Mrs. Desirae

Owner and Director
Since starting the program in early 2010, I am delighted at what The Treehouse Nursery has become! I absolutely adore working in a place where I get to love and be loved by such beautiful children,  where I am surrounded by supportive families and energetic teachers. I want The Treehouse to be a place where love, creativity, and freedom are cultivated in order to nurture strong, creative, free, and holistic beings. I have deep passions for creativity, the earth, community, learning and have found that The Treehouse is a perfect place for me to engage in all!

I am licensed through the state of Oregon as a Certified Family Child Care Provider and am currently a step 7.5 on the Oregon Registry: Pathways for Professional Recognition in Childhood Care and Education. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Vanguard University of Southern California. As I have taught in a varity of setttings over the years some of them include; teaching English to kindergartners in Cambodia and France, working in preschool/child development programs, and a tutouring center.

Miss Rachel

Art Teacher and Co-teacher

I am so happy to be joining The Treehouse family.  In my first circle time at school we shot off to the moon and I was captivated by the imagination and energy I saw in every smiling face.  I am a believer that with open ended toys and spaces our minds will travel to the edges of our imagination and back.  A great place to stretch and explore the imagination is through art and I encourage all the kids at The Treehouse to use paintbrushes to paint their thoughts, lives and dreams.

I graduated from Pitzer College in neuroscience with a strong interest in neurodevelopment.  I am fascinated by the way are minds grow, and how we begin and continue to use our bodies efficiently.  I have tutored students in both Spanish and English in many different subjects at Valley Dale school and H.E.R.O in Claremont, California.  I have also taught campers at Art Adventures, a summer art camp at OCAC.  I am so excited to be with these bright smiling faces every day!

Miss Nicole

 Kitchen Manager
I am an enthusiastic mom of Ethan! I am a yoga teacher, avid amateur chef, health-nut, hapless gardener, messy art-maker, and a lover of story-telling and imaginative play. I am currently a student of experiential psychotherapy, and bring a lot of concern for the psychological and social development of toddlers and preschoolers. Also, I am particularly interested in providing an environment where children feel safe and welcome enough to explore their innate freedom and creativity. I find myself being inspired by the wild, spontaneous, silly, wise and compassionate children at Treehouse every day, and feel honored to spend my days with them.

Miss Pam

Lead Teacher

I am so excited o be here at The Treehouse Nursery as the Art Teacher. What a treasure  to find such a warm, loving and inviting school that embraces all the languages of children from cooking to puppet shows to art. I love how all the materials are made from scratch so the children gain awareness and appreciation for their food and supplies. As the Art Teacher, I value the process of creation. When a child is totally involved in the entirety of a project, they master a skill are free to be creative and gain more confidence while doing so. Messy art projects, tactile textures, sensory experiences are what its about in the Art room. I have a B.A in Psychology and Art and have been teaching for 8 years in Preschools in Massachusetts and San Diego. I love to be outdoors, dancing to live music, painting and making collages!

Mr. Garrett

Co-Teacher
I began teaching at The Treehouse Nursery in April 2010 after resigning from the Portland Rescue Mission. There since 2007, I served many of Portland's homeless and addicted families and individuals at night. I am a Christ follower, published author, recording artist and performance poet, a tap student, culinary artist, and collaborative art event host. I am an enthusiast of music, film, travel, wilderness, gardening, and dining. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my interests to The Treehouse and am excited to be a nurturing support and friend to these beautiful geniuses and their parents.

     Portland is a truly amazing city. I moved here in January of 2011after graduating college in Texas, and
     have had many fun adventures so far. It is a great privilege to now be a part of the Treehouse

     Nursery.  I am looking forward to having some grand adventures here, too!

     I studied art- specifically photography- in college, and while I was in school, I worked many jobs in food
     service, as well as childcare. Why not combine the two passions? I’ve been a vegetarian (with the
     occasional bouts of pescatarianism) for a little over 6 years, and try my best to eat healthy and grow my
     own food. Bringing a love for cooking, gardening, teaching and the Little Ones, I am excited for the  
     wonderful days thay lay ahead!