About us
Kitsap Life Academy saw a need to support families who want to truly prepare their children for life. With the goal of combining outdoor education, Montessori, learning through experience, connecting to the land and hands on lessons we come together to provide alternatives for homeschool families across Kitsap County.
Our academy is a homeschool enrichment program. It’s a bit more than a one day a week co-op and a bit less than full time private school.
Our Mission
KLA cultivates resilience, academic, social, and life skills through direct experience, inquiry, and collaboration on the farm.
Our Vision
Our vision is that students leave with an ingrained sense of curiosity, wonder and a lasting reverence for community and the natural world.
“When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their true strength.”
— Maria Montessori
Staff
Ali Pepper
Director & Seedlings Lead Guide (1st-2nd Grade)
Ali has been a Montessori teacher and parent for over 10 years. She has a background in fine art, a passion for teaching children about the beautiful Pacific Northwest and enjoys singing with children to the tune of her ukulele. Ali is always excited to grow, learn and discover. She carries this enthusiasm into her teaching practice.
Early foundations of learning and play are a crucial part of childhood developmental. Ali enjoys helping children with early math and language skills through fun activities that leave children empowered and ready for more. Ali hopes to inspire wonder in your children as they will for her.
Bryanna Gomez
Saplings Lead Guide (3rd-5th) & Assistant Director
Bryanna has experience working with children since 2010. She has a background in Montessori, gross- motor skill development programs and a bit of outdoor experience learning. Her passion is helping children develop their whole self. She believes that the role of an educator is to provide children with the knowledge and tools needed to develop their whole selves into kind, independent and confident human beings. Outside of child development, Bryanna enjoys spending time with her family, photography and tending to her farm in Poulsbo.
Evergreens Lead Guide
Bri graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelors of Arts in English Education. This past year Bri was a student teacher and long term substitute for 7th and 8th grade English over in the Spokane area. As well as, she worked for a non profit, Generation Alive, where she empowered and educated youth on how to recognize problems in their communities like food insecurity and then take action to create a positive impact. Bri has also been involved in coaching club volleyball for high school students. These experiences have led Bri to have a passion to help cultivate overall growth within students.
Outside of school, Bri enjoys spending time reading, hiking, camping and going to the beach with her husband and dogs.
Bri Duchemin
Sprouts Lead Guide
Amanda graduated from The Center of Guided Montessori Studies in 2019. She has assisted and taught in Montessori environment for 4 years. Amanda has worked with children for over 20 years from nannying, volunteering to teaching.
She has always had a love of children and a passion to foster a love of learning for them.
Amanda is a native to the PNW and enjoys being outdoors. She likes spending her time in her flower garden, cooking and baking, paddle boarding, hiking and going on adventures. She has a 13 year old son who loves swimming, baseball and animals. They are both excited to join the Kitsap Life Academy community this year!
Amanda Rodriguez
