Community. Creativity. Connection.

Summer is the founder and director of The Nature School. She has been teaching, mentoring and connecting children, parents and educators with nature and community for more than 20 years. 

As a postpartum doula, Reggio-Emilia inspired early childhood educator, teacher educator, preschool administrator, and early childhood development researcher, Summer has dedicated her career to building nature-based community, curriculum, and programming for children and families. 
 

Shaped by the Rocky Mountains where she spent her childhood, and by the Coast Salish Territory where she is raising her family, Summer's talents include weaving communities of families through seasonal celebrations, translating stories caught on the wind, and following children down woodland fairy trails. She loves hiking, singing, and whispering messages into small stones before sending them soaring into the ocean.

Summer has a BA in Cultural Geography and MA in Educational Psychology.

Beth is from the UK and has a background in museum and heritage education. She has also taught preschool and kindergarten in Japan and Thailand and has worked in childcare settings in the Seattle area. 

As a lead teacher for preschool, after-school and summer camp programs at Nature School, Beth's favorite activities are getting hands-on in the mud kitchen and doing creative art activities. She loves helping children to connect to nature through songs, dance and sensory exploration. 

Born in the Philippines and having grown up in Shoreline, Amber feels immensely grateful for the lush green nature that is the PNW. Amber carries a sense of curiosity and knack for exploration into her work helping children foster curiosity and develop a deep relationship with nature.

Amber is studying Community, Environment & Planning and Geography with a minor in Urban Ecological Design at the University of Washington. In her academic journey, she finds passion in the reciprocal relationships between people and the environment in urban spaces, with projects focusing on the role of gardens in community building.

Amber is an intern and substitute teacher at The Nature School, and an intern with SER-UW Native Plant Nursery.