Preschool Staff

Amy has her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University and her Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota. Before Dodge, Amy taught preschool using a Reggio Emilia approach, managed family, preschool, and camp programs in nature and environmental centers, and was an Adjunct Child Development Professor.

Joey has been a part of the preschool team since 2003. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Macalester College and an Master's in education in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Minnesota. Joey is a regular contributor to the podcast “Teaching with the Body in Mind".

Beki has been at Dodge Nature Preschool since the fall of 2016. She has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri Columbia. Beki has worked as a newscast producer and as a cake decorating instructor. She recently launched her twin boys off to college! Beki enjoys wildflower hikes, baking, and snuggling her cats.

Allison has been part of the preschool team since 2017. She is alumni preschool parent and has experience as a Lunch Bunch, Substitute, and Float Teacher. Allison has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cornell University and continues to grow her knowledge of early childhood and nature education through continuing education.

Kristin began teaching at Dodge Nature Preschool in 2008. She is an alumni parent and volunteer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Math from the University of Minnesota Morris, and a Master's in education in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. She enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, geocaching, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Kristi has been at Dodge Nature Preschool since 2023. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Moorpark College, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Augsburg University, and a Master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. Kristi is usually reading a book, gardening, and spending time in nature. 

After completing the year-long naturalist fellowship at Dodge Nature Center, Kat found her passion for teaching young children when she joined the preschool team in 2025. They earned their Bachelor's in Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and have worked as an environmental educator ever since.

Sophie joined Dodge in 2024. She has a degree from St. Olaf College in Exercise Science. Sophie has six years of experience as a patient care assistant (PCA) for individuals with disabilities and taught as a literacy instructor. She obtained her birth & postpartum doula certification in 2024. In her free time, Sophie likes crocheting, thrifting, and spending time outdoors.

Katherine has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Spanish from The University of Wisconsin–Madison and is excited to begin a Master's in education in Early Childhood Education at the University of Minnesota in September. She has worked in various environmental, outdoor, and garden education roles and most recently as a preschool teacher at the Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool in Madison, Wisconsin. In her free time, Katherine enjoys running, playing frisbee, cross-country skiing (when there’s snow), and spending time with friends.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bethel University. She worked with K–5 children in community programming, was a cognitive trainer and psychometrist, and taught at Montessori and Reggio-inspired schools. During the school year, she is a lead teacher at Kinderhaus Montessori School. Anna enjoys yoga, writing, and art.

Katie came to Dodge Nature Preschool in the fall of 2020. She worked as a Naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, has a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Minnesota Morris, and a Master’s in education from Antioch University, New England. Katie enjoys cross-country skiing, biking, baking, and crafting.

Judy has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and Master of Arts in Teaching, Science & Inquiry from Hamline University. Judy joined the Dodge team in 2017 after she supported Bud, Dodge Nature Center's resident eagle, as he made his home here. She is an Education Presenter for the University of Minnesota Raptor Center and a Master Gardener.

Rachel has been working in early childhood education since 2017. She has worked at the Early Learning Center in West St. Paul for the past three years. Rachel has completed 1.5 years of college and has a passion for nature-based learning. She enjoys walking her dog, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

Kari began teaching at Dodge in 2014. She has 15+ years of experience as an early childhood teacher with extensive study in the Reggio Emilia approach. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University in Communications & Psychology and Early Childhood credits from St. Catherine University. Kari enjoys spending time with her family hiking, exploring, and making music.

Ella has a BBachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota, and Early Childhood Education credits from Minneapolis Community & Technical College. She has over 10 years of experience working with children in various roles, most recently at Country Day. Ella enjoys crafts, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and cat.

Julia is a former Dodge Nature Center Naturalist Fellow. She holds a Master’s in education in Natural Science and Environmental Education and an Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education. She enjoys hiking, crafting, cooking, and spending time outside with her family.

Mikaela has a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Environmental and Outdoor Education with an emphasis in Childhood Nature Studies from University of Minnesota Duluth. She’s been teaching and playing outdoors with children since 2018, previously guiding canoe trips around Lake Superior. Mikaela enjoys hammocking, paddling, and crafting.

Dasha is an alumni parent and has been at Dodge since 2016. She has her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota. She is excited to spend time with children in nature and utilize her growing knowledge of early childhood education. Dasha enjoys spending time outdoors biking, skiing, kayaking, and traveling.

Melissa joined the preschool team in 2020. She has a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Geneva College. Melissa taught at Concordia and was a Youth Director at the YMCA in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Melissa enjoys biking, fishing, hiking, and spending time with her husband, daughter, cat, and poodle.

Melissa received her B.A. of Education from the University of Wisconsin and her master's from Lesley University. She joined Dodge in 2015. She has experience developing curriculum for children K–8 about wellness and sustainability, curriculum built around gardens, greenhouses, and schoolyard chickens. Melissa enjoys yoga and exploring local parks with her family.

fionn graduated from Hampshire College with a concentration in Queer Studies and Filmmaking, and holds a Child Development Associate teaching certification. they have experience in Reggio- and Montessori-inspired teaching spaces and enjoy making art with children. they love big bodies of water, animal documentaries, and spending time with their partner and two dogs.

Anna holds an Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, a Bachelor of Arts in music education from Cornell College, and a diploma in Montessori Early Childhood. She’s passionate about Reggio-inspired learning and has taught children of all ages. Anna enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, playing board games, listening to & making music, and all things art.

Alyssa is from Rochester, Minnesota, and is an experienced environmental educator with her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Most recently, she worked at a small nonprofit teaching 3rd Grade Science at a Saint Paul charter school and taught for two years at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Alyssa enjoys exploring nature, reading, and playing guitar.

EJ holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Macalester College and a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder. They enjoy spending time outside, gardening, and making things with their hands.

Liz is an alumni parent who joined the Dodge team in 2022. She also works part-time at Garlough Elementary and has enjoyed experiencing Dodge’s beautiful grounds and programs with all ages. In her free time, Liz loves gardening, swimming, and watching her kid’s sports and activities.

Lauree is a Substitute Teacher currently working towards their Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Dakota County Technical College. She is fascinated by nature-based learning and enjoys studying how children thrive through hands-on exploration. Lauree is super excited about what Dodge Nature Preschool can teach her! She is also an aspiring author, writing children’s books inspired by the wonders of early childhood. Outside of the classroom, Lauree loves cooking, making homemade jam, farmers markets, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Jenni has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the College of St. Benedict and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. She’s been an early educator since 2013 and worked at Macdonald Montessori and Country Day schools. She was a Seasonal Naturalist at Dodge Nature Center and helped plant the preschool’s prairie. She enjoys spending time with her family outside.