Check out this article form WHATCOMTALK about our wonderful staff and their contribution to our programs !
Gabriel Miles
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I grew up in Westchester County, NY and received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and an MS in Art Education from Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. I am WA State certified, K - 12 with an endorsement in Visual Arts. I have taught students in age from preschool through adults, in both the public and private school setting as well as at community centers, non profit organizations, museums and taught art to children, ages 7 – 18, with Down Syndrome and other special needs. I have taught 2-D; mixed media, watercolor, acrylic, pastels, colored pencils, charcoal, printmaking, etc. 3-D; book binding, clay, plaster, mixed media sculptures (recycled materials).
I moved to Bellingham in 2003 with my husband, Joe, and our two dogs. We welcomed our first child in March 2008, she is now in middle school. We love the great outdoors, especially the beaches, hiking and camping and always bringing along a sketchbook or camera. In 2010 I created the toddler art program that was offered at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) which is part of the Whatcom Museum at the Lightcatcher building. In 2012 I opened Gabriel’s Art Kids and I haven't looked back since! I love my school, my students and families and most of all my teachers, all of who help to make GAK what it is! |
Kira Sleveland
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Born and raised in Whatcom County, Kira enjoys spending time with her family.
She has previously worked as a community activist, promoting safety in her local area, and has also served as a dedicated dog foster mom. With a passion for helping others and a strong sense of community, Kira is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those around her. Celebrating five years in June, Kira loves working with families and cherishes the opportunity to assist in the classroom with the kids. Reading stories to the preschool children is her favorite activity, even if she doesn't get to do it very often. |
ECE
Anna Berch-Norton
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Anna is originally from Pittsburgh, PA but moved to Bellingham in 2016 and has not looked back. Her background is in political science, and she spent several years managing and organizing local candidate and issue campaigns.
She became an early childhood teacher as a way to have a more direct, positive impact on her community. She is now in her fifth year teaching preschool, and she absolutely loves getting to introduce children to school as a positive, fun, nurturing space and making sure they have a good experience that they will carry with them into adolescence and adulthood. Anna has completed her Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate and is working on her next state certificate. She is passionate about creating an integrated arts-focused curriculum for all age groups and loves incorporating dance, movement and play whenever possible. Children's literature is a passion of hers as well, and she is always getting excited about new books that help kids think critically, learn and better understand the world around them. Her favorite art activities are ones that allow for open-ended experimentation and exploration. Her favorite types of art to do on her own (and with kiddos when possible) are watercolor, mixed media collage and tie dye. As a neurodivergent teacher, Anna is passionate about working with students as individuals and doing everything she can to help all children not only learn but feel safe and included in the classroom. Outside of work Anna enjoys making art, writing poetry, hiking, enjoying obscure media of all types and spending time with her beloved fiancé, EJ and their very spoiled cat, Hestia. |
Brooke Afshari
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Brooke is a born and raised Bellinghamster whom loves her hometown and all the unique natural features it has to offer. She has aspired to be a teacher since she was a wee one, (and an artist too!) and is now living that dream as a preschool teacher at GAK.
Prior to landing in the preschool room Brooke had been working in childcare since the age of 15 as a nanny, daycare lead, art teacher, and homeschooling pod teacher. During the Covid pandemic Brooke invested herself in the homeschool community, reinvigorating her passion for developing creative child-centered curriculum. As schools reopened she volunteered in classrooms and continued to find ways to help the community heal and restore enriching education to children. Her special loves in education are art, science, and literacy. As an artist, Brooke favors mixed media, collage, and textile art forms. She loves ALL of the color, and utilizing recycled materials as frequently as possible in student projects. Brooke holds a particular fancy for large group cooperative projects. When not at school Brooke is typically found adventuring with her 3 children hiking the lovely local trails, digging at the beach, or tending to her organic hobby farm. Aside from art and kids Brooke loves video games, books, The Office, the color green, silly t-shirts, Thai food, tie-dye, rainbows, and caring for her large houseplant collection. |
Casey Alexander
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Casey is a student at Western Washington University studying art history and creative writing. She's excited to be graduating this coming March! A majority of her childhood was spent in Ferndale, and now she lives in Bellingham with her roommate Sofia and her beloved cat, Moose. She owns wayyyy too many books, studied ballet for 12 years, and her favorite art medium is film photography; specifically working in a dark room mixing chemicals. She also enjoys working with ceramics.
Casey is in her second year teaching preschool at Gabriel's and doing our extended day program. Some of her favorite ways to create with children are making collaborative painting projects and helping kids put into motion their own artistic visions. Casey loves the creativity and positivity that preschoolers bring to the table as well as exploring their new insights and ideas. |
Amanda Do
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Amanda has been involved in the preschool and pre-k environment since 2018.
Amanda holds a degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Woodring College of Education and takes great joy in being in the classroom. Amanda values the freedom of expression and relishes the opportunity to explore art, all while nurturing the educational growth of the children. |
Ryleigh Stover
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Ryleigh is a Snohomish county gal who moved north in 2020 to pursue a Bachelor's in Psychology at Western with a career in elementary school counseling as her goal.
Since moving, she has taken many opportunities to work with youth through nannying, mentoring in multiple classrooms at Mary Purcell Elementary, and teaching at summer camps. During these golden chances to work with youth both in the home and the classroom, a strong appreciation for creative teaching that prioritizes expressing delight in the individual child solidified! It's a joy to have that framework continued at Gabriel's with the additional opportunities to integrate her love of art. When away from the classroom, Ryleigh loves to cook, read, and indulge in films from Hollywood's golden era with rotating craft in hand. |
Howard Wielandt
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Howard Wielandt is originally from Whidbey Island but moved to Bellingham after high school. After residing in Montana for the past two years, he is settling back into life in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). He can most likely be found in the kitchen, cooking with his fiancé, or taking pictures at the Marine Life Center. You can see Howard's photographic work at Tumblr.
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