Meet Our Team

Maureen Fox

SCHOOL DirectoR

SUNFLOWERS Preschool Faculty

Guided by a deep care for education and the environment, Maureen weaves the philosophies of Waldorf Education with her background in outdoor education. After attending a Waldorf school herself and working for NOLS for the last decade, Maureen unites both in a farm, forest and field program at Apple Valley School. Maureen holds a BA in English from Lewis and Clark College and has completed a three year Waldorf Elementary Teacher Education program at Sunbridge Institute in New York.

Martha Porter

Sunflower Lead Teacher

Martha developed a love for nature at an early age growing up traipsing around the woods and waterways of Ohio. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Wright State University in Ohio. She has over four years of teaching experience, specializing in nature immersion and play-based learning. Martha began her path towards nature-based teaching as a naturalist and has since worked as lead preschool teacher at a forest preschool and urban farm school. Martha approaches teaching with playfulness and loves making mud pies, jumping in puddles, and rolling in the grass with her students.

Mickaela Graham

Sego Lily Lead Teacher

Mickaela grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies which she earned from Colorado State University. She has experience as an early childhood teacher working in Fort Collins, CO and enjoyed developing closer connections to families through babysitting. In her free time, Mickaela loves to hike, crochet, and spend time with her dog Bella.

Emily Cowles

BLUEBELLS toddler class Faculty

Emily believes that play is learning. Growing up in Vermont, Emily was constantly playing outside and learning about the world around her. From the cow pastures to the vegetable garden, Emily was constantly learning something new. Emily holds a BA in History from St. Lawrence University and a Master’s Degree in Learning, Family and Developmental Sciences from the University of Colorado with a partnership from Boulder Journey School in Boulder, CO. Emily enjoys skiing, mountain biking, hiking, cooking and reading.

Jennifer Yellow Boy

BLUEBELLS Toddler Class FACULTY

Mother of five and grandmother to her young grandson, Jen was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota as well as in Nebraska and Wyoming. She graduated as class president from Flandreau Indian School in 2002 before going on to study criminal justice at Central Wyoming College and earning an Associate's Degree in child development. Jen came to Apple Valley School having worked as a teacher with Fort Washakie's Head Start program for six years, sharing her passion for reading with children as they developed language and critical thinking skills. Beyond nourishing a love of learning inside and outside of the classroom, Jen enjoys spending time in the mountains with her family, hiking and logging.

Aiko Bragg

BLUEBELLS TODDLER CLASS FACULTY

Aiko grew up in a big city in Japan, but fell in love with the beauty of nature and mountains while traveling the world and on annual visits to her father’s hometown in the countryside of Japan. Aiko studied Food Science at Kyoritu University in Tokyo and Outdoor Education at Central Wyoming College, where she met her future husband. In 2012, Aiko moved to the United States where she and her husband are raising their three children. In her free time, Aiko runs a small business selling custom nursery and birthday decorations as well as homemade masks. She loves cooking, hiking, camping, crafting, and sewing.

Léne Epp

AFTERCARE TEACHER

Léne grew up in Minneapolis attending a Montessori school which fostered in her a deep understanding and appreciation of experiential learning. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in Environmental and Outdoor Education. She has spent the past several years working as a field instructor for NOLS. Léne loves the joy and curiosity that young children bring to the world. She believes in the importance of play and time outside to encourage those qualities in life.

Scott Morris

aftercare teacher

Scott is from New Jersey and enjoyed formative experiences on the Appalachian Trail with his boy scout troop growing up. He studied American History and Adventure Education in college and has worked in a variety of outdoor education, guiding, and interpretive naturalist roles since. Last in Lander for an internship in 2013, Scott is now back with his partner, Grace, and their three big dogs. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Utah, studying Environmental History in the American West and preparing a dissertation about the Great Salt Lake. Scott thrives on a diet principally composed of coffee and pizza.

Mary Anne Spenst

Aftercare teacher

Mary Anne is originally from Langdon, North Dakota. She worked for a daycare there prior to moving to Charlotte, NC where she taught at a Montessori school. In Lander, Mary Anne spent time supporting growing plants, rather than children, at Sprouts Greenhouse before coming to Apple Valley School. She enjoys spending time with her five siblings and three nieces as well as her constant companion, Jubilee, an Aussie/English Shepherd. Mary Anne loves to hike, walk, and bike in addition to training her dog and undertaking organization projects.