Kachemak Kids
3838 Bartlett St.
Homer , AK 99603
ph: 907-235-2205
Our Staff
Executive Director
Jon KulhanekA native of Minnesota, Jon grew up enjoying his time hunting, gathering, exploring the woods and fields, and taking artistic inspiration from beautiful rural landscapes. When he was 16, his uncle first brought him to Alaska. This trip took him to Homer and many other parts of the state. Very early on, he knew that Alaska would become home at some point in his life.
He received his undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota, and following this took a position designing highway rest areas for the MN Dept. of Transportation. After several months of work in this sector he received an invitation to setnet for salmon across the inlet on Chisik Island. This became his new passion and the need to find a profession that supported his summer fishing arose. The answer was teaching.
Jon began at the bottom of the ladder as a substitute teacher in a small Montessori preschool and childcare center in Minneapolis. Moving through the ranks, he became an assistant then lead teacher during his five years with the school. When the opportunity arose to pioneer an innovative pre-K program at the Blake School, he took it up with a passion. Using the approach of early educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this new pre-K program celebrated the creativity, natural curiosity, and innate ability of young children, and prepared them for a life-long love of learning. Jon has been fortunate enough to have traveled twice to the city of Reggio Emilia to study the city-run preschools that have gained much educator attention over the years.
After the foundation had been laid at Blake, Jon moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he was a lead teacher, program director, and admissions director at the Phillips Brooks School in Menlo Park.
With Alaska and fishing still an important part of his life, Jon, his partner Paula, and their children Isabel and Xander made the move to Homer in 2006. They spent their first year enjoying ‘homestead-style’ living on their 10 acres above Homer. Jon was thrilled to learn of Kachemak Kids and directed the program in its first year. Jon has returned as KKELC’s director this year. He is pleased to be a part of providing an innovative early learning option for the families of Kachemak Kids.Teacher
Sierra SmithBorn and raised in Homer, Sierra has been involved in the educational system for 14 years as a student. Her recently-discovered passion for education stems from her frustration with the latter years of her formal schooling that helped to make her ‘an expert' on what students need in Homer.
During Sierra's last year of high school, she traveled to Brazil as an exchange student to be as far away from Homer as possible. She definitely got her wish, as she was challenged by everything from a new family to hot, humid weather and even a private Catholic school.
She discovered through this culture first, that she didn't want to be away from Homer, and second, that with education comes understanding and acceptance (not to mention joy!).
Sierra looks forward to figuring out the details of furthering her education and learning with our lovely Kachemak Kids to ensure a bright future for our precious Homer.
Hiring Policy
Kachemak Kids hires staff with early childhood education training that meet state and national requirements for the positions they hold.
The Executive Director will have a minimum of a BA in Early Childhood Education or closely related field, with a minimum of three years experience working with children and parents.
Classroom teachers will have either an AA or a CDA with studies in education, child development or related areas; or be working towards those goals.Teacher
Rachel Jylkka
Rachel came to Homer from the small, coastal town of Rockport, Massachusetts.. She’s enjoying getting to know Homer, and has been happy to spend some of her days at Kachemak Kids Early Learning Center. She has a BA in English from Connecticut College and an MA in English from Northeastern University in Boston. She’s currently taking education courses online through Saint Joseph’s University to complete a teaching certification. Rachel loves interacting with kids, reading, writing, and music. With several nieces and a nephew, Rachel has spent a lot of time with kids and enjoys her time at Kachemak Kids, watching the children discover new things, play, and express themselves.Substitute Teachers
KKELC is continually adding to our pool of substitute teachers. If you are interested in becoming a sub, please contact Jon at kkelcdirector@yahoo.com
Kachemak Kids
3838 Bartlett St.
Homer , AK 99603
ph: 907-235-2205
