All Odyssey Educators are CPR & First Aid certified, food handler certified, have taken child abuse & neglect awareness classes and 
are registered in Oregon’s child care division’s criminal history database.

Tara Clark, MSW - “Miss Tara”, Owner & Executive Director

Tara Clark, operates from evidence-based practice, research, practice wisdom and personal experience. Odyssey Preschool focuses on the whole child and thus, believes in a holistic approach, delivering methods from early childhood education, psychology & social work best practices. 

Tara has a special interest in empowering women, parents & children and an invested interest in empowering our military families. She is a mother of two and a military spouse of 14 years with her husband currently serving in the Marine Corps as a Career Recruiter. Tara received her AA in Arts & Sciences in 2004. After working in administration for several years, Tara returned to school to pursue her passion for helping others and graduated in 2011 with her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from George Fox University. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) with the University of New England December 2013. Tara’s studies have included a focus on environmental influences on human development & behavior, psychology, childhood attachment theories, trauma and military culture.

Tara has experience working in both a preschool and daycare environment, mentoring at-risk youth with Sherwood’s Willamette School House, working with and assessing children and older adults with physical and/or mental disabilities, matching volunteers with children & older adults, starting mother’s of infant/toddler support & play groups, spending time with Portland’s homeless, working as a county mental health assistant providing case management, screenings and leading A/D & wellness groups, volunteering within Marine Corps family readiness as an assistant & advisor to the Marine Corps Recruiting station Portland’s Commanding Officer, founding a non-profit empowering our Nation’s military families residing in Oregon, working as a Vet Center trauma and PTSD readjustment counselor providing therapy & crises intervention to our military’s Combat Veterans, volunteering within the Clark’s residing churches, sponsoring a Rwandan child through African New Life Ministries, educating, building community relations, providing preventative care and advocating for the vulnerable and promoting community change. Tara has attended several trainings, which have included family readiness, life skills, preschool, developmental disability, operational stress, trauma, suicide prevention and customer service.

In addition to providing excellent care to her preschool’s children, Tara hopes to facilitate awareness, discussion and action within her community to raise standards of excellence in education and providing safe & nurturing environments for the communities’ children. She believes building community relationships will produce resilient, strong, culture & diversity aware, smart and caring children residing in Oregon. Tara opened Odyssey Preschool in May of 2014. The Marine Corps unexpectedly relocated the Clark family to the San Diego CA area in March 2015. Tara realizes the need for quality care outside the Portland area remains and has committed to keeping Odyssey Preschool open for years to come! Two additional schools have been open since!

Tara loves positively impacting children, gardening, nature, traveling, photography, cooking, art, interior decorating & creating.

Makayla Fitchett, "Miss Makayla", Director 

Welcome Maykayla! Makayla graduated with her Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) from George Fox University in April 2017 and is completes her Masters in Social Work at GFU in April of 2018. Makayla was born and raised in Pasco Washington. She is one of three siblings. Makayla has several years experience volunteering in the community, babysitting, nannying and has had the pleasure of working with children with intellectual & developmental disabilities at the Arc of Tri-cities. She has also worked as a school social worker at an Oregon elementary school. In addition, she has interned and worked at Odyssey Preschool since summer 2016. Makayla’s future interest is working as a child's play therapist and having a private practice. She has a passion for working with children as they give her great joy. She is very excited to be part of the Odyssey Preschool educator team engaging the preschool children in their growth and development. 

Makayla loves flying kites, animals, crafts, inspriring children, going to the beach, shopping, and meeting new people. 

Joceli Quintanilla, "Miss", Foundational Preschool Time Educator

 Welcome Joceli! Joceli was born and raised in Oregon. Joceli is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English and is enrolled at Portland Community College and hopes to major in Child Psychology or Early Childhood Education. Being passionate about working with children, she has taken may Child Development classes. Joceli has experience working in a high school preschool program and also as a teacher assistant at Byron Elementary for a Kindergarten class. Joceli’s eagerness to see what children will teach her and what she can bring to Odyssey Preschool is exciting.

Joceli enjoys taking her dog for walks, watching movies, camping, rafting, spending quality time with family, and taking care of her younger cousin.

Sini Mullins, "Miss Sini", Advanced Preschool Time Educator

​​Welcome Sini! Sini is born and raised in Finland. Sini came to the United Stated in 2007 as an AuPair. After finishing two years as an AuPair, she met her husband and moved to Oregon in 2010. Sini has experience working with children in daycare, as a nanny, as a riding instructor, as a teacher teaching Finish at the Portland Finnish School and as a mom to a preschooler. Sini is working toward her Early Childhood Education and Family Studies AAS degree. Sini loves working with the Reggio Emilia Approach at Odyssey Preschool.
 
Sini enjoys training horses, making crafts with her daughter and getting out for adventures with her family. 

