Our Teaching Staff

Our teaching staff has extensive knowledge and experience working with young children.  We work collaboratively to develop age appropriate curriculum, projects, and experiences to get the best out each of child.  We take the time to understand each child and their family dynamic.  It brings our teachers great joy to be a part of students' lives at such a time of growth and change.

Emily Compton

Emily has a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in School Counseling. Before starting Nurture Preschool in the fall of 2021 she taught at Secret Garden Preschool for many years.  She was the lead teacher in the 2.5 and 3.5 years old classroom for 10 years.  She was also the director of their Capitol Hill location for 4 years.

She loves teaching and engaging with young children.  It is such a privilege to watch them grow, develop and change.  The key to learning is having fun.  Emily likes to laugh, play, and get messy.

When not teaching Emily is home with her husband, 3 children and their dog Leo.  She is most likely standing on the sideline of a game cheering someone on.

Debbie Duffy

Debbie is a parent of three adult children and has lived in Seattle for 28 years.  As former director of the Capitol Hill location of the Secret Garden Preschool she brings a wealth of experience.

A love of children inspires her years working in Early Education.  Seeing a child grasp concepts, learn social and emotional skills and just watching them have fun is very gratifying and why she loves being a teacher!

In her spare time her passions of reading, baking, cooking, and a love of the environment keep her busy, she enjoys sharing these with children while encouraging the development of their own interests.  

Ellen Goddard

From the age of 15 Ellen has been a nanny for several families.  After nannying for the same wonderful family for 9 years she started working at Secret Garden Preschool.

Working at Secret Garden Preschool and watching students grow increased Ellen's passion for teaching and in 2018 she pursued a Masters in Elementary Education.  Ellen graduated in May 2020 and is excited to bring her experience and education to Nurture Preschool as a regular substitute teacher.  Ellen believes that each child is unique and she loves to help children grow and thrive using their own intellectual strengths. 

Other than teaching, Ellen loves to read, run, hang out with her cats, and travel.