NCCDC’s teachers bring learning to life every day
Our teaching staff are skilled and knowledgeable in the field of child development and each bring a unique set of skills, interests and cultural perspectives. We encourage teachers to use their creativity in the classroom and share their passions, talents and cultural backgrounds, which enriches our children’s experience and our community. Our teachers strive to support each child’s emotional, social, physical, cognitive and creative growth. All of our staff are background checked in the FBI fingerprint system, hold current CPR/First Aid certification, Food Handler’s certification, Safe Sleep certification, and are required to do between 15-30 hours of continued education in child development each year.
Interested in working here? Email the Director about current openings for Teachers, Aides and Subs.
Executive DIRECTOR
Benjamin Shipley (he/Him)
TIME WORKED AT NCCDC: February 2024
Ben is the new Executive Director at NCCDC.
He started working with children at the age of 13 as a camp counselor. He received his BA in Psychology with a focus on Child Development from Hunter College in New York. Over the last seven years he has worked as a researcher, assistant teacher, teacher, inclusion specialist, and director of a preschool.
Ben’s favorite part of childcare is watching a child succeed on a difficult task using a new skill. He is most proud of building an inclusion program that became a trusted resource in the local community as a safe place for children with higher needs.
In his free time Ben likes to read, play D&D, sing a little too loudly, and spend time with his three cats and partner.
Assistant Director
Mckenzie MOffat (she/Her)
TIME WORKED AT NCCDC: 19 years
McKenzie has always loved working with kids! She loves their curiosity, creativity, energy and laughter.
She has a Fine Arts degree from OSU and is an Oregon native. She spent two years teaching English to children in South Korea and Taiwan.
McKenzie started working at NCCDC 19 years ago as an aide in the toddler room and loved it so much she moved into the teacher role very quickly. She loves the cooperative aspect of the school and really enjoys getting to know all the families.
She has two children of her own who have gone through the program as well.
In her spare time she enjoys reading and drinking tea on her porch, cooking, working in the garden, going on walks with her children, and going to the beach.
Carrie
In House Substitute & Teacher
Time worked at NCCDC: 12 years
Carrie has worked at NCCDC off and on since 2009.
She loves being part of the community and particularly enjoys seeing the children explore, create and flourish.
Her favorite activities to do with the kids are reading and painting.
Carrie grew up in Portland and likes spending time with family (especially her two nieces), being in nature, traveling and watercolor painting.
Rachel (she/her)
Toddler Teacher
Time worked at NCCDC: Fall 2016
Rachel first started working at NCCDC as an aide in the toddler room in fall of 2016 as a high schooler after volunteering in elementary school classrooms. She has returned since obtaining a bachelors of science in psychology at Western Washington University.
Her favorite aspects of working with kids are supporting the formation of secure attachments, encouraging creativity through art, play, and conversation, and providing a safe and supportive environment for emotional expression.
In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, walking, spending time with friends and family, and drinking chai.
Teacher Vanda (they/them/theirs)
Preschool Teacher afternoon lead
Time worked at NCCDC: February 2025
Vanda grew up in the Springfield/Eugene area, and has lived in East Portland for 6 years. They obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in Political Science, with a minor in Ethnic Studies in 2018.
Vanda has been working closely with youth of all ages through teaching dance for over 10 years. In 2022, Vanda began working in a preschool setting and fell in love with teaching young children. Ever since then, Vanda has dedicated their work life to supporting toddlers and preschoolers in social and emotional learning and hands-on play. When Vanda is not teaching preschool, they are instructing ballet, hip-hop and tumbling classes in SE Portland to ages 2-10.
Outside of work, Vanda loves spending time with their partner and two cats, their three niblings, and trying to pet any dog they see!
Chloe (she/her),
Toddler Lead
Time worked at NCCDC: January 2023
Chloe began instructing various forms of dance in 2015, specializing in ages 3-5.
She then began working in a preschool setting where she continued to teach dance alongside more traditional preschool curriculum .
In 2022 she discovered a love for working with toddlers and how rewarding it is to see how they learn and grow everyday. Chloe enjoys bringing out children’s inner artist as well as exploring nature, music and movement with our students.
In her free time she likes to read, paint, and hike waterfalls with her dog named Twinkie.
Jordyn (She/Her)
Toddler Teacher
Time worked at NCCDC: September 2024
Hi, I’m Jordyn! During my high school years, I babysat for multiple families, which is how I found my initial love for working with children.
I moved from Southern California to Oregon in 2020. I lived in Eugene and, in spring of 2024, graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in business and a minor in special education. During college, I worked at a campus daycare as a student aide. This experience made me realize how much I enjoy teaching children.
Post graduation, I decided to move to Portland and continue working with kids. I started working at NCCDC in fall of 2024. My favorite aspects about working with children are fueling creativity, encouraging imagination, watching them learn and grow, and being able to witness their contagious smiles/laughter everyday.
In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, trying new food, exploring Portland, and spending time with friends!