Amanda Schmaltz, "Miss Amanda", Foundational Preschool Time Licensed Educator

Welcome Amanda! Amanda was born and raised in Oregon where she has gained an immense love for nature and going on outdoor adventures. Amanda graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Educational Psychology from Western Oregon University in June of 2017. In her time at Western, she worked with middle school through college students as a teaching assistant and mentor for at-risk youth. Her passion for younger children was sparked when she met her long-term boyfriend’s daughter and instantly fell in love with her as well as her zeal for learning and exploring the world. She feels there is something indescribably invigorating about helping a child to learn and grow in all aspects of life. Through her work with adolescents, understanding the positive impact of early intervention for a child’s future, Amanda is inspired to work to enhance the lives of children by offering them support, compassion and education in any way that she can. She takes pride in implementing this at Odyssey Preschool.
 
Amanda loves hiking, road trips, concerts of all genres, reading, dogs, and spending quality time with her incredible family.

Jaimie Glass - “Miss Jaime”, Advanced Preschool Time Educator

Welcome Jaimie! Jaimie grew up in a small town in Northeast Iowa. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Elementary with Early Childhood Education, a minor in Psychology and Reading Instruction and a certificate in Child Advocacy from Winona State University in December 2016. Jaimie moved to Oregon to complete her student teaching. Jaimie has multiple years looking after children. Jaime has experience working with toddlers to 5th grade students as a student teacher as well as a nanny. She also has over five years of experience as a caregiver for older adults and adults with disabilities. She is very loving, patient, and thoroughly enjoys working with children and is the reason she became a teacher. Every day is new and different and it’s amazing watching a child learn, grow and develop as an individual person.
​
Jaimie loves playing with her two cats Warren and Rose, reading, traveling, painting, being outdoors, cooking, and talking with family.

Amanda Jones - "Miss Amanda”, Preschool Time Afternoon Educator

Welcome Amanda! Amanda was born and raised in Oregon. Amanda is currently as student at Portland Community College. Over the years she has worked as a nanny to preschool through elementary school aged kids and also as a camp councilor in New Mexico and Lake Tahoe. She has a passion for kids in foster care and she hopes to become a Social Worker Assistant/Case Aid. Amanda has a heart for all ages but particularly loves being with younger kids and is inspired by their love for life. She loves working with kids because it never feels like work with the fun energy the kids bring every day. Amanda is excited to spend time learning and growing with the students at Odyssey.
 
Amanda enjoys kayaking, hiking, reading, baking, learning about health and nutrition, and spending time with friends and family. 

Katie Wagner, "Miss Katie", Substitute Educator

​Welcome Katie! Katie was raised on a small ranch in Eastern Oregon with three sisters and one brother. Riding horses and feeding chickens was a daily routine during her childhood. Growing up on a farm not only taught her practical life lessons and a good work ethic, but her farmhouse was the place of her formal education till the eighth grade. It was through her home-school experience that she recognized the importance of family in the process of every child's education and development. Currently, Katie is a senior at George Fox University where she is majoring in social work. Katie has been with Odyssey Preschool in the capacity of both an intern and a teacher since fall 2016. We are thankful to have her stay on as a substitute! Katie’s joy stems from working, playing and educating young children. Katie’s passion is to assist children and their families through a child's learning and development.
 
Katie loves to ride horses, ice skate, paint and spending time both outdoors and with family, especially her nieces and nephews.

Emily Pelot, "Miss Emily", Substitute Educator

Welcome Emily! Emily was born and raised in Oregon and has greatly enjoyed growing up in the Pacific North West. Emily graduated with her Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) from George Fox University in April of 2017. Over the years, she has had many diverse experiences working with children varying in age from 6 months to 18 years as a camp counselor, nanny, a trauma relief nursery assistant teacher and full time teacher with Odyssey Preschool. Emily discovered her love for students with special needs and currently works at Northwest Services early intervention. Emily has discovered her passion to work with young children as they bring to light a unique sense of excitement and joy to life. She feels that each child deserves to know they are loved, appreciated, and have the opportunity to grow and learn in a safe environment. 
 
Emily enjoys fueling herself with lots of coffee, going to the theatre, helping children grow, hiking, reading, swinging in a hammock, and traveling with her friends and family.
 

Dalia Rocha, "Miss Dalia", Substitute Educator

Welcome Dalia! Dalia was born and raised in Oregon. Dalia is joining our team with a passion in her heart to make a difference in young children’s lives. Dalia comes to us with both customer service experience working at Apple and unique experiences in child care. Dalia’s experience in childcare consists of babysitting & nanny work, mentoring middle school age children though the Intercambio program providing life skills, moral support, tutoring & positive activities and more recently with Metzger Elementary’s dual language kindergarten class as a teacher’s assistant. In addition, Dalia is bilingual, Spanish/English. Dalia joined Odyssey Preschool in 2015 working full time for 3.5 yrs and with a lot of enthusiasm and positive energy she continues to facilitate children’s growth currently as substitute.
 
Dalia loves children, hiking, going to the beach, cooking, photography, arts & crafts and watching soccer. 

