LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS TEAMS
Tatiana Epanchin, Co-Founder
Prior to launching Catalyst Ms. Epanchin was the Head of Program at School Leader Lab, a school leadership development program, she 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
Prior to launching Catalyst Ms. Gardner was the VP, Schools at Innovate Public Schools. In this role she founded Innovate's World-Class Schools Fellowship, a year-long school design program helping to redesign and launch new, equity driven schools. Ms. Gardner also designed and launched Innovate's Charter School Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. Before coming to Innovate, she 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.
Ms. Gardner 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.
Ms. Gardner can be reached at amanda@catalystpublicschools.org.
Dustin Church, Director of Finance and Operations
Prior to starting at Catalyst, Mr. Church was the Director of Finance and Administration for Engineered Software in Lacey, WA. While at Engineered Software, Mr. Church 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, he 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.
Mr. Church 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, Mr. Church loves to spend time with his wife, 2 children, and 2 dogs, exploring the pacific northwest and traveling.
Mr. Church can be reached at dchurch@catalystpublicschools.org.
Stephanie Layson, Director of Support Services and Post Secondary Success
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. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in German language and Psychology. Ms. Layson also 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.
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When she's not teaching, you can find Ms. Layson hiking or kayaking with her husband and her corgi mix, Bill. Ms. Layson loves to get outdoors and enjoy all that the best coast has to offer. She is also an avid reader. Ms. Layson tries to keep up with young adult fiction, but she always appreciates a good murder mystery or thriller novel.
John Bachner, Assistant Principal, Grades K-4
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.
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Alex Pacifico, Assistant Principal, Grades 5-8
​Ms. Pacifico is thrilled to step into the role of Assistant Principal this year and continue serving the vibrant Bremerton community. She joined Catalyst in 2021 as a dedicated middle school teacher, bringing a passion for student growth, literacy, and joyful learning to the classroom.
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Ms. Pacifico began her teaching career in 2017 as a 6th grade teacher after graduating from the University of Denver. Her favorite subjects to teach have been reading and Change Maker Space—where she loves guiding students in building creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. Before moving into middle school education, she taught preschool and spent a year teaching English in Fukuoka, Japan.
Originally from Denver, Alex relocated to Washington four years ago. Outside of school, she enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, and soaking up sunshine whenever she can. When indoors, she can often be found reading a good book or caring for her ever-growing collection of houseplants.
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Ms. Pacifico looks forward to supporting students, families, and staff in this new chapter as an instructional leader and partner in learning.
Troy Mix, Manager of Scholar Experience
Troy “TMix” Mix is a proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, affectionately known for his deep love of Mardi Gras, family, food, and music. From an early age, Mr. Mix was immersed in a culture of care, learning, and community foundations that now drives his lifelong commitment to supporting the mental, physical, and social growth of young people.
A graduate of Southern University with a degree in Business Administration, Mr. Mix later earned a Master’s in Public Administration with a minor in Personnel Management from Troy State University. While his academic journey demonstrated a strong scholarly drive, it was his personal relationships… as a father to Troy Mix Jr., a mentor, and a community leader, that revealed his true calling: uplifting and guiding youth.
This realization inspired Mr. Mix to return to Southern University, where he earned both a K–12 teaching certification and a Master’s in Education. Although education wasn’t his initial career path, his ability to inspire others and build meaningful connections became the fuel for his passion.
As a result, relationship-building has become the cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. With over two decades of experience across public and private education systems, as well as in parks, churches, and community organizations, Mr. Mix has served in numerous roles: student, parent, educator, administrator, athletic director, coach, trainer, mentor, and mental health professional. Most recently, he served as Dean of Culture and Instruction at Summit Sierra, where his work closely aligned with the school’s mission to mentor students and help them discover their passions and future paths.
Now, as Manager of Scholar Experience at Catalyst Public Schools, Mr. Mix brings a deep belief that cultivating strong, authentic relationships is the foundation of impactful leadership. He continues to give of himself with heart, humility, and unwavering dedication to the students and families he serves, proudly affirming, “I love what I do and absolutely adore those that I serve.”
Kyle Bobay, Manager of Special Projects
Mr. 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.
Mr. Bobay 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. Mr. Bobay also holds a MBA in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
When Mr. Bobay 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.
Lauren Carpenter, Office Coordinator
Ms. Carpenter (she/her). I was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I recently moved to Bremerton to be near family and I am looking forward to becoming part of the community.
Professionally my background has been in administration or working with children. She is excited to combine the two with a role at Catalyst. She studied Iyengar Yoga and continue my education with the pursuit of a degree in Early Childhood Education.
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She has a daughter who attends school at Catalyst and also has a cat who thinks he is a dog. Ms. Carpenter enjoys going on walks, camping and snowboarding. Passions are spending time with my family, cooking and traveling the world! She is a positive person– who believes in being kinder than necessary and leaving things nicer than how you found them.
