Administrative Staff
Shannon Nagy
She/Her
Executive Director
Year started at Hutch Kids: 2018
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? For over twenty years, I have been an early childhood professional with experiences in classroom teaching, program administration and consultation, adult education and professional presentations. I hold a Master’s in Education in Early Childhood Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
How do you want the children and families of Hutch Kids to feel about the program? Hutch Kids is a unique early learning center, dedicated to serving the families of our partners and the greater South Lake Union area. It is this partnership and proximity that strengthens the relationships between staff and families and between children and parents. I am proud to be a part of this community of families and a dynamic staff of dedicated teachers and staff who everyday strive to do their best in supporting the children and families in their care by providing high quality care and educational experiences. I want the children and families to feel strongly connected to this community and that there is a place for each of them to receive the very best early childhood educational experience for their family.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? Waking up without an alarm, greeted by the sun, followed by a long walk for coffee and a pastry that ends along the shore in Lincoln Park.
Shawna Rengli
She/Her
Assistant Director
Year started at Hutch Kids: July 2005
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I earned my BA in Poetry and Gender & Race Studies from The Evergreen State College. After teaching infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for many years, I returned to school and earned my M.Ed. in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.
How do you want children to feel in the classrooms at Hutch Kids? I aspire to support teachers in creating classroom environments and relationships that support, nurture, and challenge each child to grow into a compassionate, community-minded, critical thinker who can advocate for themselves and those around them. My office is a safe space where children can come chat, read a book or get a piece of rainbow tape whenever they need.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? My best Saturday morning is drinking an iced mocha, reading on a blanket and swimming in the sunshine with my daughters, Odessa and Tallulah.
Jessica Higinbotham
She/Her
Curriculum Coordinator
Year started at Hutch Kids: 2008
Favorite/Touchstone quote? “Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have worked in the early childhood education field for over 20 years. I currently hold a BAS in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College.
How do you want children to feel in your classroom? My hope is that when children enter our classroom they feel welcome, represented, understood, supported, and safe. I want them to feel that our space is a secure environment where they can take risks, accept challenges, and make mistakes. I like to provide a space that encourages children to express and explore their natural curiosities and offers them a place for them to display their learning and development.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? My best Saturday morning looks like waking up naturally, without the blaring sounds of cell phone alarms, then snuggling into my fiancé’s arms. A delicious homemade breakfast comes next, usually consisting of a healthy serving of biscuits and gravy. Then, after the required “settling of the food” occurs, it’s on to facing the day’s tasks. A nice slow start on Saturday mornings really sets the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Hiawatha Davis
He/Him/His
Equity & Inclusion Manager
Year started at Hutch Kids: 2020
Favorite/Touchstone quote: “The purpose of education, finally, is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions, to say to himself this is black or this is white, to decide for himself whether there is a God in heaven or not. To ask questions of the universe, and then learn to live with those questions, is the way he achieves his own identity. But no society is really anxious to have that kind of person around.” – James Baldwin
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? Received BA in Africana Studies w/ History (minor) from Pitzer College. MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Critical Pedagogy from UC Denver. Served two years in the Teach For America Corps (Denver, CO). Served 3 years as Lead Preschool Teacher. Facilitated various conversations on Race, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, my life experiences inform my ability to perform this role.
How do you want children to feel in the classrooms at Hutch Kids? I want every student to feel unconditionally loved. I want them to know that no matter where they come from, who they choose to be, or what they decide to do, they will be loved.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? On my best Saturday morning, I am sleeping in, not having to wake up to the sound of my alarm clock. After I wake, I go for a morning run, then eat a bowl of sugary cereal (usually Honey O’s) as I watch my favorite television show (Atlanta).
Tanya Leah Thomas
Human Resource & Business Coordinator
Year started at Hutch Kids: 2005
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have been working at Hutch Kids since 2005. I have earned my state certificate in early childhood education. I have been devoted to this field for many years and truly enjoyed building great relationships with you and your children. I’m delighted to be working at a center that reflects my personal values and philosophies. As I step into my new role at Hutch Kids it will be my great pleasure to have the opportunity to interact with all of the families and children at Hutch Kids.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? Sitting in my comfy chair that sits by the window with my cup of coffee and watching the neighborhood come alive with daily activities.
Amanda
She/Her
Bookkeeping & Classroom Support Staff
Year started at Hutch Kids: July 2015
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position? I have been working with children since 2001 when I first started working in a daycare while I was a senior in High School. I quickly moved into a teaching position and have spent many years working in classrooms, and as a personal nanny. I honed my natural teaching skills over the years, also earning my CDA, and initial teaching certification for Washington State through Bates Technical College.
How do you want children to feel in the classrooms at Hutch Kids? Seen, valued, encouraged and inspired.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? As an introvert, I love to be up with the sun for an early morning walk before it gets crowded. My go-to route takes me along the water to my favorite bakery (Fuji Bakery on Elliott Ave) where I get amazing pastries (like their ube malasada) and pick up an egg sando for lunch. Then after a nice long urban hike around the city, I love relaxing at home with various arts and crafts or baking projects.
Teresa Roe
Kitchen Manager
Year started at Hutch Kids: 2011
How do you want children to feel at Hutch Kids? I want them to feel fed and safe.
What’s your best Saturday morning look like? On the porch with a cup of coffee and my wife.