Sherry Helde (School Director/teacher)

Sherry Helde has been at Loving Space since 2000, and became the preschool Director in 2003. She enjoys many things about Loving Space, but first and foremost, she loves the kids. “I love these kids! I love their excitement and perspective.“ She delights in the way that they develop between the ages of three and five. “They grow so much, I feel lucky to be a part of their lives in that time.“ Sherry likes getting to do a little bit of everything at the school and says that it brings a nice sense of balance to her work.

Sherry came to Bellingham to attend WWU with no idea that she would end up teaching. She wanted to be many things from psychologist to interior direct decorator, but the last thing she wanted to be was a teacher. “I didn’t want to be a teacher because my dad told me that is what I would be!“ She laughs… Everyone at Loving Space is glad she changed her mind.

Sherry loves fall! New faces, bright eyes, leaves, and pumpkins. She loves to have an apple tasting gathering with the children every year. When she’s not working, she enjoys swimming, going for walks and simply hanging out with her husband Jon and their child Blue. Her favorite ice cream flavor is root beer float from Mallards. She wants to learn to play the ukulele and loves all kinds of music.

Rosie Gehring (Preschool teacher)

Rosie retired in June 2019 but she will stay here on this page indefinitely because she is a pillar of Loving Space School. She helped make our school what it is and we will be forever grateful to her for  22 years of dedicated, loving, playful teaching.

Rosie has been presiding over the quiet room at Loving Space Preschool since 1999, sharing her nurturing presence, gentle sense of humor, and especially her love of books. She feels she gets as much from her kids as they get from her. “I have a long commute to school,” she says, “so sometimes I’m in a bit of a stressed out mood when I get here. Even so, it never takes long before all the love and laughter from the kids turns me right around.”

Rosie’s favorite part of working with the children at Loving Space is seeing them beginning to reflect behaviors and values that she’s modeled for them. “When you see something, some lesson, that you’ve taught them starting to come back – that you’ve touched their life in some way – there’s a lot of joy in that.”

Someday Rosie would like to retire and live near Tenaskit, WA, in the north Cascades. “I’d like to just live on the land – it’s so beautiful up there,” she says. Rosie’s favorite quote is from William Blake: “No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings.”

Kristan Brennan (Preschool teacher)

Kristan joined Loving Space in 2006 after her son Eli attended preschool and kindergarten there, and then shared that experience with her second son Avi. When asked what she loves about Loving Space Kristan said, “We give them space to practice their life skills, to learn to get along. Loving Space kids really benefit from the open, accepting, and loving environment here.” Watching the kids develop is one of her favorite things about working at Loving Space. She loves seeing the change in them and hearing the funny things they say. She feels like she does some of her best work in supporting children with separation anxiety because she remembers what it felt like to leave her mom when she was a little girl.

Kristan likes to cook and bake. She is a masterful bread baker and has made over 25 wedding cakes to date! Kristan brings her skills to work, where she cooks with the kids and lets them help at snack time. She likes the way it gives them that “Hey, I can do that!” feeling.

Kristan’s favorite kids book is Whose Moon Is That by Kim Krans.

Emily Katzenberg (Preschool teacher)

Emily has worked at Loving Space since 2005, but the term “the Loving Space family” has a literal meaning for her since her brother-in-law worked here for years and her nephews and niece and children all attended school at Loving Space over the years. Emily likes everything about her job, especially the people she works with. She particularly enjoys being creative: “I love making art with the kids – that’s my thing.” Fall is her favorite season of the school year because she says it has the very best crafts.

When she’s not making art, Emily loves making soup, drinking coffee, gardening and knitting. She’s fond of White Russian ice cream from Mallards. She also loves movies, especially those from Wes Anderson or the Coen brothers. Her favorite children’s books are those by Roald Dahl.

On a day off, you’ll find Emily relaxing with her children Alice and Westly, their two cats and their Corgi Marty. She also enjoys traveling to beaches and cities.

Rae Hemmen (Preschool teacher)

Rae has been at Loving Space her whole life. Rae is Abby and Chris’s daughter and has many fun memories of growing up in this special community. One of these memories is from when she was four and she and another preschooler sat in the quiet room “doing Sherry’s hair” to get her ready for her first date with Jon, now Sherry’s husband! Rae started working at Loving Space in 2016. She enjoys reading stories, blowing bubbles and delights in outdoor adventures with the children! Rae’s favorite part of the Loving Space philosophy is the emphasis on being able to really be you. Rae loves being able to share stories with the children about what she loves to do when she went to Loving Space and draws on her favorite preschool memories to create fun and exciting new activities for the current preschoolers. “I feel so lucky that I grew up, but never grew out of Loving Space.“ She says.

