# data[].attributes.body
My name is Emma! I am 25 years old, currently live in Orange County, and lead the preschool program at the Environmental Nature Center Nature Preschool in Newport Beach, a job I have held almost a year now. I received my Bachelor's degree from UC Irvine in September 2018, in Education Sciences. That included minors in both Psychology & Social Behavior (PSB), and Philosophy... for fun. This is my last course before completing my Masters in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership and Change and let me tell y'all, I am STOKED about that.

I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for almost 7 years now and, despite the many challenges along the way, have loved every minute of it all. I know without a doubt that this is the field for me and that I am living out my passion every day. With this degree, I hope to continue down a path towards writing a nature-based trauma response curriculum for early childhood education, and implementing it in programs just like mine!

# data[].attributes.body
The truth is, I usually look like this, and can be found doing any number of wild things out in the wild with my kiddos. I LOVE my job! The Nature Preschool is hands down the greatest center, with the most incredible philosophy and practices, that I have ever encountered, let alone worked for as an educator.

# data[].attributes.body
Given the nature, pun intended, of my center, I get to spend almost the entire day outdoors with my kids, hiking through our trails, visiting our partner organization, spending time with some neat creatures, gardening, playing in the mud, and much more. I truly believe this is one of the best, most organic forms of learning possible and am both honored and in awe that I get to take part in it every day.

# data[].attributes.body
Here I am, taking some of my kids on one of those hikes! I could not believe that a school which combines two of my greatest loves, teaching and the outdoors, existed when I discovered this gem. To call it rewarding would be a gross understatement.

# data[].attributes.headline
Creatures upon creatures upon creatures!

# data[].attributes.subject
Creatures upon creatures upon creatures!

# data[].attributes.body
One of the many interesting things about my center is absolutely all of our animal friends, which are incorporated into our curriculum all the time. One of my personal favorites is pictured here: Newton, the bearded dragon. Did you know some of them like to cuddle? Neither did I. Did I EVER think that my teaching career would allow me to discover that? Nope. But I am absolutely here for it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The tarantula that I am still not brave enough to hold.

# data[].attributes.body
In the (very little) free time I have, I play rugby for a women's team in Long Beach! I've played for the last 11 years now, and it has completely changed my life.

# data[].attributes.body
Action shot!

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Pumpkin the snake! And there are many more! 

# data[].attributes.body
I have been on MANY! If you could not tell yet, I love being outside, whether it is hiking, camping, the beach, or just being under the sun in general. I have been super fortunate to travel to a few gorgeous places, like Alaska (pictured above), Nicaragua, Nepal, and Yosemite.

# data[].attributes.body
This truly prompted me to think hard about all the examples of leaders I have, or have had, in my life. I wish I could say that my current director is one of them, but that would not be honest of me. Nor do I think I have met a director yet that could fit this prompt, either. What comes to mind first is a couple of coaches that I have had over my years playing rugby, one in college, and one in an adult league. They both exuded such a pure form of honest, determined, and dedicated leadership, in my opinion. They were fair, level-headed, focused, and great at communication. They shared themselves with us personally and committed to the team and its needs, schedules, etcetera, with so much genuine gusto. Those two coaches are the kind of people that make you want to believe in whatever it is they do; they are just that inspiring. That is one of the most crucial qualities of an effective leader for me, that ability to inspire others to work towards achieving one goal for intrinsic reasons.

I am looking forward to learning with everyone! Best of luck this session. (:

# data[].attributes.body
Without a doubt, one of my favorite places in the world. My dad and I plan to climb Half Dome, which you can see here, this year!

# data[].attributes.body
Here he is, my hiking partner, my dad!

# data[].attributes.body
The rest of my family! Left to right, my sister-in-law and sister, who just had their FIRST baby (!!!), my mom, and my "little" brother!