Kailina Mills, EdD.
Farm & Forest Preschool Director
Raised in South Portland, Kailina comes to Ketcha with over 15 years of experience in childcare and education. She started as a camp counselor and has since received a BA in Early Childhood Education, Outdoor Education, and Inclusive Teaching, an M.Ed. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education, and her EdD from Fielding Graduate University in Leadership for Change. Kailina is a Reggio Emilia-trained educator and is passionate about providing high-quality learning opportunities for our youngest students.
She recognizes the importance of early childhood education in setting children up for long-term success, both in and out of the classroom. Before joining Ketcha Outdoors, Kailina taught preschool, public pre-k, and kindergarten in several schools throughout southern and midcoast Maine. Most recently, she worked as a Learning Specialist at Chewonki Elementary & Middle School and as a Communications Specialist for the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. In her spare time, Kailina can be found hiking on trails, making music, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.
Brittney Austin
Lead Preschool Teacher
Brittney was raised in the Boston area and spent her summers in Ocean Park, Maine, where she fell in love with the natural world—swimming in the ocean, exploring tide pools, and building forts in the forest with neighborhood friends. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Rhode Island in 2010, then moved to Colorado, where she spent the next decade immersed in both mountain landscapes and early childhood education. There, she completed her Master’s Degree through a partnership between the University of Colorado at Denver and Boulder Journey School, engaging deeply with the Reggio Emilia philosophy for six years. Now back in New England, Brittney brings with her a passion for outdoor exploration, child-centered learning, and community connection. On weekends, she’s often found with her husband and daughter adventuring along the coast or wandering local trails and forests.
Thursday Sharon
Lead Preschool Teacher
Zoe Johnson
Asst. Preschool Te
acher
Chloe Pascale
Asst. Preschool Teacher
Chloe has her Associate’s Degree in Education from Southern Maine Community College. She hopes to continue her education at the University of Southern Maine while teaching. She came to Ketcha Outdoors in 2024 as a summer camp counselor and worked our aftercare program during the school year.
Chloe’s goal as a teacher is to build trusting relationships to create a healthy and positive learning environment. She believes in equity for all students’ success by recognizing their individual needs. In her free time, she loves spending time at the beach, pet sitting, and hanging out with her younger siblings. “I love Ketcha because I can share my love for nature and learning with my students!”
Lucia Stancioff
Executive Director
Lucia has spent her career focused on creating equitable experiences for children to learn through play in early childhood and outdoor education settings. With a background in environmental education, early childhood development, and organizational development, she brings both passion and experience to Ketcha Outdoors.Lucia’s leadership and nonprofit experience started at Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center, where she started as a camper and progressed through the leadership program to later become a counselor, alumni coordinator, and eventually, president of the board. There, she worked to ensure the mission of affordable environmental education for Maine children. After graduating from Dickinson College with a BA in Psychology with an early childhood and cultural focus, Lucia worked as a pre-school teacher for 3-5 year olds in Maine and Vermont.
Before Ketcha Outdoors, Lucia worked for nearly two decades at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), where, as Deputy Director, she played a key role in the organization’s growth and success, including the building of its facility at Thompson’s Point and the growth and diversification of its visitation. She oversaw the financial health of the organization, worked with the program team to diversify and grow revenues, led the organization’s policy and HR efforts, and helped develop a new social-emotional learning strategy to further the mission.
Born and rooted in Maine, Lucia brings her passion for the environment and community (and a true appreciation for the right gear for exploring the outdoors!) to Ketcha Outdoors. Lucia spends most of her free time with her partner and two playful children at the beach, exploring the woods, sledding, riding bikes, and gathering together with friends and family.
