Meet our Staff

Marie Andrada
Lead Teacher
Orca Clan Advisor
Teaches: Language Arts

Ms. Andrada is a coffee-drinking, plaid-wearing, tree-hugging Seattle native. She graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Environmental Education, Outdoor Education, and Environmental Interpretation and a minor in Geography. Prior to teaching, she spent several summers working at summer camps in and around Puget Sound and Northern California. She also worked as a naturalist at outdoor schools on the California coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. When classroom teaching made its beck and call, she made her way to Portland, Oregon to earn her masters in teaching degree from Lewis & Clark College. Ms. Andrada began teaching in LWSD in 2011 and has been teaching at EAS since 2015. She has also taught 7th grade science and Quest at Redmond Middle School.

Ms. Andrada LOVES music. The guitar is her main instrument, but she’s known to pick up a ukulele, mandolin, or upright bass from time to time. She also enjoys playing music with her husband, going to concerts, kayaking or canoeing, playing cornhole, and going on road trips.
 

Brandon Miller
Camp Director, Leadership Advisor
Osprey Clan Advisor
Teaches:  Physical Science, Pre-Algebra 2, PE

Mr. Miller is a life-long east-side resident and a product of both EAS and the Lake Washington School District. As a student, his experiences at EAS catalyzed his love for the outdoors, science, and education. During high school and college, Mr. Miller regularly worked on the first yearly excursion at Camp Hamilton as a camp counselor. He graduated from Seattle University with both a B.S. in General Science and his Master’s in teaching. Before his time at EAS, Mr. Miller taught 7 years of 7^th and 8^th grade science at Rose Hill Middle School.

In addition to teaching academics, Mr. Miller has taught martial arts for over 15 years, specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where he holds his black belt. He has been actively training in the martial arts since he was 8 years old.

Outside of the classroom, you are likely to find Mr. Miller throwing discs at one of the local disc golf courses in the area, gathering around the table to play board games with his friends, playing guitar, or spending some quality time at home with his wife and his pets.

Michelle Minato
Wolf Clan Advisor
Teaches:  Social Studies, Math 6, Geometry

Ms. Minato was born and raised in Kent, Washington. She studied at the University of Washington for a B.A. in mathematics. Throughout her college years and in the immediate years after graduating, she journeyed to other countries to explore more of this amazing planet. In the years following, outdoor recreation became a calling. Ms. Minato worked at Stevens Pass for five years and during that time enjoyed living in the beautiful mountain town of Leavenworth, Washington. There she expanded her interests in gardening, farming, forestry, and love of the outdoors.

Ms. Minato’s teaching career began in 2018. She considers herself beyond-fortunate to have begun her career at a school as unique as EAS. Prior to joining EAS, she completed her student teaching at Redmond Middle School and earned her M.A. in teaching through Western Governors University. During her first year at EAS she became certified to teach language arts and social studies in addition to mathematics! Ms. Minato enjoys the complexities of the classroom and the raw energy that working with young people brings to her life.

Ms. Minato’s interests beyond the outdoors are cooking, growing plants, the performing arts, astronomy, physics, politics, and snuggling her cat. Ms. Minato would also like you to know that she has been Alexander Hamilton’s #1 fan since 1999.

Marcus Rose
Raven Clan Advisor
Green Team Advisor
Teaches:  STEAM, Exploratory Adventure Ed

Hello, my name is Marcus Rose and I am a middle school STEAM teacher. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I bring many tools to the classroom -- love for the outdoors, how things work and most importantly a strong passion to share this with middle school learners. In addition to teaching STEAM classes at the Environmental and Adventure School, I love to build things. Recently, we have been building canoes at school for use at camp and summer trips, but I also love to tinker with bicycles.

I learned to love the outdoors as part of my Biology major at Principia College where many studying abroad opportunities were part of the college culture. I continued learning about plant systems at the University of Missouri for my Master of Science in Alternative Agriculture. After a very short employment at Monsanto, I was able to grow into becoming a seasonal outdoor educator around the United States. During one particular season working for Pacific Crest Outward Bound School, I was encouraged by other instructors to continue my education and become a classroom teacher. I completed a Masters in Teaching at the University of Arkansas and then moved back to Washington. I sought an opportunity to bring expedition style learning to the public schools and I was very grateful to find a new school with the whole staff sharing these environmental and adventure goals.

When I am not working with middle school students, I love to pick a banjo, strum the guitar, work with my cattle dog and have adventures with my family.
 

Ashley Holck
Bear Clan Advisor
Teaches:  Pre-Algebra 1, Algebra, Environmental Science

Ms. Holck was born and raised in Kirkland, Washington, and was herself a student at EAS. She later moved to Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, to study Environmental Science and Oceanography at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. While there, she gained hands-on experience in environmental research and education, including living on a research ship, investigating new aquatic invasive species, and teaching environmental science lessons to local K–12 students. After five years in Hawaiʻi, she returned to the Pacific Northwest and worked in the service and hospitality industry. 

During college, Ms. Holck often returned to EAS to serve as a group leader at Camp Hamilton and Bowman Bay. Her experiences on EAS excursions—as both a student and a leader—sparked her passion for teaching and for sharing her love of science and the outdoors. She later completed her student teaching at EAS and earned a BA in Science Education from Western Governors University. Soon after, she became certified to teach mathematics, language arts, and social studies for grades 6–8. 

