Edmonds

Lauren graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Environmental Sustainability in 2016. Soon after, she moved to California to work in Outdoor Education as a Naturalist Intern. She quickly discovered the joy of teaching and working outside. After two years in residential outdoor education, she moved to Fresno and obtained her Multi-Subject Teaching Credential. Lauren taught 4th grade for a year before returning to outdoor education with a local Land Trust. While there, she had the opportunity to design the first nature-based preschool enrichment program in Fresno.

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Through her work co-creating the preschool with her students and staff, Lauren fell more in love with the magic of place-based, child-led learning. She believes that all people are naturally curious, capable, and full of potential. By building connections with one another and outdoor spaces, children (and adults!) can become empowered stewards of their community and the Earth as a whole. Lauren chose to move to Washington to continue pursuing the wonderful world of forest education with an inspiring community of mentors.

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In her free time, Lauren loves reading, playing board games, hiking, kayaking, birding, and spending time with her three dogs. She enjoys engaging her senses through nature journaling, painting, yoga, mindfulness, feeling patches of soft moss, and smelling trees. Lauren is excited to immerse herself into the wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

Abbi graduated from the University of Washington with her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies, Teaching and Learning in 2023. She has taught in classrooms with children from zero to twelve and provided in-home childcare for numerous families. She is also a freelance writer, working towards a future where she writes and illustrates children's stories. Abbi is eager to step outside the walls of the traditional classroom and join the Magnolia team in the forest this school year!

Growing up as a Girl Scout, the outdoors are a place where Abbi feels she's done some of her most meaningful learning. From building fairy houses out of twigs to investigating various fruits and bugs, she has felt the freedom that being within nature can give a child. Abbi has remained connected to the outdoors through biking, swimming, hiking, and many moments of mindfulness.

At UW, Abbi learned the value of high-quality early learning and shifted her views on the traditional classroom setting. She's gotten to understand the benefits of play-based, child-led learning environments from textbooks and professors, making her more ready than ever to feel the magic for herself. This school year Abbi is dedicated to helping students to see each other as sources of knowledge, use their creativity as solutions, and develop relationships with nature built on respect.

Amirah is an artist and educator originally from Phoenix, Arizona. She holds a Master's degree in Fine Art from the Pacific North West College of Art, and a Bachelor's in Fine Art from Arizona State University. Amirah moved to the PNW to be close to nature and expand her creative horizons. Her artwork thematically centers on nature-inspired imagery that evokes feelings of wonder, joy, and curiosity. She applies her artistic philosophy to education, with the strong belief that the key to early development is a genuine connection to the natural world. At Magnolia, she hopes to foster creativity through outdoor discovery and play. In her free time, she likes to hike, read, camp, and relax with her partner Daniel and her cat, Panda.

Luci grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, spending as much time outdoors as possible and frequently embarking on road trips across the neighboring states. Her passion for nurturing young minds began at an early age when she started babysitting and was captivated by observing children develop problem-solving skills through play.

Luci’s teaching journey began at an indoor/outdoor program, where she firsthand witnessed the cognitive, social, and physical benefits of engaging with nature through open play. This experience set her on a dedicated path to seek out opportunities that empower children to build essential social and emotional skills, preparing them to handle life’s surprises with confidence.

In her personal time, Luci is still a fan of exploring what nature has to offer. She fills her home with plants and enjoys immersing herself in the beauty of the natural world. Luci is thrilled to join the Magnolia family, where she sees a shared commitment to empowering both teachers and students to embody the values that foster children's success. She is eager to contribute her enthusiasm and expertise to create enriching and memorable experiences for all her students.

Adriaan was born in California, but was raised in Spokane, Washington. There he spent his
summers at the YMCA Camp Reed as a camper, eventually working there as a counselor for a
few summers. He then attended the University of Washington at Bothell and received a B.A. in
Environmental Studies in 2020. During and after college, he worked in the food service industry.
After quitting his job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023, he sought a new career path
that would be fulfilling and maybe even fun. He hopes to eventually return to school to pursue a
degree in education to eventually become a traditional teacher.
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Adriaan is excited to begin his new phase in life by teaching young learners to appreciate and
enjoy nature! While not at Magnolia, he enjoys cycling in the forest, making pasta, and listening
to new music.