I believe the role of educators is to facilitate and support the curiosity of our youngest learners and future leaders. I am passionate about early education because three-year-olds are so close to the earth–literally and figuratively. They notice details in nature that others might walk past or take for granted. Children encourage us to stop and pause and listen to the world around us. They make astute observations and find joy in the everyday, seemingly small moments. I feel it is a teacher’s role to be an advocate for these young learners. I enjoy helping them find their voices and make connections through nature and through friendships in the classroom. Their discoveries and questions fuel our curriculum, helping us as educators to design our scope and sequence throughout the year and also fuel the drive within themselves to keep looking and exploring.

Being a teacher is the hardest and most rewarding work. Working with children in the classroom and out in nature reminds me of my own core values. Through my work with students, I cultivate patience, perseverance, and a constantly changing perspective. Three-year-olds never stop moving, changing, growing, and questioning. Taking care of them and supporting their growth and development is a true honor. It also allows me to participate in a world that I believe in, where anything and everything is possible.