Teachers and Staff

The Teachers & Staff

Teachers and Staff

The teachers in the classrooms are primarily observers. They watch and know when to assist and when to stay out of the child’s way. The teacher also serves as a catalyst and a facilitator. They are the connecting link between the children and the materials, giving large group, small group, and individual lessons when appropriate. The teacher, at times, plays the role of learner, finding answers to questions they are asked. Using the teacher as a model, the children learn the process of finding information for themselves and thus gain the ability to be independent learners.

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Renee Kok

Head of School

Renee is a native of Washington State, raised and educated in Seattle. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Seattle University. Bringing over 20 years experience in business management, she joined the Voyager staff in 1998. She can hardly believe she gets paid to bring her leadership abilities to an academic environment where so many interesting people appreciate what she does. An eldest child, Renee learned organization and leadership skills early in life in a family of eight children. She and her husband Randy are the proud parents of Voyager alumni Andrew and Ryan. Renee thrives on taking long walks with her friends who share her relentless fascination with the desire to sort out the world. She is a voracious reader, especially of historical fiction and memoirs. An explorer by nature, Renee loves the arts, discovers the history wherever she travels and plans to circumnavigate Bainbridge on a sailboat.

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Doreen Morgan

Senior Elementary Teacher

As the daughter of an Air Force Colonel, Doreen spent her childhood traveling around with her family living in Virginia, Alabama, New Mexico, Nebraska and France, attending one school after another. In high school, she and her classmates took an aptitude test. Doreen’s results showed that she should be a teacher. Interestingly, Doreen totally ignored this indicator and followed her previous college plan, majoring in math with a minor in economics. The next 20 years included careers in federal and local government, large and small business, during which she was an economic analyst, portfolio accountant, management science officer, bank AVP, etc. After several years at home with her two children, she started volunteering in her children’s Montessori classes. Intrigued by what she saw going on behind the scenes, she badgered the teachers and the Head of School for more information and finally went to the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York for elementary 6-9 training. Doreen had finally found her way to the profession that had been foreordained so many years earlier. During the founding of Voyager, Doreen was invited to join the founding staff, an opportunity she seized eagerly. Part of the deal was that she return to New York for 9-12 training. Doreen has been the Senior Elementary teacher at Voyager since its inception.

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Eileen Safford

Senior Elementary Associate Teacher

Born and raised in Seattle, Eileen has made her home on Bainbridge Island with her husband Duane for over 25 years. She holds a BS in Biology and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle University. Eileen commuted to North Seattle to teach mainly middle school science for 13 years before deciding to become a mom. Until her daughter, Emily, graduated from Voyager, Eileen volunteered weekly in the classroom, where she fell in love with teaching again. Since then, Eileen has been the Senior Class Associate Teacher. In her spare time, Eileen enjoys the outdoors through backpacking, skiing and kayaking. Woodworking, computing, neighborhood activism and gnomes keep her busy indoors.

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Anne Willhoit

Junior Elementary Teacher

For as long as anyone can remember, Anne has planned on being a teacher. Her official career began when she graduated from Duquesne University with degrees in Education and Special Education, but it would be five years before she would discover her true calling before she discovered Montessori Education. She taught first and second graders for five years in a traditional school setting, where she also founded and directed a highly enthusiastic after-school drama team for fourth and fifth graders. Eager to explore more student-centered environments, she joined the Montessori education program at Xavier University where she completed her Masters degree in Montessori education. As part of the program, she spent a year as Assistant Teacher in Xavier University's Montessori Lab School. In addition to teaching, her passions include reading, photography, and baking breads. Anne and her husband, Ryan, are overwhelmed by the multitude of opportunities (and scenery) that Washington has to offer - from backpacking and kayaking to theatre and the arts. She loves the Pacific Northwest and the Voyager community.

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Crystal Miyamoto

Junior Elementary Teacher

Crystal was born in Kansas and raised in Missouri, but spent most of her adult life in Colorado. After living and teaching in the Northwest several years ago, Crystal always dreamed of moving back to the “most beautiful area of the United States,” where the enchanted old growth forests beckoned her. She discovered the magic of Bainbridge Island in the spring of 2008, and joined the Voyager staff in July. Crystal has previously taught in a variety of public and private school settings. Her first exposure to Montessori was many years ago when she observed at a Montessori school where her daughter attended Kindergarten. She immediately fell in love with the Montessori teaching philosophy and curriculum and joined the staff as an assistant classroom teacher. In 2001, Crystal was thrilled to begin her formal Montessori teacher elementary 6-9 training at the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies. She taught a 1st -3rd grade class at a fine Montessori school in Castle Rock, Colorado for seven years. In addition to her American Montessori Society (AMS) certification, Crystal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Japanese and psychology. She loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm of the Japanese language and culture with her students! Crystal’s interests include scuba diving, traveling to interesting places and spending time with family and friends. She plans to visit all five of Hawaii’s major islands over the next few years, while her daughter is living and attending college in the “Aloha State!”

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Susan Kelly

Jr. Elementary Assistant Teacher

Susan and her family are native Greater Bostonians. They found their way to Bainbridge Island after many years in Massachusetts, New Jersey and several years in Bermuda. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a management certificate from Regis College. Following careers in graduate education administration and real estate appraisal, a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in her community compelled Susan to pursue teaching. Montessori philosophy was a perfect fit for Susan, and the Voyager community presented a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow. Susan and her husband, Michael, spend much of their time encouraging their daughter and son’s interests and are often found cheering at crew or lacrosse events. Susan’s other interests include reading, exploring the beautiful Northwest, knitting, needlepoint, cooking and keeping in touch with friends and family on the East Coast.Top of page

Kelly O’Brien

Office Manager

Kelly was born in Green Bay, WI, but primarily grew up in Connecticut. She graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University where she majored in Communications. In 1988, Kelly moved to Seattle and joined Turner Broadcasting as the assistant to the Senior Producer for the 1990 Goodwill Games. During her tenure, she worked and met many world-renowned producers, directors and well-known sports figures. She married her wonderful husband Kurt in 1989, and since he was an officer in the United States Coast Guard, they got used to moving every 2-4 years. In fact, during a twelve-year period they made three cross-country moves! After settling in Poulsbo in 1997, Kelly volunteered at a local Montessori preschool, where her daughter attended for three years. Knowing that Montessori would play a significant role in her children’s lives, Kelly joined Voyager in 1999 as a teacher assistant in the Junior Elementary Classroom. In 2004 she transitioned to the position of Office Manager where she assists the Head of School, staff, and parents. Kelly has two children; Thomas, and Makaila, both alumni students of Voyager. In her free time Kelly enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with her family.