Misty Yu, "Miss Misty", Substitute Educator

​Welcome Misty! Misty is born and raised in China, Beijing. Misty is bilingual, speaking both Chinese and English. She graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with an Industrial Design degree in 2016 and graduated with a degree in Animation Design in 2011. Misty has a lot of experience working with kids of different ages. She also an after school program teacher, teaching LEGO Robotics and Art classes with Hope Chinese Charter School, Oregon Episcopal School and Riverdale Grade School. She is very excited to be part of the Odyssey Preschool Substitute teaching staff, looks forward to making friends and being creative with students.
 
Misty loves animals, crafts and painting.

Lori, "Miss  Lori", Substitute Educator

Lori grew up in central California with two sisters. She received a BA in Education with a Special Education minor from Dordt College, Iowa, in 1985. After marrying her college sweetheart, Don, they moved to the Bay Area where she taught 2nd Grade at San Jose Christian School for five years.
Don and Lori have four adult children. Lori home-schooled all four children in their early years. Lori loves to teach young children and often led them in musicals, Sunday school and VBS programs at their church. She admires the Reggio Emilia style of teaching that Odyssey offers - imaginative play and hands-on learning. This was how she taught her little ones. Lori and her husband have resided in Oregon for over 25 years now. Their children are in the fields of teaching, web design and athletics (decathlete).
​
Lori enjoys riding tandem with her husband, fitness with friends, spending time with grandchildren and co-leading women’s bible studies. 

Anna Crosswhite, “Miss Anna”, BSW George Fox University Intern

Welcome Anna! Anna was raised in Tigard, Oregon and is the youngest of three children. Throughout childhood until sophomore year in high school, Anna played soccer. She played four years of competitive soccer and traveled to California, Washington, and Las Vegas for tournaments. During high school, Anna had the opportunity to take child development 1 and 2 at Tigard High School and worked with two different ages of preschool. She also worked at the daycare specifically for teachers at Tigard and a local gym within their Kids Club. Her love for children and desire to work with children stems from the opportunities she received in high school to work with children. Anna currently attends George Fox University as a Senior and graduate in the spring of 2018 with a Bachelor of Social Work. She is passionate about helping and serving others, which led her to the field of social work with the intention of working with children.
 
Anna loves to hike, run, play soccer, read, travel and snuggle with dogs.

Molly Penalver, “Miss Molly”, George Fox University BSW Intern

​Welcome Molly! Molly grew up in Chino, CA and spent many weekends as a child at the beach, Disneyland, and hiking! Molly moved to Oregon to attend George Fox University where she is currently a junior in the Social Work bachelors program. Molly has always had a passion to work with children and began exploring her heart for children at a young age by volunteering with preschoolers during Sunday School, working at Vacation Bible School, volunteering at church sports camps and summer day camps, tutoring and babysitting for various families. Molly believes that it is vital for all children to be shown love and be given positive affirmation. Molly is excited to grow in her knowledge of educating, working with and understanding young children along with incorporating what she learns in the college classroom to the classroom environment at Odyssey Preschool.
 
Molly loves to spend her free time hiking, reading, running, traveling and creating new memories with her friends and family.

Christian Hughes, “Mr Christian”, BSW George Fox University Intern

Welcome Christian! Christian is originally from Tillamook, Oregon but spent the majority of his life in St. Helens, Oregon. Christian is joining us as a Social Work intern from George Fox University as a junior.
Christian is passionate about helping people overcome challenges and obstacles in order to achieve their goals and enjoys watching people grow as they do so. He is excited about forming community in the Odyssey Preschool classrooms. He is anxious to be a part of how Odyssey creates an environment where students can build relationships and become passionate about learning at a young age. Christian works as a campus resident assistant and is excited to offer his experience in the areas of relational growth, community formation, leadership, and conflict management.
 
Christian is also passionate about hiking, stargazing, hammocking, photography, track and field, and spending time with friends.

Sander Sy, “Mr. Sander”, George Fox University BSW Intern

​Welcome Sander! Sander was born in the Philippines and moved to Oregon when he was eight years old. Sander is currently attending GFU as a sophmore pursuing a major in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. Sander has tutored kids in Kumon at a math and reading center and taught as an instructor in taekwondo as well as swimming lessons. Sander is bilingual in English and Tagalog. Sander is very excited to partner with the students and their families while interning at Odyssey Preschool.
 
Sander enjoys reading, hiking, hammocking and drinking coffee.

Meet the entire Clark family!

The Clark family welcomes you to Odyssey, their in-home Preschools! 
The Clark's enjoy spending time with each-other, traveling, good food, music, their community, cool parks, farms, camping, snowboarding, boating, the sunshine, the beach, hosting friends into their home, their church, family, holidays, learning about different cultures, art, gardening, golf, karate, dancing, tinkering, Home Depot, legos, checking out new library books, princesses, tea parties, Star Wars, minecraft, essential oils, learning new things, being American patriots and lots of adventures. The Clark family currently resides in the San Diego area of CA.