Our Team
A Partnership Committed to Every Child's Success.
The Early Childhood Education Initiative brings together educators and advocates on Orcas who are committed to securing permanent, universal access to high-quality early childhood education on the island.
Amber Paulsen, Kaleidoscope Executive Director
I have been a San Juan County resident my entire life and have called Orcas my home since I was five years old. I have wanted to be an educator for as long as I can remember. In 1996, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education in Interdisciplinary Child Development, with endorsements in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. I went on to earn my master's degree in 2003. Originally hired as a substitute at Kaleidoscope nearly 30 years ago, I have been able to live out my dream as the Executive Director, giving back to a community that has given so much to me.
Life on Orcas keeps me busy! I am fortunate to have much of my family as neighbors, and we gather often to celebrate our lives together. I have two teenage sons still at home and three adult daughters who have blessed me with five grandchildren—all of whom attend Kaleidoscope. I have been active in 4-H, coaching youth sports, local farming, and nonprofit boards, and I deeply value community involvement. Our family has also been a foster family for nearly 20 years, opening our home to many.
I can confidently say that every early childhood program on Orcas Island is high-quality, with each offering unique programming. I believe that every family must find the right fit for their needs, and the Early Childhood Education Initiative is a vital part of making that possible. The support that the Early Childhood Education Initiative provides is critical in ensuring equitable access for all!
Alissa Nasiatka, Orcas Island Children’s House Executive Director
I am the Executive Director at Orcas Island Children's House. After earning a bachelor's degree in special education from Brigham Young University, I worked in preschool programs, mostly in Cincinnati, Ohio, and for a few years in Seattle. Having served as a preschool teacher and director in multiple programs for 25 years, I am excited to bring my past experience to my new role. My love for the Pacific Northwest eventually led me to Orcas Island this past October.
I love creating nurturing, play-based learning environments for young children and believe that they learn best in the context of trusting, responsive relationships with the adults who support them. My goal is always to create a warm, supportive space where every child feels valued, capable, and excited to learn; every teacher feels appreciated and supported; and every parent feels respected and confident that we are meeting their child's needs.
Outside of school, I love traveling, exploring new places, scrapbooking, reading historical fiction, watching period dramas, and enjoying my new home on Orcas Island. My husband and I have four children, mostly grown, and one very spoiled dog. Our family has enjoyed many cross-country road trips over the years and has had the opportunity to visit and explore every state, finding the PNW our favorite! My husband and I are very excited to be part of this amazing, welcoming community on Orcas Island.
Maggie Vinson, Orcas Montessori School Executive Director
I was born and raised on Orcas Island. After graduating, I spent five years living and working in the city in the finance world before returning home to serve as branch manager of Islanders Bank. This experience strengthened my leadership, organizational, and fiscal management skills, all of which continue to inform my work today.
Throughout my banking career, I remained deeply committed to community service, serving on the boards of Children’s House, The Funhouse, OPAL Community Land Trust, the Orcas Island Historical Museum, and Orcas Montessori School. After many years as a board member at Orcas Montessori, I resigned from my position to step into the role of Executive Director.
I have now served as Executive Director of Orcas Montessori School since 2021, and I have never felt more passion for or commitment to a role. I am deeply dedicated to early childhood education and to helping young brains develop the foundational tools they need for success in kindergarten and beyond—socially, emotionally, and academically. This work brings together my love for education, community, and my own children. I am honored to serve the school and the island that shaped who I am today.
Regan Vaughn, Kaleidoscope Board President
I grew up spending summers and holidays on Orcas Island visiting my father. A career in Seattle-based hospitality management eventually brought me back to the island in 2012, when I assumed the Food & Beverage Director position at Rosario Resort. After several years dedicated to building business, culture, and community at Rosario, I ventured into business for myself. Since 2019, I have owned and operated Smokestack Services, valuing the unique opportunity it provides to engage with and support the community.
My four children all attend local schools and were the original inspiration for my involvement in early childhood education. I volunteered at Orcas Montessori School for several years after moving to the island and have helped produce the fundraising gala for Funhouse Commons since 2017. I am currently the Board President at Kaleidoscope Preschool, where I have served since 2019, and I am the Early Childhood Education Initiative Representative. I also serve as Secretary of my neighborhood HOA, have contributed to local election campaigns, and am a founding member of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual fundraiser, the Hops on the Rock Beer Festival.
I view my support of the island’s early childhood education community as both a commitment to securing the resources necessary to give every child a strong foundation and an effort to uplift working families who rely on these essential services. Without the critical support provided by preschools and childcare programs, many families would be unable to sustain the businesses and organizations that keep our island community thriving.
Whitney King, Orcas Island Children’s House Board Member
I grew up on Orcas Island and feel deeply connected to this community and the people who call it home. I earned my Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology from the University of Oregon, which shaped my understanding of how strong social and educational foundations support lifelong wellbeing.
