Jes is from Charleston, SC and grew up spending most of her childhood outside either at the beach or with neighborhood friends. Having two younger siblings with a range of disabilities, from deafness to autism, she learned the power of early childhood practices and the power of learning through play. This led her to earning her bachelors in Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of Washington. She became an advocate for outdoor education after student teaching in an outdoor preschool in Norway where she saw the benefits of outdoor play first hand.
She has both a deep love for nature and a passion for exploration through travel. She believes that many lessons are learned through personal experience, and cherish her time traveling via motorbike, train, and boat across parts of Europe, South East Asia, and Australia. Working for National Geographic eco cruise ships for several years also showed her some of nature's gems, and provoked a deeper desire for conservation and preserving natural spaces. Washington is one of her favorite places in the world and feels lucky to be so close to both mountains and the ocean.
Jes believes that the formative years are critical for healthy brain development and that play is essential. Play fosters neurological development ranging from memory, perception, imaginative play, self regulation, motor skills, and so much more! Play is the language of childhood, it is our responsibility to allow children to have that voice and to explore the world around them as they grow.