Our Team

Co-owner, Director and Pedagogista

Hi, I’m Chelsea, an early educator of over 13 years in Spokane. My passion for lifelong learning and the Reggio approach evolved from studying brain science, fine arts, and child development. My practicum at Blueprints for Learning fueled my passion, where I worked in their preschool program for 5 years. As a North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) member, I attend conferences in big cities, exploring and being inspired by schools with research-driven, family-centric spaces. I am passionate about neurobiology that describes how the brain's architecture guides children's growth and development as well as weaving the artistic languages into our program to support their cognitive growth, explore new perspectives and develop their unique voice. The Nest Community School began as one dream weaved with another. I imagined building a beautiful school where my passion for children's rights, neurobiology and the Reggio approach could flourish and most importantly, where my son, Arthur, could thrive. That dream wove together with Heather's hopes for a community center that would end the isolation of parenting, and build a community of support. As the Nest Community School has grown, so has our advocacy for teachers, we believe that a school can only be a good place for children if it is also a good place for teachers. When I'm not wearing the many hats of my many roles, I find creative outlets in watercolor painting, crochet and digital art, exploring the outdoors and cozying up with a board game with my husband David and our two sons: Arthur and Arlo.