Our Team
Alissa Nasiatka, Executive Director
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, I have been working in early childhood education for more than 25 years, creating nurturing, play-based learning environments for young children. I believe that children learn best in the context of trusting, responsive relationships with the adults who support them, and I view parents as essential partners in their child’s education. I am deeply committed to building a strong foundation of social–emotional development, helping children learn to communicate, cooperate, express themselves, and build confidence. I believe that open-ended, hands-on experiences help children feel safe to explore, problem-solve, take risks, and discover their own abilities. Having served as a preschool director and administrator in multiple programs, I am excited to bring my past experience to my new role. 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, and learning all I can about my new home on Orcas Island. My husband and I have four children, mostly grown, and one very spoiled dog.
Sophie Johns, Lead Preschool Teacher
My journey in Early Childhood began working as a summer camp counselor in high school. I knew early I loved working with children, learning through my mentor how to nourish the whole child through hands-on learning, play, and social emotional development. But, as many of us are when young, I first spent time exploring other avenues before I returned to my true passion of working directly with children. After graduating from Portland State University with a Bachelor's in International Development, I worked in politics and an educational non-profit benefiting girls in Afghanistan. When the pandemic began, I realized I wanted to be on the ground with children again and quickly enrolled in the Montessori Northwest and Whitworth University’s Primary Montessori Master’s Program where I completed my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I started as a Co-teacher where I began as a teen in a Montessori environment in Seattle, Washington. I then moved to Orcas, continuing my career in Early Childhood. As a new parent myself, I am excited to bring my expertise and playful, nurturing spirit to Orcas Island Children's House to not only educate children for a better tomorrow but also grow myself as the children teach me something new every day.
I am also an active member of the Orcas Dance Collective, teaching and performing to further serve our beautiful home through the art of dance. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, knitting, and hiking with my husband, Nick, our daughter Pearl, and dog, Yavanna. Yavanna loves to tag along wherever her humans are, but particularly loves meeting and playing with Sophie’s students.
Gemma Larsen, Lead Toddler Teacher
I moved here from the Philippines in 2023. At an early age, I learned how to take care of my younger brother. I also grew up living near many relatives including toddlers, and would often take care of my cousins, nephews, and nieces. I chose to work at Children’s House because I enjoy working with the kids. It reminds me of my life in the Philippines. I began training in early childhood education in 2023.
I learned to speak and write in tagalog at a young age. I am now at an intermediate level in English, and am taking weekly English classes to become more fluent. In my free time, I enjoy talking to my relatives in the Philippines, including my young cousins who are toddlers. I enjoy their sweetness and their fun demeanor. They always make us laugh. My husband and I enjoy hiking and trips to the mainland.
Mary Scott Hamblin, Lead Infant Teacher
Originally from the UK, I recently moved to Orcas from upstate New York after raising my three sons. As a preschool teacher and qualified CNA, I’m passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and explore through play. Having lived in several parts of the world, I bring a broad perspective and a deep love for helping children build confidence and curiosity.
Anie Medina, Assistant Preschool Teacher
Hello, I'm Anie Medina, and I'm an Assistant Preschool Teacher. I focus on creating a safe and loving environment where our children can confidently explore and grow—it's a place I already know well, as both of my sisters attended here! I enjoy supporting their daily routines, encouraging their curiosity, and celebrating the tiny milestones they achieve while gaining independence. I am also bilingual and use Spanish to help Spanish speaking children to transition into our program, as well as supporting Spanish speaking parents communication with the staff.
Paul Nasiatka, Teacher Support, Cook, and Custodian
My wife Alissa and I raised four children, and we enjoyed the variety of their personalities, gifts, talents, and interests. What a super bunch!
I moved here from Ohio in February of 2026. I had worked the past 32 years in Occupational Therapy, serving in a variety of settings. Most of my clinical experience is in Skilled Nursing and Rehab, and more recently in Dementia Care at a Memory Care Assisted Living Community. I am grateful for the experiences I have had over the years working with clients and their loved ones in navigating unfamiliar clinical paths and illness journeys.
I have an interest in helping facilitate our children’s growth and development – in all aspects. It is important to me to provide safe spaces for each child to explore their perceived abilities, and to choose to pursue extensions of those skills. The environment here at Children’s House is ideal for that!
It is easy to see the wonderful examples in our other Children’s House teachers at the Preschool and at the Infant-Toddler Center! They do so much good for the students here at all levels, meeting them where they are socially and developmentally – inviting each child’s self-expression and modeling compassion, kindness, and love of learning. I am grateful to be part of such a skilled, caring team.
And I clean.
Board of Directors
The Children’s House Board of Directors is made up of a group of dedicated parents and community members committed to guiding and supporting OICH’s success. Board members provide strategic direction and oversight to Orcas Island Children’s House and lead it in achieving its mission. Board members play an active role in fundraising, fiscal oversight and strategic planning. In addition, they establish policies and procedures to ensure smooth operation of the organization. If you are interested in joining, or learning more about board service please contact us.
Current Board Members
Bryn Rueb- President
Whitney King - Vice President
Ashley Minnerath - Interim Treasurer
Douglas Rea - Secretary
Alice (Ame) Exton