Meet our Team

Angela has over 14 years of experience working in preschool and toddler classrooms. She worked for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Asante Child Development Services in Oregon, as a Behavioral Associate working with children with Autism. She then went on to open her own preschool which she ran for three years before relocating to Maui. She has also spent several months volunteering with special needs children in Mexico and attended Rogue Community College to study early childhood education.

Kristi is one of our upcountry teachers with a passion for working with children. She has worked and volunteered for over 10 years in several settings and many capacities which include the Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Experimental Education Unit at University of Washington, and five public schools. Her most indelible contribution to the education community so far, creating a tutoring program that connected hundreds of students from kindergarten to twelfth grade with undergraduate university volunteers to improve their reading skills and enhance their overall academic performance. She is excited after a long time away working in retail management in Maui to be back working with kids again.

Amy brings over six years of experience working in Maui elementary schools with special needs students. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a certified Montessori teacher through the North American Montessori Center. With three years of Montessori teaching experience, Amy is passionate about fostering a love of learning in her students. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, baking, traveling, reading, and skiing. She is also a proud mother of two grown sons and shares her home with four beloved dogs.

Brooke has always had a passion for working with children, starting as a babysitter in her teens and continuing as a nanny through college. She earned a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability of Aquatic Systems, blending her love for nature with education. Her experience includes assisting and later teaching at a private school in Los Angeles for children with learning differences, as well as leading outdoor education trips for kids during school breaks—her favorite being a week-long canoeing adventure down the Colorado River with 50 students. After moving to Maui, Brooke worked at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, running their outreach program, leading school groups, and managing volunteers. She later worked as a paraprofessional in autism classrooms until the COVID lockdown. 

Nicole has over 20 years of education and child care experience. She has a Bachelors of Art in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Masters of Art Therapy from La Trobe University in Melbourne, AU. She has worked as an art therapist, taught gifted and special education programs, and helped develop enrichment curriculums for public and private schools as well as community centers in The United States and Australia. 

Livia is originally from Brazil, where she began teaching English to children at a young age. At 18, she moved to Tennessee as an au pair, caring for twin toddlers while studying education. Her passion for early childhood development grew as she worked with Montessori programs in Utah and later expanded her experience in Maine, where she introduced Spanish, yoga, and cultural enrichment to preschool classrooms and gained experience with infants.

She continued working with infants and toddlers in Nevada before moving to Hawaii, where she now lives with her family. With years of hands-on experience, Livia brings warmth, creativity, and dedication to her work, sharing that “working with children brings me joy in a way that fulfills me deeply.”

​Alyce has always found joy in watching young children explore the world and grow. She began babysitting at just eleven years old and later became a full-time nanny, initially caring for her two-year-old cousins. Within the first year, she was looking after all four siblings, crafting, singing, dancing, and playing with them for five wonderful years—an experience she calls her favorite job ever. Now a mostly stay-at-home mother to one, she’s excited to join the team at Makawao Drop-In, knowing firsthand how important it is for caregivers to have time for themselves—and how valuable it is for children to engage with other kids and trusted adults in a nurturing environment. Alyce holds degrees in Fashion Design, Anthropology, and Children’s Book Writing, and brings creativity, curiosity, and care to everything she does.

Alisha has been married to the love of her life for almost a decade. She is a proud mother and a passionate ballet enthusiast—both as a dancer and as someone who loves sharing its beauty with the keiki. Her love for adventure and travel has shaped her journey, bringing rich experiences and perspectives to her work. With over two decades of experience working with children, Alisha finds joy in inspiring and guiding young minds, helping them grow with confidence and creativity.

Kendall is a dedicated straight-A student with her sights set on Yale University. She has a passion for working with children of all ages, especially engaging with them through imaginative play. Currently, she is earning her associate degree in Business through Maui Community College while also balancing her love for mentorship and community service. As a volunteer mentor with Nalu Studies, Kendall enjoys giving back and inspiring young minds. For her junior project in high school, she founded her own tutoring nonprofit, demonstrating her commitment to education and leadership. In her free time, she loves participating in aerial silks, combining strength and creativity in a unique way.