Submitted by the Orcas Island Children’s House Board of Directors.

With great pleasure and excitement, the Children’s House board of directors welcomes new Executive Director Ady Kenady Walker to our program.

Our preschoolers, parents, teachers, and Board members are so fortunate to have her on our team representing Children’s House, a nonprofit early-learning facility in our community which has enriched the lives of our youngest locals for almost 50 years.

Walker, a Children’s House alumni herself, comes from a strong background of early learning, volunteer work and training. She served as the preschool program supervisor at Children’s House from 2015-2017 while simultaneously earning her master’s degree in early childhood education from Portland State University.

After graduation, Walker went on to work for the Opportunity Council, serving as the early achievers coach for San Juan County preschools. She also serves as an adjunct instructor for Skagit Valley College. Walker has volunteered her time as an executive committee member for the San Juan County Early Learning Coalition and is a community board member for the Coalition for Orcas Youth.

Her impressive resume aside, Walker’s presence sets a pleasant tone around the school. Whether you are 5 years old or 55 years old, conversations with her make you feel at ease. We are proud to have such a friendly and strong leader on board.

Walker and her husband, Dan, reside in Doe Bay with their two children, Henry (sixth grade) and Lola (fifth grade). She enjoys the peace and quiet of their newly acquired space and looks forward to Sunday dinners with friends and extended family.

As the weather is improving, you might see parent volunteers and teachers outside repairing fences, gardening and tidying up. Feel free to stop by the school and introduce yourself to our new executive director and see the changes taking place around the school grounds. We might even hand you a rake! This is an exciting time of transition for our organization and the preschoolers. We are optimistic about what’s in store for our school and have a wonderfully eager board and team of teachers to support Children’s House and our youngest islanders for generations to come!