Ms. Holck began her classroom teaching career in 2024 in the Northshore School District, teaching math and science, before returning to EAS in 2025. In addition to teaching, she serves as the Head Coach of Juanita High School’s gymnastics team and has coached gymnastics in both Washington and Hawaiʻi for more than 10 years. 

Outside the classroom and gym, Ms. Holck enjoys hiking, reading mysteries, cooking, playing board games, learning guitar, and spending time with her family. 

Cristina Kollinger Collesei
Teaches:  Spanish 2 (8th grade)

I was born and raised in the Eastern, upper-Amazon area of Ecuador. I learned how to swim in the Tena River, with the river current taking me down as I learned. Nature was all around me and I still stop to notice insects, plants, and fruit hanging on a tree like Christmas ornaments.

I have a Masters in Spanish and French from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO and a TESOL Certificate from UCI Extension in California. I have lived in many places, including Missouri, California, Illinois, France, Italy and now the gorgeous Northwest. I feel at home with all the green around me and I love how international our area and school is. I have so much to learn from every single student. I love to travel and learn about other cultures and when I am in the classroom, the world comes to me, and I get to take a peek. What a privilege! I hope my students find that learning Spanish, or any other language, can open doors to knowledge, different perspectives and curiosity.

Audrey Montanez
Teaches:  Spanish 1 (7th grade)

Profe Montanez was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Colombia, South America, after her family moved there when she was young. She later relocated to Florida and attended UCF in Orlando, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Sociology and Health Services. She considers Clearwater, Florida, her home, as she spent many happy days at the beach and biking the nearby trails.

Curious and passionate about cultures, Profe Montanez enjoys learning new languages—she’s currently studying Portuguese and has experience interpreting church services from English into Spanish and ASL. She loves to stay active with Zumba, kickboxing, swing dancing, biking, and spending time outdoors. When it’s time to unwind, she enjoys reading with a cup of hot green tea, doing puzzles, and / or knitting.

A plant-based foodie at heart, her favorite meal is a hearty black bean burger with some avocado and served with baked sweet potato fries and a scoop of dairy-free ‘nice cream’ for dessert.

Kevin Hill
Teaches:  Special Education 

Mr. Hill is a concert-loving, trail-hiking, video game-playing Ridgecrest, California native. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with degrees in Political Science and Native American/Indigenous Studies. Over the past 10 years, he has taught a wide range of subjects, including Social Studies, Biology, P.E., Math, and Special Education.

For Mr. Hill, teaching has always been about helping students discover their strengths and build their confidence. His background across multiple subject areas gives him a flexible, creative approach in the classroom, and his passion for education extends beyond academics - he believes in preparing students for both school and life.

Outside of teaching, Mr. Hill is passionate about fitness and health, spending much of his free time in the gym and outdoors. Hiking is one of his favorite ways to recharge, and he brings that same love of exploration into his teaching. He's also an avid gamer - God of War is his all-time favorite - and enjoys connecting with students through shared interests in gaming and pop culture. At home, he shares life with Coco, his terrier-pit mix, who keeps him active and entertained.

Colleen McLaughlin
Office Manager

Colleen McLaughlin grew up in Seattle and graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington. While still in college, Colleen began working in the banking industry, then shifted into a sales support role with a large electronics firm before landing a 10+ year career position in commercial finance. In 2005, Colleen joined the EAS staff as a part-time Program Coordinator, primarily recruiting volunteers and coordinating transportation for school excursions and community stewardship projects. Over the next few years she took on more of the office management responsibilities and eventually assumed the fulltime Office Manager position in September 2013. Colleen is passionate about all things EAS, not the least of which is the opportunity to work with students and their families in the formative years of middle school.

Some of Colleen’s favorite things include her son (an EAS alum and also a UW graduate – Go Dawgs!), UW Huskies football, summer beach vacations, personal fitness, music, good books, live theater, feline animals, and human friends. She’s also crazy about her family and the fantastic EAS staff.
 

Laura Bartoletti
Program Coordinator - Volunteers, Expeditions, CSP

Laura Bartoletti grew up in Michigan and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Kalamazoo College. One of the best things about college was studying abroad in Spain. After college, Laura lived in San Francisco, CA and later, Portland, OR. Laura spent her professional career working in sales and human resources for a large staffing firm. In 2001 she landed in Kirkland, WA. In 2013 Laura joined EAS part-time as a Program Coordinator, recruiting volunteers and coordinating transportation for school excursions.
 

Her hobbies include reading, baking, movies and good tv, walking with friends, spending time with family, and annual family hiking, biking, and ski trips.
 

Amy Lofquist
Wednesday Electives Coordinator

Amy Lofquist grew up in Olympia and graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in psychology. She went on to earn a Masters degree in child development at Colorado State University. Amy worked as a research analyst and program evaluator for adolescent youth at risk programs for several years before staying home to raise 3 busy kids. After volunteering for many years at EAS, she took over as the Wednesday elective coordinator in 2015. There are many things she loves about EAS but the students, families and great teachers are at the top of her list.

Amy enjoys reading, baking, watching a good movie, sports and fitness, her cats and crazy dog, a warm sunny day or a good snow, and spending time with family and friends.