Early Achievers Team

Lee Ann Bryant  |  Early Achievers Consultation Manager – Thurston, S. Mason & Grays Harbor

I am honored to be an Early Learning Consultant Manager. The benefits of high quality care and learning opportunities for our youngest children are profound and I love being a part of helping to achieve it. I bring over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education to my work here with CCAC. I have worked as an ECE Instructor, Parent Educator Advisor to Cooperative Preschools and most recently as an Education and Disabilities Coordinator for Head Start/ECEAP programs. By working together, we CAN make a difference in the lives and futures of children and families.

Heidi Scott  |  Early Achievers Consultation Manager – Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & N. Mason


In the 24 years spent in the field of Early Childhood Education, I have had the opportunity to hold many different positions all over the county. My work with Head Start, Early Head Start, Military Child Care, Licensed Child Care, in teaching, coaching, mentoring and supervising positions has provided me the unique opportunity to engage with many families and early childhood professionals. I have learned that wherever you go, families want and deserve the same thing for their children, which is high quality, affordable care and education. The Early Achievers program has given me the opportunity to honor and advocate for coaches, providers and families who are all working towards this important goal, and in the process, creating healthy, thriving children and communities.

Miracle Lucketti |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Kitsap & N. Mason

I work directly with providers to help them achieve the highest quality care possible for the children in their programs.

I’ve worked with young children since 2010, and every day I get to learn something new. I love helping find new ways for children to learn and seeing providers grow their confidence when they discover new ways to facilitate that learning. Early learning sets the foundation for the children in our care to grow up and make a difference, and I can’t wait to see them do just that!

Amalia Baker |  Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant – Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap & N. Mason

I work with Early Achievers participants and the families they serve to support the healthy growth and development of children ages 0-5 and school aged.

I’m invested in providing mental health and social emotional services to the communities of the Olympic Peninsula where I grew up and where I raise my own children.  My interests are film and media arts, exploring ocean beaches, and spending time with my family.

Jessica Beckett  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Clallam & Jefferson 

I am a small town girl from Northwest Washington. My husband and I have been married for three years and have three amazing children. I have been in the child care profession for seventeen years. I started in high school taking a child care class for high school credits and it was then that realized working with and for children was my passion. I have been a child care facility director, preschool teacher and my greatest accomplishment is being a mommy! I was hired on with Child Care Action Council December 19, 2016 for Clallam and Jefferson counties. I look forward to working with our providers and helping them gain the tools needed to guide our children to be successful through life’s journey.

Amanda Coleman  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Clallam & Jefferson 

I joined Child Care Action Council in October 2021. I was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Washington in 2007 to assist my military brother with live in childcare as he was away on deployment. I have a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and 21 years of experience working in the Human Services field. I have worked to promote the healthy development of children as a parent educator with Parents as Teachers, supervised visitation for parents in need, and have taught parenting classes and am certified in Incredible Years, Triple P, and Strengthening Families.  I also worked as a Family Service Worker for a local Head Start program. I look forward to collaborating and being a part of the CCAC team!

Shelly Knight|  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Thurston 

I am an EA Coach with a specialty in Tribal Relations. I am excited to serve my community of caring and committed providers who strive to provide excellent care for children. I am passionate about supporting families in the early childhood years-a time that is so precious and so important.

Lei Pedro   |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Thurston 

I have been in the Early Childhood Education field since 2011, starting as an assistant teacher and working my way up to a center director.  Providing children with the best possible foundation for lifelong learning has always been my passion, as well as supporting and inspiring teachers. I am thrilled to be a part of this Early Achievers team and to be working with providers and children in our community.

Nattie Diaz  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Thurston

My first experience with young children began in 1986 while working for the Board of Education in New York City. Since then, my experiences in early childhood have come from various job experiences to include Home family Childcare, public schools and the Armed Forces Child Youth Services. My husband and I are originally from New York City, but we have lived in many areas of the country including Europe. We moved to Washington State in 2001. My husband retired after 20 years of military service and we decided to settle here and raise our two handsome sons. I have recently completed my bachelors in Early Childhood. I’m grateful and honored to be working in an organization that focuses in quality work by training and mentoring teachers to help reach their full potential.

Tracy Mitchell  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Thurston & S. Mason

I am so excited to be working here! I come to Child Care Action Council with over 20 years’ experience in Early Childhood education. I began my career as a parent volunteer when my youngest son was in Head Start. That experience led me to a career opportunity where I worked as a teacher’s aide in a child care center/ Head Start and progressed into a position where I served as the bus driver, lead Pre-K teacher, education coordinator/trainer, and transportation manager for many years. I also took on the role of interim Head Start/Child Care director on several occasions. I have an AA in ECE and Administration and a BS in Child Development. I am passionate about learning new things and teaching others. I look forward to working in a new role and expanding my horizons and helping others reach their full potential in the ECE field!!

