Our goal is to offer the children we work with the opportunity to discover their interests, learn self-expression, and understand the importance of being grounded in the natural world. Our guides and visiting artists celebrate expression and dexterity by listening to the child’s ideas and interests, valuing their uniqueness, and respecting their choices. We aim to cultivate flow-state concentration, a merging of action and awareness that allows the children to become fully absorbed by the task at hand and provides them with personal agency over their experience making their days intrinsically rewarding. Our guides nurture a space that inspires exploration and freedom while supporting the individual’s intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. We focus on cultivating confidence, social ease, independent thought, and a natural excitement for learning.

Chloe Maglio

LEAD GUIDE

Chloe has been with Wave of the Future since November 2022. She is currently enrolled in Montessori Northwest’s AMI Primary 3-6 Diploma program, graduation August 2025. Chloe is passionate about connecting children with nature and the arts. Spending time in the school garden with the kids is one of her favorite aspects of her role at Wave. She hails from the Midwest, and has lived in the Lower Columbia region since 2020. When she is not in the classroom or taking a nature walk with the preschoolers, Chloe spends her time creating fiber art, gardening, experimenting in the kitchen with cooking and fermentation, and playing or snuggling up with her and her partner’s 3 cats. Chloe is honored to be a part of this learning community that provides invaluable life skills to children in their most formative years.

Heather Honer

ASSISTANT GUIDE

Heather joined the Wave team in June 2024. She is an experienced Montessori Assistant Guide, having worked for 5 years at a Montessori school in Minnesota before moving out west and another year at a Montessori school in Spokane. Heather is enrolled in the AMI 3-6 Guide program starting May 2025 at Montessori Northwest! Heather and her partner have a sweet medium hound mix and a new English golden retriever puppy. They enjoy traveling and pet sitting/house sitting.

Alicia Baker

ASSISTANT GUIDE

Alicia (ah-lee-see-a) is a Long Beach local and currently lives with her partner and Australian Shepherd puppy dog named Kevin! Alicia has always wanted to work with children and started at Wave of the Future Preschool in June 2024. Alicia is currently working on her AMI 3-6 Orientation certification (60 hours) through Montessori Northwest. She loves art and when she’s not working at the preschool you can find her at Adrift Spa in her 2nd job as a nail tech.

Audrey Schuler

ECOLOGY SPECIALIST

Audrey is an outdoor enthusiast with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Outdoor Adventure Leadership. She’s been fortunate to turn her passion for nature into a career. She’s worked as a naturalist with the Forest Service, taught ski and swim lessons to little adventurers aged 3-6, and led nonprofit outdoor school programs. Through each role, she loved inspiring kids to connect with the outdoors, fostering curiosity, respect, and excitement for the natural world! A fun fact about her is that I have road-tripped across the whole United States 5 times!