OUR STORY
At Rising Tide Preschool, we believe every child deserves a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where they feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. Rooted in community and inspired by the unique spirit of Nantucket, our program was created with the goal of providing high-quality early childhood education in a warm and welcoming setting for island families.
Since opening our doors in 2020, Rising Tide Preschool has grown from a small, community-focused program into one of Nantucket’s only year-round preschool programs. What began with a few dedicated educators and eager little learners has continued to grow through the support of our families, staff, and community. While our program has expanded over the years, our mission has remained the same: to provide children with meaningful learning experiences that foster confidence, creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every child can thrive socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Through play-based learning, hands-on exploration, and strong relationships, we strive to meet children wherever they are in their individual learning journey while helping them build the skills they need for future success.
We are proud of the community we have built at Rising Tide Preschool and remain dedicated to providing a safe, enriching, and compassionate environment where children feel encouraged to explore, grow, and simply enjoy being children.
Rising Tide Preschool provides a safe stimulating environment in which children can grow and develop with the nurturing support and guidance of teachers, staff and parents. We are committed to providing the best early education and highest quality care to the children and families we serve.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Rising Tide Preschool has a comprehensive approach to educating and enriching the whole child. Our curriculum is play based because play is the most appropriate mode for a young child's learning. Our experienced and highly qualified teachers enable each child to reach his or her highest potential by supporting children wherever they are on their own learning path and timeline. Our goal is to build skills that set up children not only for success in kindergarten but beyond as well.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR GOALS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE
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To emphasize individual social, emotional, language, self-help skills, cognitive and physical development, so that each child will develop to his or her fullest potential.
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To encourage student-initiated activities promoting a high level of kindergarten preparation and laying strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, arts and sciences to assure future school success
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To encourage parental involvement with their child’s education, a key to academic achievement
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To partner with educational experts to assure teaching excellence
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To collaborate within the Commonwealth to develop a curriculum that exceeds the state’s educational standards
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​To offer learning focused on exploration and inquiry, which promotes high-level thinking and reasoning skills
MEET THE STAFF
Our dedicated team of educators is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging, and supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to grow. Our teachers work closely with children and families to build meaningful relationships while supporting each child’s unique learning journey through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences.
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With a strong commitment to early childhood education, our staff strives to foster confidence, creativity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning in every classroom. We are proud to provide a warm and welcoming community where children feel safe, supported, and excited to come to school each day.
MEGHAN WASHINGTON
A Nantucket native, Meghan Washington serves as the Director of Rising Tide Preschool. She has worked with Nantucket youth for over 20 years and remains actively involved in the community through organizations such as the Nantucket High School Council and Nantucket Little League. Meghan is passionate about early childhood education and is committed to providing Nantucket families with a high-quality year-round preschool program. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.
Director
KATIE MALONE GALLEN
Katie Malone Gallen has worked with children for over 15 years and has been part of the Rising Tide Preschool community since 2016. As Assistant Director, she is passionate about creating a warm, engaging, and supportive environment where children can build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and discover a love of learning. She especially enjoys watching children grow throughout the school year and celebrating the milestones both big and small. Outside of school, Katie enjoys reading, spending time at the beach with her husband, and hanging out with their two dogs and rabbit.
Assistant Director
DEBORAH NICHOLSON
Debbe Nicholson has spent over 40 years teaching, nurturing, and inspiring children at Rising Tide Preschool. A graduate of the Boston University School of Education, she is a Co-Teacher in the Starfish classroom and loves helping children prepare for kindergarten and beyond. Debbe is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences and enjoys sharing her love of Nantucket and its community with the children in her classroom. Outside of school, she enjoys gardening, reading, attending theater productions, and making her famous beach plum jelly.
Starfish Teacher
MEG MURRAY
Megan Murray is a Co-Teacher in the Starfish classroom and has worked with children for over 15 years across a variety of age groups. She loves watching children grow, learn, and flourish, and brings creativity, positivity, and energy to the classroom each day. Megan is passionate about creating a supportive environment where children feel encouraged to explore, build confidence, and enjoy learning. Outside of school, she enjoys going to the beach and attending concerts.
Starfish Teacher
PAULA MURRAY
Paula Murray is a Co-Teacher in the Dolphin classroom and brings many years of experience working with children of all ages. Before moving to the United States, she taught elementary-aged children in Jamaica for 24 years and later taught high school science in Florida. Since moving to Nantucket in 2017, Paula has loved working in early childhood education and helping children learn and grow each day. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, completing crossword puzzles, and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Dolphin Teacher
FERNANDA DA SILVA
Fernanda is a Co-Teacher in the Dolphin classroom and a proud parent of a Rising Tide Preschool graduate. After moving to Nantucket from Brazil in 2017, she discovered her passion for working with children and loves building connections with the children and families in the program. She enjoys creating a warm and welcoming environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and excited to learn each day. Outside of school, Fernanda enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and dancing.
Dolphin Teacher
TRE FLAHERTY
Tre is a Co-Teacher in the Minnow classroom and a Nantucket native who graduated from Wee Whalers in 2008. He loves using his artistic abilities while working with children and especially enjoys drawing and creating arts and crafts projects with them. Tre brings creativity, energy, and a fun sense of humor to the classroom, helping create an engaging and supportive environment for the children each day. In his free time, he enjoys working out, bowling, eating pizza rolls, and playing video games.
Minnow Teacher
IESHA HINTON
As the oldest of 10 children, Iesha has always been a natural caretaker. She began working at Rising Tide Preschool over four years ago and is now a Co-Teacher in the Minnow classroom. Iesha loves building strong relationships with the children and helping them learn, grow, and build confidence each day. She brings kindness, patience, and a caring energy to the classroom that helps children feel safe and supported. Outside of school, she enjoys trying new recipes, reading, and spending time with her boyfriend.
Minnow Teacher
OUR BOARD
Rising Tide Preschool is guided and supported by a dedicated Board of Directors made up of community members who are passionate about early childhood education and supporting island families. The Board works closely with school leadership to help ensure the continued growth, stability, and success of our program while supporting our mission to provide a nurturing, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all children.
Kate Barney, Board Chair
James L Malone III, Treasurer
Meghan Washington, Director & Clerk
Maria Guillet
Lisa Riley
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