Kerry Sanders  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Grays Harbor & Thurston 

I began my Early Childhood career as a parent in a local co-op preschool.  When they couldn’t find a toddler teacher, I was coaxed into taking the position.  The fire was ignited…. and here I am 30 years later! I was a co-op toddler teacher and a child care preschool teacher for 10 years and have worked for Head Start/ECEAP the last 20 years as a Center Director, Area Coordinator/Ed & Disabilities Lead and a Child Care Partnership Manager. I have a BA in Elementary Education with endorsements in ECE, Special Ed (K-12) and ECE Special Ed.  Joining CCAC feels like a natural progression and a sort of ‘coming home’ to where I began.  I am very excited to be here.

Kati Watkins  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Thurston & S. Mason 

I started with the Child Care Action Council as an ECEAP teacher 3 years ago. I’m excited to start my new journey as an Early Achievers Early Learning Consultant/Coach. I have worked in the early childhood field for 10 years. My passion began when I was a babysitter, and it grew from there. I find it very rewarding to be a part of a child’s learning and development. I have my associates degree in Early Childhood Education, and I am always willing to learn new things as life never stops teaching!

Melinda Luark  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Grays Harbor 

I am an Early Achievers Coach/Consultant in Grays Harbor. I enjoy providing support for providers in center and family in-home child care programs. I have huge respect for providers who care for the young children and families every day. I am constantly inspired by my providers, and I am proud to be a part it!

I joined the CCAC team as an Early Achievers Coach/Consultant in 2021. I come to Child Care Action Council with a varied background of Early Learning experience:  teaching early childhood special education in Shelton, Olympia, and Lakewood.  I co-taught at Yelm Head Start and helped open Old Town Tumwater Center. I worked at two Olympia elementary schools as before and after school care director.  In the very beginning I worked part-time as a teacher’s aide for Head Start at Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementaries and taught preschool at Olympia Childcare Center. More recently, I served as Assistant Director at Keystone Learning Center in Aberdeen.

I am grateful to serve on a team that supports and nurtures children and families helping them to thrive!  I enjoy walking/hiking in nature, swimming, collecting children’s books and all things tea.  I especially enjoy snail mailing my grandson Wyatt.

Emily Long  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Kitsap & N. Mason

One of my many passions continues to be children and their education, while supporting them through their mental and emotional growth. I believe that we are all constantly growing, no matter the age, and as much as we pour into these children, they are in return pouring into us! The more we foster this investment, will it be nothing short of beneficial and rewarding in future!

Beverly Barker  |  Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant – Grays Harbor, N. Mason & Thurston

I began working in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in 1987 as a Behavioral Health Specialist for autistic and emotionally challenged children. Through the years, I’ve had the privilege to work with children, youth, young adults, and families with a broad spectrum of gifts and challenges. Over the course of my journey, I have developed a deep appreciation of and respect for early childhood professionals who work so hard to influence children in positive ways. Supporting ECE professionals in improving outcomes for the children and families they serve is a privilege. I hold a BS in Psychology, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a MEd in Early Childhood Education/Special Education. I am thrilled to be a part of Child Care Action Council and the great work they are accomplishing in early childhood education!

Yvette Hernandez  |  Early Achievers – Early Learning Consultant – Kitsap County and State Wide Trainer

I work with the Early Achievers program and a part-time trainer for Child Care Basics and Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL) classes.

I have worked with CCAC for the past 8 years. In my current position, I have been able to combine my joy with working with children to include working with teachers, and the community. I am passionate about creating a whole child approach to education and providing reflective practice in professional development for adult learners.

Carmen Garcia Valencia  |  Early Achievers Coach

Hi, my name is Carmen Garcia Valencia and I’m coming into the CCAC team as of recently with 20+ years of experience. I was born in Mexico but raised in the United States.  I’ve been working alongside children from an early age as a support staff with Boys and Girls Club and as a dual language teaching support with HeadStart/ ECEAP, all the way to a Director position.  I’ve enjoyed every role I’ve played in the life of these children and families, and it’s taught me so much along the way on my own journey to motherhood . I’m beyond grateful to continue my role as a support system for teacher and providers to enhance children’s learning and development. I look forward to working in my new position to use the tools in my toolbox while also expanding my knowledge and help others in the ECE field.