Teacher Kate
Kate, preschool teacher, 2026
Kate Kelly
Founder/Director/Teacher
Kate has over 20 years of experience working with children. She has worked in daycares, preschools, elementary schools and private residences, working with children of all ages and backgrounds.
She earned her BA in liberal studies from the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies at Sonoma State University in 2005. After getting married and having children, she returned to SSU in 2017 to earn her MA in early childhood education where she structured her thesis around the creation of Morning Bird Preschool.
Kate believes firmly in the power of play, nature, storytelling and art, and integrates them into her daily curriculum. She also believes very much in laughter which, thankfully, always finds a way to integrate itself naturally into each day.
Kate, preschool student, 1987
Finally, she believes that early childhood is pretty much the most essential part of the human experience. If you can provide a child with a happy, grounded, fulfilling childhood, it sets the stage for success (social, emotional, academic and more). Kate’s own childhood has been extremely influential as she draws from her vivid memories of being a happy kid.
Kate lives with her husband, Gregory, and their two daughters, Simone and Mia. She is honored to provide a wonderful place for children to play, learn and thrive. It is the work of her heart.
Teacher Kate's Assistants
Porter Lockett
Porter recently graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Sacramento State and has worked with children and families in multiple positions. He started his professional journey as a Behavioral Aide at Cypress School in Petaluma when he was 17 years old. He then went on to work as a floor staff and camp counselor at the Children's Museum of Sonoma County. Most recently, in addition to a social work internship, he helped run the Family Makerspace Program at a public library in Sacramento.
He was born and raised in Petaluma and attended alternative and Waldorf schools from Kindergarten through High School. He believes early access to art and nature are essential, and deeply admires those aspects of Morning Bird's philosophy. He is also a musician!
Mia Kelly
Mia is Teacher Kate’s 16 year old daughter and teaching assistant. She is homeschooled and has been babysitting and volunteering in childcare facilities since she was 9 years old. Mia's creative energy and enthusiastic spirit has been evident throughout her childhood. She has written stories and poems, created amazing works of art in a number of mediums, and taught herself arts and craft projects from jewelry-making and illustrated art journals to cotton loop weaving and building furniture!
Mia is very nurturing, vigilant and creative with the children. She enjoys playing piano, drums and guitar, ice skating, crafting, and listening to music. She is also a good pal and loyal friend to her big sister, Simone!