I grew up in Martinez, California. I spent most of my childhood exploring the hills beyond my family’s home and in my father’s garden.  As a young child, my fondest memories were spent in nature, finding joy in the elements each season brought. This early relationship with nature has guided my work in the field of early childhood education and nature-based learning.    

After receiving my Bachelor of Science degree at Sonoma State University in 2004, I realized I could integrate my passion for working with young children and exploring the natural world.  I spent an additional three years getting my Masters in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Education, specializing in garden/nature-based learning. During this time, I worked as a teacher/garden coordinator at Old Firehouse Preschool, where I implemented a small gardening program and taught the children about the importance of growing and harvesting our own food.  For three years, I taught in a mixed age Waldorf Kindergarten under the mentorship of many trained Waldorf teachers.

As an outdoor and early childhood educator, I am committed to fostering positive and meaningful experiences with children in nature. I am passionate about supporting young children through movement, storytelling, and honoring children’s interests through play in the natural world. I find children learn best when they are celebrated for who they are and the unique qualities they bring.

Five years ago, I developed a mixed age forest Kindergarten class for an outdoor homeschool enrichment program, which is now called Wild Oak Forest. I have also taught at Oakland’s Early Ecology Forest School, where I co-taught with Debi and spent my days in the forest with preschoolers. I am passionate about collaborating with other educators, connecting young children and their families with wild spaces and continuing my education. I have always been an advocate for the beautiful wild spaces in my community, especially all of our Regional parks. I believe the children I teach, are my best teachers.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three daughters, Asilee, Fiona and Marleigh, gardening, hiking, camping and finding joy in all we do!

I was born and raised in Montana where I experienced camping, big skies, open spaces; and pure delight in mountain lakes and rivers at an early age. I have fond memories of playing outdoors freely with kids in my neighborhood for hours on end in all seasons. My early relationship with Nature has remained a constant thread in my life. It continues to provide me solace and resilience, and feeds a lifelong passion for staying curious and playful.

I’ve been an Early Childhood Educator since 2012. Along my journey, I’ve been a visiting English and swimming instructor at an international school in Japan. For six years I taught and learned from preschoolers at Early Ecology Forest School in Oakland, CA. I have also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children and I was a Human Resources Director at a non-profit for many years.

I’m committed to the conservation of wild places, and cultivating the importance of deeply connecting to nature. I value and support children in discovering and developing at their own unique pace, and enjoy bringing the magic of sensory learning through art, natural materials, movement, and extended periods of exploration within the natural world.

I’m a nature photographer and have been told by colleagues and families that young children bring out a special joy in me!

My formal education includes: BA in Liberal Studies, studies in Waldorf Education, Human Development, and Early Childhood Education, as well as continuing education on topics of emergent and anti-bias curriculum, nature-based arts and crafts, natural dyeing, and plant-based ink-making.