We are thrilled to announce our new teacher—Teacher James! Here’s some information about her:

I have spent the last 14 years as an educator working with early learners here in Tacoma, singing many circle time songs, playing silly games outside, creating fun art, and sharing in learning about the world around us. Working with children and sharing in their discoveries and successes brings me so much joy! I truly believe that respect is the heartbeat of early learning. Creating a space where children feel safe and genuinely valued gives them the foundation to build meaningful friendships and engage deeply with their surroundings.

My background includes being a nature preschool teacher for 12 years and also working in Transitional Kindergarten classrooms in our public schools. I’ve also been an educator at an arboretum in Hawaii and at a nature center in Houston! I love bringing elements of nature into the classroom! In my own schooling I focused on both Environmental and Elementary Education, earning my Washington State Teaching Certificate through The University of Washington.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my family! Together we enjoy hiking, camping, and going on road trip adventures for weeks at a time. We also enjoy being right at home playing games, working in the yard, and snuggling with our cat and dog!