Itty Bitty & Pre-K Teacher

Teacher Debbie Thulen has been with the Co-Op for over 15 years and teaches the Itty Bitty's and Pre-k classes. Debbie completed her bachelor's degree from Washington State University in 1991 and her master's degree in Education from City University in 1995. Prior to teaching at the Co-op, she taught preschool at Country Kids in Bow and Bethany Christian Preschool in Mount Vernon. She has over 23 years of experience despite taking a few breaks in teaching to raise her own children. She and her husband reside in La Conner and are farmers. Teacher Debbie's passion is making each child feel valued, loved, and accepted as they learn.

Itty Bitty & Pre-K Teacher

Teacher DeAnne Tronsdal grew up on a dairy farm in Conway, WA along with her sister Teacher Debbie. She earned her degree in Education from Washington State University in 1994. She began teaching preschool at Country Kids Preschool in Bow, WA. when her children were young. She and her husband have 4 children. She has been teaching at La Conner Co-op for over 6 years and also teaches a Mommy and Me Class at Bethany Christian Preschool. She loves music, gardening, and finds it a joy and privilege to work with little ones! She brings fun and spontaneity to our school!

3’s & Pre-K Teacher

Teacher Tamsen has spent her lifetime between the Skagit and Stillaguamish river valleys. In 2003, Tamsen took an interest in preschool and special education and in 2006 went to work for Stanwood-Camano School District’s special education department. She spent 12 years loving, laughing with, and teaching her students to read. Tamsen has been part of the La Conner Co-Op Community since fall of 2022 and officially became a teacher in the fall of 2023. Tamsen lives with her husband Jeremiah in Mount Vernon, playing in nature as often as she can. She is the proud mother of four, grandmother of three, and has three of the best dogs ever.

2’s Teacher

Kiersten Mara is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. After graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Linguistics in 2017, she started working in the education field when she served in AmeriCorps through the Washington Reading Corps. After completing her AmeriCorps service, she earned her teaching certificate through the Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University. After 2 babies and some time away from the classroom, she’s excited to get back to teaching! Kiersten believes that strong relationships with parents and caregivers are key to supporting each child’s growth, and she works closely with families to foster the holistic development of her students. Outside the classroom, Kiersten enjoys exploring the outdoors, gardening, and spending time with her wife, their 3.5 year old daughter, and their 10 month old son.