For over seven years, I have worked as a real estate agent, a career allowing me to support others through major life transitions. I have always been drawn to roles rooted in service, connection, and advocacy. My commitment to early childhood education and community leadership is further deepened by my three years on the board of Orcas Island Children’s House, where I currently serve as the Vice President.
My involvement in early childhood education was first sparked by raising my son on the island, particularly his early years attending a local preschool. That experience gave me firsthand insight into both the lasting impact of quality early learning and the financial challenges families can face in accessing it. This has strengthened my belief that early education should be universally accessible to all children and families.
Serving on Early Childhood Education Initiative is meaningful to me because I believe it is an integral asset to our community. A strong educational foundation begins in preschool, and every child deserves access to quality, supportive early learning environments. I am honored to contribute my experience and perspective in support of Early Childhood Education Initiative’s mission for Orcas Island families.
Ethna Flanagan, San Juan County ECEAP Coordinator
I graduated in Early Childhood Education in the early 80’s from Melbourne University, Australia, where I grew up. Working with children and families has been a passion for over 40 years. My career evolved from a preschool teacher, program director, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) family support, ECEAP program manager, and finally, Early Learning Manager for San Juan County.
When the Early Childhood Education Initiative was forming I was running the preschool program at Salmonberry. Later as an ECEAP family support staff, I was aware of the important work that the Early Childhood Education Initiative was doing with our local early learning programs.
I eventually joined the Early Childhood Education Initiative as a steering committee member. Working with our local early learning program directors and being a steering committee member for the last ten years has been a meaningful life experience. The Early Childhood Education Initiative makes a significant difference preparing these young children to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. It is an honor to serve with the Early Childhood Education Initiative supporting our local families and our youngest learners in high quality programs. As a past preschool teacher and director, I have a huge tender place for the efforts involved. I know just how hard they work.
I have had a wonderful, adventurous life. I have travelled and lived in various countries, led teen trips, climbed mountains, kayaked in Maine, sailed on the Chesapeake Bay, white-water rafted the Youghiogheny River, and biked Cape Cod. I am so grateful life led me to Orcas Island. My adventures look a little different these days: piano lessons for my own pleasure, singing (like no one is listening), and adventures in a campervan with my dog.
Melinda Hallen, San Juan County Health Program Specialist II
After 20 years of camping in Moran State Park every summer and growing to admire the community culture on Orcas just as much as the spectacular natural setting, the stars aligned in 2014 and allowed my family to set up permanent roots here. I love all forms of being active outdoors and spending time with family and friends. A highlight these days is when my young adult daughter, Izie, visits home on breaks from her ventures in the wider world. Joining me in our full-time household are my husband, David, super-mutt pup Dora, and our two capricious Nigerian Dwarf goats, Lily and Sprout.
I was first introduced to the mission and impact of the Early Childhood Education Initiative while working as a lead teacher at Children’s House. Professional development there led me to learn about the profound and dynamic growth that takes place in a child’s first five years of life. I spent seven years experiencing the joy and satisfaction of extending preschoolers' learning and fine-tuning interactions and activities to support kindergarten readiness while bolstering their sense of belonging and mattering to their community.
In the spring of 2022, I transitioned from the classroom to San Juan County’s Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP) family support and early learning coordination. I believe that supporting the benefits of equitable access to the high-quality early care and education programs that exist on Orcas is an immediate and impactful way to grow our community’s good by promoting lifelong gains for our children, expanding the well-being of our families, and strengthening our local economy with sustainable participation in the workforce.
Stephanie DeVaan, Orcas Island Community Foundation Representative
I am the Orcas Island Community Foundation Board Liaison for the Early Childhood Education Initiative. I have been a resident of Orcas Island for twenty years, and I am on the board of the Community Foundation and The Frye Art Museum in Seattle.
Don Walters, Facilitator
After growing up in the Midwest and attending Purdue University, I moved to San Francisco to work in the video game industry and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, eventually making my way up to Seattle. Having visited the San Juan Islands for many years, my family and I finally made the leap and moved to Orcas Island in 2018. I am still making video games, but I love spending time with my wife, daughter, and friends amidst the natural beauty of our lovely Orcas Island community.
My involvement in early education began when my daughter attended Children's House. I joined the board there, eventually becoming the board president and joining the Early Childhood Education Initiative. After my term with the Children's House board ended, I became the Early Childhood Education Initiative Facilitator.
I believe that providing all children with support and high-quality early education opportunities should be mandatory for society. Every child should be given the tools and opportunities to succeed, no matter what their circumstances may be.
What We Do
The Early Childhood Education Initiative is dedicated to ensuring that every single child on Orcas Island has access to a high-quality preschool education, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Get Involved
We operate on the generosity of local community members, private foundations, and public sources. Find out how your donation of financial support or volunteering can make a difference.