Mari Ohta is the Director of The Children's Garden and is responsible for all aspects of The Children's Garden. Mari is also the lead teacher. Her duties include: planning the rhythm of the day, week, month and year. Each day has a rhythm that allows the children a balance between self-guided play and teacher-guided activities. Each week has a rhythm; we have a different table project and walk for each day of the week. Each month has its place in the season, which is celebrated through our nature table, song, story and our experiences in nature. Throughout the year, we celebrate the seasons and certain cultural festivals so that the children can begin to sense the turning of the year as well as come to know their culture and other cultures more closely. Birthdays are also celebrated. Other duties by teachers include, but are not limited to: welcoming the children and parents upon arrival; guiding children to suitable activities: stepping in when additional guidance and direction are needed; encouraging and helping to initiate play and creative activities; providing snack; cleaning up; washing dishes; overseeing toileting, potty training and diaper care; sweeping and cleaning the classrooms; communicating any pertinent information to parent/grandparents/guardians,: updating emergency protocols.
Mari Ohta - Lead Teacher and Director - graduated from Warren Wilson College in 1993. Since then Mari has devoted herself to the care and education of children, her own and the many children she has taken care of over the last 25 years. Mari's artistic talents are many and include origami, clay modeling, drawing, singing, playing the piano and koto, gardening, and cooking. Mari has LifeWays North America Early Childhood Certificate and NC Early Childhood Administrator's License and has worked with The Children's Garden since 2005.
Lucy Lodge -Founder - graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education degree specializing in science and outdoor education. Upon beginning her own family, she became more interested in early childhood education and founded the preschool in 2002. She has a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Haywood Community College, NC Early Childhood Administrator's License, and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University.
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Julia Hudson - Assistant Teacher, bookkeeper - worked at the Children’s Garden since the fall of 2023. She graduated from Guilford College and has worked with young children since. Julia shares her deep curiosity and respect for the nature.
Nichole Chigoy - Substitute Teacher- shares her wisdom, knowledge and experience of parenting and child care provider. Trained as a Montessori primary teacher and attended LifeWays training in Texas. She earned BA from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. and M.Ed from Loyota College. Nichole enjoys gardening, handcrafting, and making nature based household and beauty products.
Natalie Monaghan - Substitute Teacher- brings bright laughter and calm order to preschool. She tends to children with kindness and care. She earned BA in Studio Art from Carleton College of Northfield, MN. Her interests includes alternative education, community living, women’s health, art, gardening, and hiking.
Alyssa Morgan - Substitute Teacher- offers thoughtful insight from a parent point of view. Her passion includes writing, singing, hiking, gardening, and fashion.