Our Teachers

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Director and Lead Teacher

Though born and raised in Kansas,
Nicolette spent several years working as a park ranger for multiple National Parks across the country including Rocky Mountain (CO), Denali (AK), Shenandoah (VA), Saguaro (AZ), Big Cypress (FL), and Glen Canyon (UT and AZ). 

She has also worked as a wildland firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, dogsled guide and kennels manager, classroom teacher, nanny, outdoor preschool teacher, Montessori teacher and costumed balloon delivery girl...among other things.

She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Lawrence University and has over twelve years experience teaching in outdoor classrooms and has researched, developed, and implemented preschool and elementary curriculum that meets state and national standards. 

She continues to consult and create curriculum projects for the University of Washington. As a teacher, she loves getting to know new people, helping them feel at home in nature, and hearing the jokes that her students make up. Her passions include researching play therapy, neurodiversity, and artistic expression.

Coco Klein (she/her) is a recent graduate of UW’s Community & Environmental Planning Program and is a passionate believer in the power of simple skills and supportive spaces to empower kids to learn to care for themselves and others. 

After summers as a camp counselor in the San Juan Islands and years of home-based childcare she is excited to join the Chrysalis team! In her free time she is an avid reader, gardener, independent movie theater attendee, and explorer of the many parks, lakes, and bike trails of Seattle.

Teacher

Sam grew up in New York and has spent the last few years working toward her B.A. in Philosophy and Environmental Literature at Colby College in Maine. She moved to Seattle very recently and has been loving it so far! She spends her weekends climbing, hiking, and getting to know the city. She also plays the banjo and guitar and loves creating music with students. 

Before joining our school, Sam worked at multiple daycare and camp programs in New England for five years and volunteered with elementary students across Maine for three. She is also certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR (adult and child) and loves leading outdoor education trips. 

Her favorite part of working with kids is celebrating their curiosity and excitement for life, as she gets to share in this joy everyday at work. This, combined with her love for being outdoors, has made her time at with our friends at Chrysalis a dream come true!

Teacher

My name is Alma! I enjoy the beach on a hot sunny day, going on walks and hanging out with my two cats! I speak two languages Spanish and English. I have been working with children for 6+ years as nanny and 1.5 years volunteering as a Bible school teacher. I enjoy helping children grow into the little humans that they are meant to be! I love seeing kids flourish in different areas whether it's in outdoor activities, trying something new, or even in a creative aspect. I am always willing to guide them and be the friend/teacher that they need.

May Wiggins (They/Them) is a Seattle transplant from Flagstaff, AZ where they were a student, educator, and bike mechanic. Here, they are excited to continue their commitment to early childhood education at Chrysalis and their position at the Pacific Science Center. 

May's teaching background is based on formal education and various teaching experiences including leading environmental education programs with Arizona Audubon and the Flagstaff Unified School District. 

May likes all things nature but especially loves ornithology, ecology, and mycology, and is always excited to share their knowledge.