Meet Our Staff
Teacher Kayla
Teacher Kayla has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children for 20 years. Teaching in cooperative preschools, traditional preschools and childcare. Four of her five children attended cooperative preschools, where she was involved as a parent teacher and board member.
Kayla has a passion for children and their learning. She is a nurturing, compassionate, patient and fun teacher. Kayla implements developmentally appropriate curriculum through both child and teacher directed activities to support the whole child's development. Cognitive, social, emotional and physical, through a child's natural work; PLAY. As a mother of a child with special needs, she believe strongly in inclusion and giving every child a place in the classroom and community.
Kayla and her family are longtime residents of Tigard. She loves spending time with her family, reading, being outdoors, and being involved in her children's many activities.
Teacher Madri
Madri has her undergraduate degree from Oregon State University in Family and Consumer Studies, with a Masters in Teaching in Family and Consumer Sciences. Madri holds a certificate for Career and Technical education and she is also a certified Educational Therapist for students 7-18. She has taught child development courses at the college and high school levels and has been a preschool teacher for 16 years. She operated a home child care for six years, and cared for children ages 8 weeks through 6 years old.
Madri believes that preschool is the window of opportunity where children learn lifelong skills. By nurturing a child throughout these years, and providing avenues to success, children can become confident, social, and capable. It is Madri's goal to provide an exciting and enriching experience for every child as they begin preschool. She is excited to foster a love for learning where children feel safe to experiment, explore, and imagine.
Madri has three daughters (ages 17, 14, and 10) who keep her on her toes with evening activities and sports. She loves to travel and take advantage of every family experience possible.
Program Coordinator
Kari Christensen
Kari joined the Creative Hands family in 2019 as a mom/parent-teacher, moving up to Board Secretary, and then Board President. A believer in being involved in your child's education (as a volunteer, parent teacher, etc), Kari has discovered a passion for the co-op model.
Active in her community, Kari currently serves as Co-President of the Northwest Children’s Theatre Alumni Association and is a Board Member of the Friends of the Sherwood Center for the Arts, as well as VP of Programming for the Vocal Summit Chorus. Additionally,
Kari finds great joy as a Volunteer Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon where she has granted the wishes of over 35 children suffering from life threatening illnesses. Prior to starting a family she enjoyed a successful career working in higher education and non-profits.
Kari and her husband have 3 children that keep them busy with activities. As a family they enjoy traveling, camping, boating, fancy meals out, and playing board games. Kari also enjoys reading, and taking in local theatrical productions whenever possible.