U.S. Air Force Veteran, Education Director and Head of School, Michelle recently won the Maine and New England Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year for the State of Maine in 2023. Michelle graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s in Health Science and served eight years in the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Medic. She opened the nature school in 2009 and has been dedicated to continuous professional development that supports Reggio inspired, nature based environments for young children.
Michelle’s vision is to provide a nature-based program in early childhood education and is deeply inspired by the “Reggio Emilia Approach.” She participated in a graduate study with the University Of Farmington in March of 2019, which provided graduate students theory and practical international experience including visits to preschools in Reggio Emilia Italy, presentations by pedagogistas, atelieristas, and teachers on the history, identity, and principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach. She had a remarkable opportunity to visit the Loris Malaguzzi International Center to view current exhibitions, and discussions with professors about Reggio-related theory and practice in their own settings, and since then has become even more passionate about fostering and delivering nature-based education and Reggio inspired environments for young children.
Her mission is to inspire students to become lifelong learners in an ever-changing world. Through the use of technology, field explorations, and engaging lesson plans, she wants to inspire them to become world-citizens that are ecologically conscientious, culturally sensitive, and passionately inquisitive. Furthermore, she aims to foster an environment of nurturing care, a classroom of unconditional love and acceptance while holding strong to a belief in personal responsibility.
Michelle’s vision is to provide a nature-based program in early childhood education and is deeply inspired by the “Reggio Emilia Approach.” She participated in a graduate study with the University Of Farmington in March of 2019, which provided graduate students theory and practical international experience including visits to preschools in Reggio Emilia Italy, presentations by pedagogistas, atelieristas, and teachers on the history, identity, and principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach. She had a remarkable opportunity to visit the Loris Malaguzzi International Center to view current exhibitions, and discussions with professors about Reggio-related theory and practice in their own settings, and since then has become even more passionate about fostering and delivering nature-based education and Reggio inspired environments for young children.
Miss Liz has been at KGE since January 2018. Her past 4 years being a part of this teaching team have been wonderful and she’s learned so much from her fellow educators and especially the kiddos. Miss Liz has successfully completed her education pathway to obtaining the Child Development Associate.
Before working here at Kidz Go Eco Miss Liz worked with children ages 5-14 at Standish Recreation as a summer camp counselor and an after school counselor.
After, working six years for OfficeDepot in their distribution center in Portland, Liz decided that she wanted to be working with children, and is so glad that she made the transition.
Some of my favorites things are being outdoors, video games, hiking, being near the water, spending time with my family, photography, exploring new areas with my better half, Erik, and playing with our kitty Ellie!
Working with kids is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I learn more from them each day. Their curious nature and wonders about the world around us are inspiring and I love learning new things about nature with them!
Joined the KGE family over 3 years ago. I grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. There was always hikes in the White Mountains and a lake to paddle on. My grandparents had and still own a farm just down the road from where I grew up. My childhood consisted of weekly Saturday night dinners with the whole family, planting the summer garden with my cousins, showing cows at the fairs, and stacking hay bales 6 levels high on the back of my grandpas truck. Family is the most important thing to me and I am lucky to have a large yet close family. I graduated from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Studies. Since graduating I have worked with kids in the school systems k-8 and eventually teaching in a preschool classroom for a Head Start program for near on 5 years. It was then that I found my niche and love for working with children.
Things I love are spending time with my husband Ben and going on adventures with my fur babies Minnie and Moose. Being outside is where I always want to be. To me, there’s nothing like a good walk. I also love rainy days, spending time in my garden, and reading a good book. I feel so blessed to be part of KGE and share my love of nature, books and singing!
Bryana was born and raised in Maine and her lifelong love of animals lead her towards a degree in Environmental Science from Endicott College. She fell in love with outdoor education by interning at both the Hotchkiss School’s Environmental Summer Portals and at Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center. Since then, Bryana has spent time working in many different childcare settings, such as Mass Audubon Blue Hills and Mad Science summer camps, nannying, after school care, in Special Education as an Educational Technician, and in outdoor schools.
Bryana is grateful to be able to combine her education experience with the outdoors alongside likeminded individuals! She absolutely loves going on trail walks with the kiddos, doing crafts, reading stories, and making them laugh!
In her spare time, she enjoys eating hummus and reading, as well as painting, hiking, and spending time with her partner, Alexander, their dog, Layla, and two cats, Dobby and Remy.
My name is Miss Emily! I am an educator in Nature 3! I started working at Kidz Go Eco as an intern back in September. I’m from Wrentham, Massachusetts and moved to Maine to study psychology at University of New England. After my internship, I discovered my passion for teaching early childhood education, and Miss Michelle was so wonderful to offer me a position. Some fun facts about me: I’ve been playing tennis for the last 8 years; I own quite a few animals: a dog named Coco, a cat named Skout, and two ferrets named Cayde and Azura.
Emma is thrilled to be joining the KGE team and continuing her passion of exploring the outside world with young learners! She graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in Environmental Studies and has a Masters from the University of Southern Maine in Education: Teaching and Learning. For the past few years, she taught 7th and 8th grade science and worked summers at Maine Audubon Preschool Camp.
Before moving to Maine, she was an environmental educator at zoos, aquariums and nature centers in Rhode Island, Washington State, upstate New York and Massachusetts. She grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts and has fond memories exploring tide pools, estuaries and quarries as a child. Emma lives in South Portland with her partner, Charles, their dog, Pepper, and leopard gecko, Chester. She is so excited to be able to spend time outdoors while learning alongside her KGE students. She absolutely loves preschoolers and the wonderful questions that guide their natural curiosities.
