Colleen Smith, Director
Born and raised in Yakima, Colleen’s fondest childhood memories are filled with adventures outdoors alongside her brothers. Today, as a mother of three, she is deeply passionate about inspiring children across the valley to explore and connect with nature as much as possible.
Colleen earned her B.A. in Biology from the University of Montana in 2007. After college, she became a guide for Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures, where she discovered her love for outdoor education. It was there that she saw firsthand how powerful learning in nature could be—not only were children experiencing exciting adventures, but they were also gaining confidence, building meaningful relationships, and developing valuable life skills.
Fueled by her passion for teaching, Colleen pursued and completed a Master in Teaching degree through a residency-based program. She went on to teach 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 5th grade math and science in public elementary schools throughout the Yakima Valley. In the fall of 2017, she expanded her expertise by graduating from Cedarsong Nature School’s Forest Kindergarten Teacher Certification Program, further solidifying her commitment to outdoor education.
Colleen lives in Yakima with her husband, Patrick, and their three children: Caroline (14), Luke (8), and Keira (4), along with their dog, Poppy, and their cat, Hairy Pawter. When she’s not at Sol Shine, you can find her adventuring with her kids, diving into the latest book club read, paddleboarding on the Yakima River, or skiing at White Pass.
Her journey reflects a lifelong dedication to education, adventure, and inspiring the next generation to love the great outdoors.
Emily Gamache, Lead Teacher, Incoming Director
Emily Gamache was born and raised in Moxee, Washington, where she grew up surrounded by the beauty of farm life and a love for the outdoors. Coming from a large, close-knit family, she learned early on the value of community, hard work, and spending time in nature.
Her journey as an early childhood educator began shortly after high school when she became a Montessori teacher at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, WA. There, she discovered her passion for nurturing young minds and creating joyful learning environments. Emily went on to lead the preschool program for 10 years at the highly regarded Little Darling School in Bellingham, WA, where she was known for her warmth, creativity, and dedication to her students.
A lover of music and movement, Emily never misses an opportunity to spread joy through dancing. When winter arrives, you can find her hitting the slopes at White Pass or enjoying a cozy, competitive game of Scrabble.
Emily joined Sol Shine as a Lead Teacher in 2023, bringing her extensive experience and passion for early childhood education. She is thrilled to be stepping into the role of Director/Lead Teacher for the 2025/2026 school year, where she looks forward to continuing Sol Shine’s tradition of fostering curiosity, community, and a love of learning in the great outdoors.
Brayden Morrison, Assistant Teacher
Brayden Morrison was born and raised in Yakima, Washington. A self-proclaimed “jack of all trades,” he has explored various fields of work, including photography, contractor work, online affiliate marketing, and starting a small junk removal business. His journey in education began in 2023 when he started substituting at Sol Shine and later went on to work as a para-educator for the Yakima School District. He officially joined Sol Shine as an Assistant Teacher for the 2024/2025 school year.
Brayden has a deep compassion for nature and loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s camping, hiking, or traveling across the U.S. with his partner. He also enjoys climbing trees and learning about the diverse plant and animal life at the Arboretum, which he enthusiastically shares with the children. One of his favorite parts of working at Sol Shine is witnessing the children conquer their fears, gain confidence, and develop their own appreciation for the natural world.
Danny Schuppe, Substitute Teacher
For Danny, the Yakima Area Arboretum feels like home. He spent a great deal of his childhood exploring and playing on the grounds (hey, that's what happens when your mom is the director).
After graduating from high school Danny, started working at the Arboretum's “Nature Day Camp”. Here, he discovered his love for working with children. This discovery lead to him working as a Para-educator in the Yakima School District.
Over the past few years of working at the arboretum Danny has found a real interest in insects. One of his goals is to catalog all of the insects that can be found on grounds. Many of the bugs he’s been able to identify are thanks to our very own preschoolers who turn out to be great bug finders.
When Danny isn’t at Sol Shine or searching for bugs, he’ll probably be camping, spending time with friends, hiking, or attempting to whittle something.