s educational life.

Contact Information
msmarisa@mukilteoacademy.com

KINDERGARTEN

My name is Nicole Mayville and I have been teaching at Mukilteo Academy since 2013. I graduated from University of Montreal, Canada (Arts and Sciences) in 1995. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree of Special Education from University of Montreal, Canada, and graduated in 1998. After teaching 5^th grade for 8 years with children with behavioral issues and learning disabilities, I decided to stop teaching and start my family. During that time, I kept myself engaged through an online education program and graduated in 2005 from University of Quebec, Canada, and have a Diploma of College Studies with a specialty in Psychology. We moved to the Seattle area in 2005 and decided it was a great place to start a family.

Philosophy about Teaching and Classroom Goals
Teaching is my passion. I embrace every challenge given to me and love to see children grow socially, emotionally and academically. I teach the “whole” child to ensure a good solid foundation. It is my responsibility to empower children to become confident individuals. My range of skills and attributes emphasizes empathy and all aspects of interpersonal relationships. I consider myself to be a kind, helpful, patient, and enthusiastic teacher. I enjoy having fun during lessons and have a great sense of humor that promotes exciting learnings. I motivate and sustain children’s interests through active learning and play. I am strongly committed to continuous improvement, based upon a fundamental motivation to inspire student success.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love running, exercising and traveling.

Contact Information
MsNicole@mukilteoacademy.com

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT

My name is Sarah Murphy and I help assist the teachers in the Mukilteo Academy classrooms. I also prep the art
projects that the children put together and love to see how they make the art their own. My teenage sons both attended Mukilteo Academy for preschool/pre Kindergarten and they have both continued their love for school and learning. While not working I enjoy spending time with my husband Tim, sons Mason and Jack and dog Rogue.

ADMINISTRATION

My name is Alyssa Rychard. I am the administrative assistant and classroom assistant. I am very thankful to be part of the MA+ team!

I am married to my wonderful husband named Fred and have a dog named Palmer. We love spending time on the weekends at our place is Crescent Bar with friends and family. I enjoy my Orange Theory workouts, spending time outside in the sun, and planning our next vacation to Maui.