Ms. Judy graduated from Keene State College in NH, where she studied Elementary Education and English. She’s certified to teach grades K-8, and has recently taught 1st grade and Kindergarten! Judy will be assisting us this Summer, before she sets sail for another Kindergarten year coming this Fall, so we’re looking forward to having her join our team for a wonderful Summer Camp season in Maine!
Ms. Judy’s favorite books genres are ones that focus on moral lessons and social emotional teaching. She loves to spend time walking in nature, writing, reading, and enjoys life sciences. One of her hopes and dreams is to publish a children’s book in the future, and hopes to travels to other countries!
Jackie came to KGE after finishing her internship as a Recreational Therapist at NeuroRestorative in Standish, Maine. At NeuroRestorative, she worked throughout the community with clients who have suffered from brain injuries. Jackie and two of the Recreational Therapists hiked Mount Katahdin with four participants who were physically able to train for this exciting challenge this past year. Jackie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies in 2023 from the University of Southern Maine. She discovered her passion for working with children as a Behavioral Health Professional at Black Bear Support Services while in college. She assisted those children with developing new socialization opportunities, while encouraging their love of being outside, and achieving individual goals.
Jackie loves spending time with her dog, Cabella, traveling, hiking, swimming, skiing, or just being outside. She hopes to encourage kids to continue to learn and grow with the outdoors!
Miss Diane was born and brought up in Brockton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Brockton High School and Chamberlayne Jr. College, Boston. She has three grown children: Kristin, Timothy and Patrick, and she has three grandchildren: Josetta (Josie) 13, Declan 10, and Tadhg 7. She enjoys spending time with her family and she loves to cook Italian food. During the warmer months she finds joy in walking the beach, swimming and spending time in nature. Some of her greatest joys is going to watch her grandkids play soccer and sledding. She enjoys working with children and she adores their honesty and humor. She worked in the Portland Schools as an Ed Tech for over 30 years, and retired in 2020.
In fall of 2020, Kaela began her journey at kidz go eco as a psychology intern from the University of New England. This internship opportunity convinced her that she has a passion for teaching preschool-aged children. She loves that she can interact creatively with the kids and develop activities that will allow them to freely learn in an outdoor environment. Some of her favorite things to do with the kiddos is go on trail walks and use a variety of methods for art activities. Since graduating in May 2021 with a BA in Psychology, Kaela has chosen to pursue a Master’s in Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.), which she begins in September 2022.
In Kaela’s spare time, she loves singing, playing video games both alone and with buddies, spending time with family and pets, and going to the beach. She also loves to watch the hummingbirds and bumblebees flourish in her garden!
Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Maine in May 2023 with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She is certified to teach children K-3. Kaitlyn grew up right here in sunny Saco Maine, and has worked as a summer camp councilor, daycare aid for work study during her time at university, a BHP in the summer of 2020, and has recently completed her student teaching experience. She has a passion for working with young children and providing them with a collaborative and respectful learning environment. She is excited to be with us for our summer camp this year and to learn more about how nature can be incorporated in the classroom!
During her free time Kaitlyn loves exploring the outdoors going on nature walks, walks on the beach collecting rocks and seaglass treasures, and has recently started to teach herself how to crochet!
Mr. Lotus is the Eco Mascot and one of the trail guides at kidz go eco. His mother is Ms. Michelle and when she went through a Brain Tumor operation in Boston in 2015 and 2022 they became inseparable through her journey and recovery. Since then Lotus has dedicated his work on building social skills and developing bonds where he can offer healing and support. He participated in canine training classes so he could learn to be gentle and understand to be an attentive listener for safety. His bond and trust with mother has grown so deeply that she finally brought Mr. Lotus on board as one of the fellow team members at kge. He looks forward to meeting your child and taking walks on the Lotus Loop Trail!
My mother is Miss Michelle and I met her when I was 3 months old. She was preparing for a Brain Tumor operation in Boston and we became inseparable through her journey and recovery. Since, her operation I’ve dedicated my work on building social skills and developing bonds where I can offer healing and support. I participated in canine training classes so I could learn to be gentle and understand to be an attentive listener for safety. My bond and trust with mother has grown so deeply that she finally brought me on board as one of the fellow team members at kge. I look forward to meeting your child and taking walks on the Lotus Loop Trail!
Miss Moriah grew up on the coast of Maine. She moved south to attend university and study Public Health in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was there, during an internship with Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, that she discovered her passion for working with children, inspired by their curiosity and creativity.
Since then, Miss Moriah has continued to seek opportunities to share her passion for plants, animals, and the outdoors with kids. She directed youth programs on a farm in Northern California and taught garden-based lessons in Portland elementary schools. After pivoting to a job in marketing, she missed spending her days with kids and began volunteering at KGE on Tuesdays.
Miss Moriah is excited to join the KGE team full-time this fall and spend every day learning and exploring the natural world alongside the kids.
Some of Miss Moriah’s favorite things to do are garden, cook, share meals with her friends and family, create art, hike, and spend time by the ocean.
Grace graduated from Thornton Academy in 2020. While Grace was in high school, she gained experience nurturing young children in many environments, including summer camp, after school care, dance class, and in the classroom. Grace is currently working towards a degree in English at the University of Southern Maine.
When Grace is not working, she enjoys playing video games, dancing, listening to music, playing with her dog, Callie, and making crafts. She is excited to have the opportunity to work in an educational environment, and to learn from and guide the students at Kidz Go Eco!
As the proverb illustrates, it takes a village to raise a child and for a small independent school it takes the thoughtful efforts and creative resources of the community to educate the village’s children.We are deeply grateful for your willingness to support our nature school, whether monetary, contributions of classroom supplies/equipment/furniture, kind words of encouragement, lifting our educators spirits with a special thank you, or your own unique offering. Your donation makes a difference and with your generosity and thoughtfulness, kidz go eco is a very special place for all the children that attend our school. We want to thank you for all your in kind support!
