LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS TEAM
John Bachner, Teacher and Lead of Social Emotional Learning, Elementary School
Mr. Bachner moved to Bremerton from the Bay Area of California. Before coming to Catalyst, Mr. Bachner served as an ESL certified 3rd grade teacher and 4th grade teacher at Match Community Day in Boston, MA. Mr. Bachner also worked as an assistant principal for three years at Rocketship Discovery Prep in east San Jose and 2 years at The Primary School in East Palo Alto, CA. During this time, he coached and supported teachers and students from Kinder to 5th grade.
Mr. Bachner is excited to share this perspective as Catalyst grows into new grades in the years ahead. As an undergrad at Lafayette College Mr. Bachner studied international affairs, traveled abroad in Ecuador, volunteered in education and wrote a thesis on environmental conservation and economic development. As such, he remains deeply passionate and committed to causes that improve learning outcomes, promote sustainability and build human capital both here and abroad.
Kyle Bobay, Coordinator: Special Projects
Kyle Bobay (he/him/his) is thrilled to be a member of the Catalyst team and is excited to continue watching Catalyst grow within the Kitsap community.
Kyle was born and raised in the Bay Area of California and came to Bremerton during the fall of 2017. He finished his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington where he received a B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas, with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. Kyle also holds a MBA in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
When Kyle is not at school, he is most likely spending time riding his skateboard, planning his next vacation, or finding new restaurants to eat because he loves food! He dreams of growing a family, traveling all around the world.
Dustin Church, Director of Finance and Operations
Prior to starting at Catalyst, Dustin was the Director of Finance and Administration for Engineered Software in Lacey, WA. While at Engineered Software, Dustin focused on operational efficiency, policy and process improvement, business systems development, and financial analysis. In his time at Engineered Software, he implemented many new policies and practices to ensure compliance with state and federal laws as well as improve operational efficiency. Prior to Engineered Software, Dustin was an executive team leader of logistics and operations at Target. He helped develop new operational procedures for the logistics team, to help improve guest experience as well as overall operations of the business.
Dustin graduated in June of 2019 with an MBA in Finance from Washington State University. He also obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Saint Martin's University. In his free time, Dustin loves to spend time with his wife, 2 children, and 2 dogs, exploring the pacific northwest and traveling.
Dustin can be reached at dchurch@catalystpublicschools.org.
Tatiana Epanchin, Co-Founder, Head of Elementary School
Prior to launching Catalyst Tatiana was the Head of Program at School Leader Lab, a school leadership development program, Tatiana was the Bay Area Regional Superintendent for Aspire Public Schools. As principal, her school increased its academic performance index by 150 points, more than three times the state average increase. She was awarded the National Title I Distinguished School Award for closing the achievement gap, an honor bestowed upon only 1 out of over 9,600 schools in the state. She began her teaching career with Teach for America in New Orleans and has also served as a social worker in Contra Costa County working on intensive family preservation cases. She is driven by her passion for justice in our country and how we can make individual contributions to change in our local context. She believes we each have a critical role to play, and that anything is possible in Washington––a state full of innovation and creativity. In her free time, she loves exploring the Puget Sound region with her family.
Tatiana can be reached at tatiana@catalystpublicschools.org.
Amanda Gardner, Co-Founder
Head of Middle School
Prior to launching Catalyst Amanda was the VP, Schools at Innovate Public Schools. In this role Amanda founded Innovate's World-Class Schools Fellowship, a year-long school design program helping to redesign and launch new, equity driven schools. Amanda also designed and launched Innovate's Charter School Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. Before coming to Innovate, Amanda was the founding Principal of UP Academy Charter School of Boston, a highly successful turnaround school committed to improving educational outcomes for all students. In the school’s founding year, students at UP had the highest student growth percentiles in middle school math in the entire state of Massachusetts and, in 2014, was named a Commendation School by the Massachusetts Department of Education, an accolade reserved for schools that are beating the odds with students.
Amanda was also the Founding Principal of Boston Preparatory Charter Public School (BPCPS) in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. 100% of the school’s founding class earned proficient or advanced on all state required high school tests and students in the middle school have consistently outperformed students across the state in virtually all grade levels and content areas. In 2009, BPCPS was named as an EPIC Gold Gain school, a honor bestowed to 5 schools across the country.
Amanda can be reached at amanda@catalystpublicschools.org.
Tiffany Hye, Coordinator: Family + Community Engagement
Tiffany Bianca Hye is my name. I am a wife to Curtis Hye and the mother of two amazing boys, Zion, and Zephan. I'm also an auntie who loves all of my nephews and nieces.
My career started out as a Flight Attendant for American West Airlines. When the company downsized I then decided to move back home. I enrolled in Olympic College seeking a business degree. I became a stay at home mom with my first child and when he started Head Start I began to volunteer in my son's school. I helped out with programs such as Motherread/Fatherread. Three years later I obtained a job at Teletech as a customer service agent. When Teletech decided to relocate, I started to work for "WIC" (Women, Infant and Children). I worked as a clerk and then a certifier for six years.
I am presently writing and completing my book called "Growing up Church'', which is my experience from childhood to adulthood. Growing up at Emmanuel Church in Bremerton had a large impact and has influenced my life goals. As I attended Emmanuel Church I held the position as a children's church teacher for ages 5-11 years old, Baby Dedication Coordinator and I helped coordinate and was a speaker for many of our community outreach events. I enjoy working in the community by connecting with as many people as I can.
Arrielle Temple, Office Coordinator
Ms. Temple has lived in Kitsap for more than 20 years and in Bremerton for 13. They've worked as a doula to support birthing and postpartum needs. Ms. Temple also worked as a peer supporg group leader. They have 3 children who attend Catalyst. In their spare time they enjoy relaxing with family and caring for houseplants.
Brittini Troyer, Coordinator: Office + Operations
Brittni was born and raised in Bremerton, Washington.
She grew up in a military family. A 2009 graduate at Central Kitsap High School, she also went to Olympic college.
She has 12 years of customer service experience within Kitsap county community. She has worked with the state as a care provider for special needs and within the school districts through Americorps.
She loves to spend time with her family exploring the PNW and traveling. Brittni joined catalyst to make a difference within her community and help make the scholars be the best version of themselves.
Stephanie Layson, Principal in Residence
Director of Special Education
Ms. Layson has been a stellar middle and high school educator for the past 15+ years. She is originally from a small town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in German language and Psychology. While completing an internship at a school for students with autism in Germany, she realized that teaching was her calling.
When Ms. Layson returned to the States, she was accepted into the DC Teaching Fellows program, an alternate route certification program through The New Teacher Project. Through this program, Ms. Layson earned her Master’s degree from George Washington University in Special Education. Ms. Layson taught in Washington, DC for 10 years in both traditional public schools and public charter schools; teaching 4th through 8th grade and almost every subject. She was also the Director of High School Placement, supporting students and families with obtaining scholarships and acceptance into the top high schools in the city and country. Ms. Layson currently resides in Tacoma.
When she's not teaching, you can find Ms. Layson hiking or kayaking with my husband and my corgi mix, Bill. Ms. Layson loves to get outdoors and enjoy all that the best coast has to offer. She am also an avid reader. Ms. Layson tries to keep up with young adult fiction, but she always appreciate a good murder mystery or thriller novel.