Dodge Nature Preschool
Curriculum & Philosophy
Curriculum
The Dodge Nature Preschool curriculum encourages cognitive, social, emotional, creative, physical, and linguistic growth.
Daily activities include:
- Natural science experiences and experiments
- Art
- Music and movement
- Language and vocabulary
- Block-building and carpentry
Philosophy
At Dodge Nature Preschool, we believe children are intrinsically motivated to learn. The teaching staff promotes learning by:
- Providing an environment that encourages discovery, experimentation, and the opportunity to see the results of one's actions.
- Developing activities to encourage growth based on children's abilities and interests.
- Encouraging problem-solving and reflection by asking open-ended questions and providing information in response to children's ideas, insights, and concerns.
- Assisting children in their interactions with each other and offering opportunities for cooperative learning.
- Providing mixed-age classes to give children the opportunity to learn from and teach each other, much as it would naturally occur in multiple-child families.
- Appreciating the individuality of children and families and celebrating diversity.
Facility
The Dodge Nature Preschool building is designed to provide the best possible preschool environment for young children. The welcoming entrance encourages family involvement and smooth transitions from home to school. Spacious classrooms allow for the busy, active play of preschool children, with special attention to acoustics and temperature. Open-ended equipment and supplies encourage creative and cooperative learning. The large multi-purpose classroom provides spaces for very active play. An outdoor play area features wooden climbing structures, a log cabin, and vegetable and flower gardens.
The Dodge Nature Preschool is NAEYC-accredited
The National Association for the Education of Young Children has accredited the Dodge Nature Preschool. Our NAEYC accreditation signifies the quality experience your children will encounter when attending the Dodge Nature Preschool.
For more information on the accreditation standards and what it means, please visit the NAEYC web site or ask a member of the Dodge Nature Preschool staff.
Dodge Nature Preschool Staff
Marty Watson
Preschool Director
Marty began her work as Director of Dodge Nature Preschool in the fall of 2008. Marty has a M.S. in Education from Bank Street College in New York City. She came to Dodge from Union Congregational Weekday Nursery School in New Jersey where she acted as the school’s director and head teacher. While in this setting she worked with the Reggio Emilia approach. For the past 19 years she has also been the founding director at an after school program for elementary school children where she not only taught students, but also filled the development, scheduling, and marketing needs of the program. Marty has dedicated herself to teaching others for the past 30 years, and has an extensive background educating students of all ages.
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Marlais Brand
Teacher, Spruce Room
Marlais is in her first year teaching at Dodge Nature Preschool. Prior to teaching at Dodge Marlais spent ten years teaching young children and was also the Nature Program Director at a private preschool and kindergarten here in the twin cities for the past five years. She taught Writing and English at the University of Maryland, as well as Art History and Creative Writing at The Field School in Washington, DC.
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Kristin Carr
Lunch Bunch and Substitute Teacher
Kristin has worked with children since high school and began teaching at Dodge Nature Preschool in 2008. She is an alumni parent and volunteer. She has a B.A. in Biology with minors in chemistry and math from the University of Minnesota, Morris. Kristin also has an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. She enjoys cooking, the outdoors and photography. Kristin is currently a Lunch Bunch and Substitute Teacher.Email Kristin
Heather Erickson
Teacher, Spruce Room
Heather has been teaching at Dodge since the 2008-2009 school year. Heather holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with minors in Spanish and Special Education from Northwestern College, St. Paul. Heather also worked as a student teacher at Dodge Nature Preschool during the 2007-2008 school session.
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Natalie Gilmore
Teacher, Oak Room
Natalie is one of the founding teachers and was at Dodge Nature Preschool from 2000-2005. She holds a MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Science Education.
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Melanie Grue
Teacher, Willow Room
Melanie began her career at Dodge as an intern in 2005. She came to Dodge from Metropolitan State University where she received her B.A. in Child Psychology.
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Amanda Janquart
Teacher, Willow Room
Amanda is in her eighth year at Dodge Nature Preschool. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and is completing her M.A. in Early Childhood at Concordia College. Amanda has eight years experience as a preschool teacher and experience as an environmental educator.
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Brenda Jerde
Teacher, Oak Room
Brenda has worked with children her whole life, starting with her family’s daycare as a child, as a nanny in her teens, and working in the school district with children with special needs. She taught children’s YMCA classes for nine years and has been a preschool teacher at Dodge since 2007.
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Christine Lambert
Teacher, Oak Room
Christine Haugen began teaching at Dodge in 2001 through 2003. She recently completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Special Education and is very excited to be back! She also works with The Children’s Farm and loves teaching children in a natural environment.
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Kristenza Nelson
Teacher, Willow Room
This is Kristenza’s second year teaching at Dodge Nature Preschool. Kristenza has a B.F.A. in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute and attended the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Core Program. A parent of two preschool alumni, Kristenza has worked extensively in gardening and as a childcare provider. She has also worked as an art and photography teacher for the Girl Scouts of Saint Croix Valley and for the YMCA.
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Kris Rollwagen
Teacher, Oak Room
Kris has worked at Dodge Nature Preschool since 2002. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with majors in Child Psychology and Sociology and later received a Masters in Education with an emphasis in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Over the years, Kris has been both a teacher and administrator. She has also worked in early intervention, teaching therapeutic play groups and providing parent support.
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Natalia Seidel
Teacher, Oak/Spruce Rooms
Natalia began teaching at Dodge in 2008. Natalia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Preprimary Education from Northwestern College in St. Paul.
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Joey Schoen
Assistant Director and Teacher, Spruce Room
Joey began working at Dodge in 2003. Joey holds a B.A. in history from Macalester College and a Masters of Education in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from University of Minnesota. In addition to teaching, Joey serves as the Assistant Director on the administrative team at Dodge Nature Preschool.
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Britney Stark
Teacher, Willow Room
Britney began her work at Dodge Nature Preschool in 2008, after being a parent volunteer for two years. Britney holds a B.S. in Life Science, Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota.
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Luzia Tavares
Teacher, Willow Room
Luzia began her teaching career early as a teacher at her church. She graduated from the State University of Goias, Brazil and has 16 years of experience with kindergarten, preschool, and special needs children. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. She has a love for nature and otdoor life. She is eager to share her knowledge and skills with children, families, and colleagues.
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Anita Yang
Office Coordinator
Anita previously worked in administration at the Hmong College Prep Academy. Her work there included positions as an administrative assistant, executive assistant, and business manager. She received her BA in English from the University of Minnesota and is presently working on her MA in Educational Leadership.
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