When she’s not at work, you can find Rae cooking or adventuring with her partner, Caleb, their children and two dogs. She loves to be creative and enjoys knitting, quilting, and building fairy furniture. Her favorite kids book is Mud Puddle by Robert Munsch, and she loves caramel swirl ice cream.

Chris Hemmen (Preschool teacher)

Chris met Abby in 1993, just three months after she open Loving Space. Over 30 years later it’s clear that Loving Space keeps bringing them together. “I love that Abby and I have more to share,” says Chris after taking an active role at the school in 2014. “I’m so glad to become part of Loving Space. I’m no longer on the outside looking in.” Chris worked in long term care for 30 years. He enjoys how fearless both children and the elderly are about their opinions and what they want to do.

You will often see Chris bringing big energy and fun to the outdoor areas at Loving Space. Supporting kids in the play has taught him how little adult guidance is truly necessary.

“It’s amazing to watch what happens naturally when we get out of the way.” Chris brings a lot of humor and creative support to the team.

Chris enjoys hanging out with family and friends golfing and disc golfing. His favorite ice cream flavor is Coffee.

Kelli (Preschool teacher)

Kelli first heard about Loving Space when Abby spoke in an early childhood class. “It was my dream to work here!” It was also a perfect fit. In 2001, Kelli‘s dream came true. “It’s just so fun to be a kid again, to see the world through kids eyes. I don’t ever have to grow up!” Kelli is always ready to jump into the action and lead a game or activity with grace, calm, and childlike joy. She loves getting in depth with big projects and likes to experiment with the kids, doing science experiments, making play-dough and stirring up potions. Kelli’s favorite place in the school is the big room, because it gets messy and allows Kelli to be the calm inside the creative storm.

Kelli and her husband love to work in their garden with their kids Clay, Addy, and Carson. She enjoys pickling, canning, and preserving fruit. She loves to take day excursions with the kids, camping, swimming, and spending time with friends. And she has loved butter pecan ice cream since she was a kid.

Sandy (Preschool teacher)

Sandy Sewell has been involved with Loving Space for many years and in many ways. She has two sons, Kaden and Carter, both alumni of the preschool and Kindy. She has been a regular volunteer at the Kindy since 2011, and she’s literally part of the family; Chris Hemmen is her brother! Sandy started working at the preschool in 2016. Her favorite space to play is the big room. She says, “Every kid is a grown-up waiting to happen. It’s interesting to see where they’re starting.”
Family is important to Sandy. She loves spending time with her husband Ryan and two grown boys. Loving Space has taught Sandy the importance of supporting children for who they are as individuals. She says what she loves the most about Loving Space is how respect for everyone is so highly valued. “Everybody gets to be who they are!“ Sandy brings a kind, curious, and fun spirit to her teaching. You’re most likely to find her guiding kids through conflict in a way that supports them to figure it out themselves. It is one of her super powers.
Sandy‘s favorite kids book is Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina.

Summer MacGregor (Preschool teacher)

Summer started working at Loving Space in 2020 after the Montessori School she worked at closed due to COVID. Summer loves kids! “I love how they say exactly what they’re thinking.” She is enjoying experiencing the Loving Space philosophy and the focus on play and creativity. “The kids have so much freedom here!”

Her favorite place to play at the school is the Quiet Room, she enjoys reading stories and drawing with the children. You can find her sprucing up our science area and sharing her love of small creatures with the kids. Summer has a magic touch when it comes to the school pets and she enjoys helping the kids learn how to hold and care for the school lizards.

When Summer isn’t at school you can find her enjoying walks with her dog Frodo and playing with her cat Kio. She enjoys painting and creating art of all kinds, and loves spending time with friends.

Summer’s favorite ice cream is Vanilla and her words to live by are “Just breathe.” Her favorite book to read with the kids is I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.

Becca Mulcahy (Preschool Teacher)

Becca joined the Loving Space team in 2021 after her 2 kids attended preschool and kindy.  She actually considered growing her family just so she could keep coming to Loving Space.  “I felt the magic instantly,”  Becca remembers of her first time at the school.  

One of Becca’s favorite things at school are all the quotes and words of wisdom that are posted throughout the place.  “Loving Space preserves childhood.  It is a place where kids being kids is totally cherished and encouraged.  It is their space, a ‘Yes’ place!”  Becca enjoys being silly with the kids and watching them get dirty in the Mud Kitchen.  Becca brings her inquisitive mind, big heart and ability to connect with everyone to the classroom. Becca has a way of remembering everyone’s name, what they like, who they’re friends with and what matters to them. Becca makes everyone feel seen, valued, and like an important part of our community.”

Becca also loves reading to the kids, especially when it starts with an audience of 1 and by the end of the book there are kids climbing into your lap.  

Becca loves to be with her family.  “We love the outdoors, but a jammy day at home is my favorite”.  She and her family camp, travel and laugh (a lot!).