about us
what we’re about
Roots Outdoor Education was established March 2023 in North Bend, Washington. We first welcomed children and families onto the land June 2023. We chose the name Roots because we are committed for the long-haul – committed to this land, high-quality and accessible outdoor education, and to all the families who choose to adventure with us.
Roots Outdoor Education serves families in North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, and the surrounding area.
our commitments
At Roots, we are committed to fostering a community that values and promotes racial equity. We recognize the systemic injustices and historical disadvantages that marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, have faced. It is our firm belief that every child, regardless of race or ethnicity, deserves equal opportunities and an inclusive learning environment.
We acknowledge that we gather on the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie (sdukʷalbixʷ), Tulalip, and Coast Salish peoples. We honor their enduring connection to this land and express our gratitude for their stewardship throughout generations. It is our hope to foster love and respect for the land as we continue to learn from their wisdom and traditions.
our curriculum
Roots Outdoor Education is inspired by the educational philosophies of Reggio Emilia, with emphasis on ecology, the arts, and American Sign Language.
Reggio-inspired schools are guided by Reggio Emilia, a small Italian town whose community members rebuilt their community post-World War II to center progressive and cooperative early childhood education. Like other Reggio-inspired schools, we follow a constructivist philosophy. We intentionally allow for the students’ interests to create the curriculum, with us serving as facilitators of the experience.
In our emergent, constructivist approach, the content for study is endless. Your child will build relationships with their peers, begin to understand the connectedness among all things, and undoubtedly create new theories about the world we live in.
place-based
Place-based education relies on the local community and environment as the starting point from which to facilitate learning in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and more, across the curriculum.
child-led
Child-led learning centers the child’s innate ability to follow their own interests rather than contrive learning experiences through an adult-driven structured schedule.
nature-immersed
The outdoor classroom gives endless opportunities to develop every single one of our senses, including our proprioceptive and vestibular senses which are often unengaged in indoor settings. Nature offers open-ended materials, opportunities for imaginative play, and large and fine motor challenges, all of which are crucial to early childhood development.
roots location
Just outside of North Bend, Washington, our land is tucked into the forests above the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Roots’ five acres border state forest, with over 12,000 acres of trails to explore. We learn and grow amongst western red cedar, Douglas fir, western hemlock, sword fern, huckleberry, and numerous types of moss and fungi.
our staff
Emily
Emily has been sharing her love of all things wild with early learners for the last 15 years, working as a preschool teacher, camp counselor, and a nanny. Now, as co-founder, director, and lead teacher, Emily shares her love for the outdoors with the students at Roots.
Emily was raised in Boise, Idaho and earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies from the University of Washington. Emily completed the Cedarsong Teacher Training program as well as Wilderness First Aid training.
Ren
Ren’s love for nature immersion began in her early teens when she maintained forest trails in the forests of Oregon and Northern California over a summer with the Northwest Youth Corps. She has years of experience as a nanny and a preschool teacher, including work with children who are neuro-divergent.
Ren graduated from the University of Washington with her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Studies and has been working to expand her American Sign Language fluency to foster a sense of inclusion in all learning environments she leads. Ren completed Wilderness First Aid training.
ASHLEy
Ashley is a Masters Level Certified Recreation Therapist who specializes in adventure therapy, trauma-informed expressive arts, and experiential learning. Ashley has worked directly with adults and children over her nearly twelve years of experience in the field. For the past seven years, she has brought her experience into art classes (both therapeutic and foundational step-by-step skills).
Ashley joins the Roots staff as a way of transitioning out of the mental health field and focusing on her strengths in and passion for teaching.
Mike
The instant you arrive at Roots, you’ll notice Mike’s thoughtful and sound craftsmanship in the various structures at Roots. With decades spent exploring the mountains, Mike loves sharing his knowledge of flora and fauna and his sense of adventure with Roots students. Mike was raised in Berkeley, California, and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Davis.
Murphy
Like the rest of the team, Murphy loves to spend her time in nature, on the trail. She is keen to stick with the group and will jump at any opportunity to show off her skills.