Christine Goodale
Lead Teacher, School Director
Lead Teacher Christine Goodale owns and manages Little House Nature School. She holds a Masters Degree in Education and has been teaching young children for over 20 years. She is a certified Early Childhood Teacher, an experienced Outdoor Educator, and the mother of two daughters. She is passionate about creating loving, nurturing natural learning environments for young people.
Ayme Ueda
Preschool Teacher
Ayme has a passion for connecting with and guiding children. She has over 7 years of experience in creative, art-based education as a founder and counselor of a social-justice summer camp for Portland youth. She decided to shift her work-focus to younger children, while extending herself into Early Childhood Education and Environmental Science. She was raised in Hawaii, with a deep love of nature she brought to the PNW nearly 15 years ago. She enjoys cooking & baking, seasonal foraging/wildcrafting, and relaxing with her two cats.
Cascade Martin
Preschool Teacher
Cascade is passionate about creating spaces that feel safe, supportive and fun for young children. She grew up playing in the PNW nature and has been working in childcare since she was a teenager. She strives to meet children where they are by providing opportunities for them to investigate their curiosities while gently guiding them to build confidence in themselves and their abilities. She sees much beauty in the wonder children have for the natural world and she enjoys exploring that wonder with them. She spends her free time crocheting, baking, cuddling with her cat and hiking/camping/relaxing in the forest.
Molli Harrison
Preschool Teacher
Molli has been an early childhood educator throughout the past twenty years. She has a passion for creating spaces where young children are free to explore the world all around
them. She meets children where they are, offering opportunities for them to investigate their interests while encouraging their growth and independence. With a background in Early Childhood Intervention and a variety of graduate courses in Child Development, she believes
deeply in the power of play and nature to spark curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. She grew up surrounded by the wild beauty of the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, spent years hiking the trails of Central Texas, and now finds joy exploring the forests and coastlines of the Pacific Northwest.
Alexandra De Luise
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Alex offers care and attention when supporting children in nature. They enjoy cultivating spaces for them to feel imaginative, exploratory, and grounded. Alex desires to foster children’s connection between each other and the land/seasons. Their favorite moments at Little House are spent with children picking raspberries, spotting crows, and playing in the grass together. Alex comes to Little House with a background in filmmaking and youth mentorship. They have always loved supporting the growth of young people through art and nature. They are inspired by the land and feel deep connection with its magic. Alex enjoys swimming in rivers, hiking, good bread, art-making, dance, and play.
Ellie Hendricks
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Ellie is a passionate educator with years of experience in early childcare. Her goal is to support creative play and exploration, and learn alongside children with kindness and gentle curiosity. She finds deep joy in exploring the outdoors and hopes to support children in awakening their own wonder and excitement about the natural world around them. In her free time she enjoys cooking, painting, tending to her house plants and playing with her dog.
Lauren Toll
Special Activities Teacher and Substitute
Lauren has a Masters degree from Portland State in Early Childhood Inclusive Education with an emphasis on constructivism. She has over 8 years of experience in childcare and has spent the last 2 years as an outdoor educator. She is thrilled to bring her passion of early childhood learning to Little House Nature School and is delighted to be facilitating wonder and innovation in the classroom this year. Lauren is the mother of a wonderfully curious 6 year old named Clementine and loves hiking and exploring the beautiful PNW with her little family.
Sara Murphy
Special Activities Teacher and Substitute
Sara is a passionate outdoor educator who grew up exploring the forests of the Columbia River Gorge. She holds a degree in anthropology and is a licensed EMT. Sara spearheaded the garden education program at Grout Elementary School and was an elementary educator with Growing Gardens. She has worked with preschool and school aged children in many settings, both in the classroom and outdoors. Her teaching has included music, movement and martial arts. Sara draws from her diverse background to create meaningful learning experiences that foster curiosity and a sense of wonder for this beautiful world we live in. When not in the classroom, she can be found tending to her garden, hiking with her two rambunctious dogs, or simply curled up with a good book.