Meet Our Teachers
Passionate educators. Caring mentors. Partners in your child's journey.
Behind every joyful classroom experience is a teacher who believes in the power of play, meaningful relationships, and helping every child feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
Meet Ms. Nadine
Program Director / Ladybug Tots and Butterfly Pre-K Teacher
Hi! I’m Nadine Duenas-Mart, Program Director and Lead Teacher at Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool. I’ve spent more than 15 years working in early childhood education, and I truly love helping young children discover the joy of learning.
I believe the preschool years are some of the most important in a child’s life. My goal is to create a classroom where children feel safe, confident, and excited to explore through hands-on learning. I love watching their curiosity grow as they build the skills, independence, and confidence they’ll carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.
One of the things I value most is building strong relationships with families. I believe children thrive when parents and teachers work together, and I want every family who joins our school to feel welcomed, supported, and like an important part of our preschool community.
When I’m not at school, you’ll usually find me spending time with my wife, Christine, who is a principal in the South Kitsap School District, our three children, and our adorable pets. As a family, we care deeply about education and love investing in the children and families in our community.
I’m so grateful to be part of the GHCP family and look forward to getting to know each child and family who walks through our doors!
Meet Ms. Courtney
Bumblebee 2s and Caterpillar 3s Teacher
Welcome! I'm so happy you're here.
I feel incredibly lucky to spend my days learning alongside young children. My hope is that every child who walks into our classroom feels safe, seen, loved, and excited to explore the world around them.
My journey with Gig Harbor Cooperative Preschool began as a parent when my daughter, Lila, attended school here. During that time, I volunteered in the classroom and served on the GHCP Board of Directors. Seeing the preschool through the eyes of both a parent and volunteer gave me a deep appreciation for the incredible community that makes GHCP so special.
Before joining the GHCP teaching team, I spent several years as a nanny, caring for children of all ages. Those experiences reinforced my passion for early childhood education and showed me just how much children grow through play, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. Joining GHCP felt like the perfect opportunity to give back to a community that has meant so much to my own family.
I believe children learn best through play, exploration, and strong relationships. My goal is to create a classroom where children feel confident to ask questions, use their imaginations, get messy, build friendships, and simply enjoy being kids. I hope every child leaves each day feeling proud of themselves, excited to come back, and knowing they are valued just as they are.
When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Peter, our daughter, Lila, and our five furry family members. We love camping, kayaking, trying new recipes, playing video games, and making memories together.
Thank you for trusting me with your little one. I look forward to partnering with your family as we learn, grow, explore, and create wonderful memories together.
A Few Favorites
We asked both of our teachers to share some fun facts!
Which Program is Right for My Child?
Every child grows at their own pace, and each of our programs is thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are. Explore our classes to find the best fit for your child's age, stage of development, and growing curiosity.