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.

Makayla Fitchett, "Miss Makayla", MSW, Director 

Welcome Maykayla! Makayla graduated with her Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) from George Fox University in April 2017 and graduated with 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. 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", Circle 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.

Ashley Jones, "Miss Ashley", Preschool Time Educator

​Welcome Miss Ashley! Ashley was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado and recently move to the Pacific Northwest in August of 2017. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Her past experiences include several years of babysitting, teaching preschool to 3-5 year olds, and being a full-time nanny for the last three years. Ashley’s future interests are to pursue a directing role in a childcare setting and eventually open a Family Child Care in the Portland area. She is very excited to become part of the Odyssey team!
 
“It is such a wonderful privilege to be even just a small part of a child’s growth-this is an opportunity I greatly appreciate and I cant wait to meet and connect with the children and families of the Odyssey community.”
 
Ashley loves crafting, painting, reading, planning events, and spending time with her loved ones. 

Amanda Schmaltz, "Miss Amanda", Foundational Preschool Time 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.

Amber Soler - "Miss Amber", Preschool Time Afternoon Educator

Welcome Amber! Amber was born and raised in Oregon. She is currently completing her Early Childhood Education Associates Degree at Clackamas Community College and interning with Odyssey Preschool. Amber has a passion for play-based learning and encouraging children to explore the world around them. She has been involved in childcare for the last 12 years with experience babysitting, working in daycares and preschools. She is anxious to be on the Odyssey Preschool team to challenge her to expand her knowledge from an excelling preschool environment and to engage with this specific developmental age's growth process.

Amber loves spending time with her family and three dogs, being with her friends, enjoying her hobby of online clothing consignment, and traveling. 

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.
 

Haley Wagy, "Miss Haley", Substitute Educator

​Welcome Haley! Haley has been raised in the Northwest all her life. She is currently a student at George Fox University studying social work, in hopes of one day using her major to pursue her passion of working with children. Over the years, she has enjoyed spending time with kids through Sunday school classes, tutoring, babysitting, volunteering and in elementary schools! Haley’s love for children comes from their lively and adventurous personalities! She is excited to be on the Odyssey Preschool team and always looks forward to spending time with the students as a substitute teacher!

Haley loves kids, listening to music, sunny weather, crafts and spending time with friends and family!

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.

Amanda Jones - "Miss Amanda”, Substitue 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.