https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87 Also responds to "hey teachewwwww" en-us 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC 2025-12-08 21:23:42 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Apple.png emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006543 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. ]]> 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006543 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006545 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.]]> 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006545 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006548 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. ]]> 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006548 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006549 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. ]]> 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006549 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006550 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! ]]> 2022-01-11 21:12:08 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987006550 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987073257 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. ]]> 2022-01-11 22:14:03 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987073257 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987079934 2022-01-11 22:22:06 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987079934 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987087226 2022-01-11 22:29:13 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987087226 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987087988 2022-01-11 22:29:49 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987087988 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987096764 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! ]]> 2022-01-11 22:39:30 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987096764 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987099620 Here he is, my hiking partner, my dad!]]> 2022-01-11 22:41:41 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987099620 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987101455 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! ]]> 2022-01-11 22:43:38 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987101455 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987103568 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. ]]> 2022-01-11 22:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987103568 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987104236 Action shot!]]> 2022-01-11 22:46:41 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987104236 emmajripplinger https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987113705 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. (:]]> 2022-01-11 22:57:45 UTC https://padlet.com/emmajripplinger/vjplt3h5x579ro87/wish/1987113705