Meet the teachers
Alex Spreier (He/Him)
Co-Owner/Director-Step 11 ORO
Koi Spreier (They/Any/All)
Owner/Director-Step 7.5 ORO
I have worked in preschool for nearly 15 years, and during this extensive time, I’ve obtained an incredible wealth of childcare skills that have proven invaluable throughout the years. My first preschool job truly set me up for success by enrolling me in the Oregon Registry Online and since then I’ve been diligently working on increasing my professional knowledge and experience. I have gone through several meaningful training opportunities to get to the level where I am now. As a Teachers Aide, Head Teacher, and Private Nanny, I feel like I have developed a flurry of early childhood development skills that I draw upon to create a unique and engaging teaching style. I have had the privilege of gaining experience working in various educational philosophies, including Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio-Emilia, and Play-based style preschools, and I also intend to home-school my own children to foster a high interest in learning from a young age. I have always had a deep passion for working with children and am truly excited to finally have my dream come true by owning my own educational program! In my spare time (Laughs in teacher voice), I enjoy engaging in creative crafts such as crochet, painting, and gardening. I also love spending time by a body of water, whether it be a peaceful lake, a flowing river, or especially the soothing ocean!
I began my journey working with children during my high school years as a swim instructor, which was both a challenging and rewarding experience. Although it took me many years to fully appreciate its significance, that early job truly set the course for my entire life. After earning my degree in History from the University of Oregon, I returned to the beautiful region of Central Oregon to pursue a Master’s degree in Teaching from OSU-Cascades. I spent seven fulfilling years teaching fourth and fifth grades in the Redmond School District, yet after a period of reflection, I felt it was time for a new adventure. A dear friend kindly offered me a position to manage their after-school program, which naturally evolved into my role as a teacher and eventually led to my position as the Director of REACH’s preschool program in Redmond. After some time, Koi and I made the exciting decision to take our extensive experience in childcare and open our very own preschool. There truly is nothing I love more than engaging with the question “Why?” Instead of simply providing answers to the children, I use the question “Why?” as a launching pad for exploration and deeper learning. By embarking on this journey of discovery together, kids learn that anyone can acquire new knowledge, that making mistakes is a part of the process, and that it is perfectly fine to be wrong. Equipping children with the tools they need to answer their own inquiries fosters the development of critical thinking skills. In my limited spare time (which is a humorous notion considering I am both a teacher and a parent), I enjoy activities such as reading, crocheting, and teaching martial arts.
Alex is not currently working at the preschool except for rare occasions that Koi cannot be present.
Emily Vincent
Head Teacher-ORO Step 1
Emily is a dedicated mother of two and a valued member of our team. She has been working with us for some time and consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, reliability, and a genuine passion for early childhood care. Emily is gentle, patient, and highly attuned to children’s needs, with a natural ability to communicate at their level and make them feel safe, understood, and supported.
In addition to her work in childcare, Emily is a certified hairdresser and, with parent consent, offers haircuts to children in our care. This unique skill allows her to provide an additional layer of comfort and familiarity for children, helping make everyday routines feel relaxed and positive.
Emily is enthusiastic about providing high-quality childcare and brings a warm, lively energy to the classroom each day. She has a wonderful sense of humor and enjoys engaging children through hands-on learning, including simple experiments and exploratory activities that spark curiosity and creativity. She also strongly believes in promoting healthy eating habits and supports children in developing positive relationships with food.
Emily’s caring nature, professionalism, and joyful approach make her a trusted and appreciated presence in our program. She is deeply committed to creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Katie Hanson
Substitute-ORO Step 1
Katie is our newest team member, a mother of two and we are excited to welcome her to our program. She brings a caring, thoughtful approach to childcare and is eager to support children in a kind, patient, and nurturing manner. Katie is especially attentive and conscientious, ensuring that every child feels safe, supported, and well cared for throughout the day.
Katie demonstrates strong diligence when working with our infants, paying close attention to their individual needs and maintaining a calm, responsive presence. She is highly observant and takes great care in monitoring children’s safety, comfort, and well-being at all times. Her attentiveness helps create a secure environment where children can thrive.
In addition to her caregiving strengths, Katie is dependable and consistent when it comes to maintaining cleanliness and organization within the classroom. She understands the importance of a clean, sanitary environment and takes pride in upholding our health and safety standards.
We are very grateful to have Katie as part of our team and appreciate the care and dedication she brings to our program. We look forward to seeing her continue to grow in her role and become an even more familiar, trusted presence throughout the school.