Tiffany Hye, Coordinator: Family + Community Engagement
Ms. Hye is a devoted wife to Curtis Hye and a proud mother to two sons, Zion and Zephan. Her professional journey began in the skies as a Flight Attendant with American West Airlines. After the airline downsized, Tiffany chose to return home and explore other educational opportunities.
As her first child began attending Head Start, Ms. Hye made the transition to being a stay-at-home mother, immersing herself in volunteer work at his school. Her involvement in programs like Motherread/Fatherread ignited a passion for community engagement, which eventually led her to a role at Teletech as a customer service agent. When Teletech relocated, Ms. Hye found her calling at Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), where she spent six years, first as a clerk and then as a certifier.
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Ms. Hye's current work is centered around community organizing, where she collaborates with Catalyst families and the broader community to teach organizing principles and advocate for meaningful change. Through her involvement with Emmanuel Church, Ms. Hye has furthered her commitment to service. She has served as a children's church teacher, Baby Dedication Coordinator, and is now a strategies and organizing leader. Her work has also included speaking engagements and coordinating outreach events.
With a strong passion for fostering connections, Ms. Hye is dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact in her community.
Alison Michaels-Dyckman, Nutrition Specialist and Operations Coordinator
Ms. Michaels-Dyckman (she/her) is one of the newest additions to Catalyst Public School. After working in the nursing field for over two decades, Ms. Michaels-Dyckman transitioned into dietary and nutrition management three years ago. She seems to have fallen into the perfect spot at Catalyst, working full time in nutrition services and part time as an assistant in the health room. Ms. Michaels-Dyckman believes in keeping a strong sense of community and is proud to be able to contribute to the Catalyst Team, focusing on some of our scholar’s most basic needs: nourishment, comfort, and empathetic care.
Ms. Michaels-Dyckman was born and raised in New Jersey and moved to Kitsap County in 1999. Over the last 25+ years, she has traveled the country and experienced all manner of living, but the Pacific Northwest has always been the one place that feels like home. Ms. Michaels-Dyckman lives in Port Orchard with her wife, daughter, and two sons. They have a lively home, regularly full of friends, family, four cats, a dog, and lots of extra kids. In her spare time, you can find Alison travel planning, bird-watching, reading, and doing her best to follow a simple life guideline, “Treat people with kindness.”
Jennifer Patrow, School Nurse
Mrs. Patrow graduated from the OHSU School of Nursing in 1997 and has accumulated a wide range of nursing experience, including inpatient care, rural healthcare with 15 years in Indonesia, hospice care, and school and camp nursing. She joined the Catalyst team in December 2021 and is also a Catalyst parent. In her leisure time, she enjoys creative writing for fun.
Arrielle Temple, Office Coordinator
​Mx. 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. Mx. Temple also worked as a peer support group leader. In their spare time they enjoy relaxing with family and caring for houseplants.
Brad Thuring, Nutrition Specialist and Operations Coordinator
Mr. T is excited to be a member of the Catalyst team and thrilled to watch Catalyst grow within the Kitsap community.
Mr. T was born and raised in Eastern Washington. After Graduating from high school, Brad enlisted and served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps. Brad has served at Camp Pendleton CA, Okinawa Japan, Desert Storm and Shield. During his Marine Corps career, he married his wife and began a family of 3 daughters.
Upon discharge from the Marine Corps, Brad moved to NY to Attend the Culinary Institute of America. After graduation from the CIA, Brad worked for a Long Island bakery before moving to Port Orchard, Washington. Mr. T and his wife raised their 3 daughters in Port Orchard, graduating from South Kitsap High School.
Mr. T and his family including 5 grandchildren have been residents of Kitsap County for 20 plus years. He has worked in multiple restaurants and businesses in Kitsap, Peirce, and King county with various titles such as Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Lead Line Cook. When Mr. T isn't working in the community he enjoys his aquariums, outdoors, camping, cycling, spending time with his family.
Moneica Thuring, Operations Coordinator
Ms. Thuring is excited for her first year at Catalyst! She was born in San Diego, California, but has lived in Washington for most of her life. Ms. Thuring has a background in nursing, more specifically taking care of people living with Dementia and Alzheimers, along with a background in Social Media and Marketing!
When she is not working you can find her hanging out with her dogs ( a lab and husky)! She enjoys taking them on spontaneous adventures! She also loves to traveling and trying new kinds foods, she dreams of living aboard one day. Ms. Thuring is huge on family and loves spending time with her nieces and nephew! She is very grateful to be apart of the Catalyst family and excited to be working around so many great people! This is just the beginning and its only going to get better from here!
Ryan Soper, Transportation Lead
With over six years of transportation and logistics experience, Ryan ensures safe, reliable student transportation at Catalyst Public Schools. His diverse background in youth mental health, IT, Design and Photography brings a unique perspective to his work.
Deeply connected to Catalyst’s mission and model, Ryan finds his greatest fulfillment serving his community and supporting its youth. Outside of work, Ryan’s usually with his family, making art, snapping photos or tinkering on his ’72 MGB.—though admittedly the car tests his patience as much as it brings him joy.
Note: Some staff are not listed on the website based upon their preferences.