Meet Our Maple Room Team!
Miss Christie
Lead Teacher • Maple
Year Joined: 1999
Miss Justice
Co-Teacher • Maple
Year Joined: 2025
Kids are born explorers,
We foster growth by letting them continue to do so.
The Maple teachers are adept at letting the children guide the curriculum with themes such as “farm life” or “garden.” By diving deep into a topic that the children are excited about, teachers are able to promote engagement, experimentation, and real-life experiences. Additionally, the Maple curriculum includes countless opportunities to develop important social-emotional skills. These skills include problem-solving with peers, managing emotions, introducing strategies for self-regulation, and practicing empathy.
Upon entering the classroom, you will quickly notice that open-ended play opportunities and sensory experiences take center stage. Teachers provide loose parts and upcycled materials to encourage creativity in play. You might encounter a child using fabric and large clips to construct a cozy den inspired by a recent animal study. You may observe a small group of children working together to connect several pipes, forming a ramp/tunnel for small cars. You might also notice two or three children tucked under the loft, relaxing, reading, and enjoying a quiet moment in the cozy space.
2-4
Outdoor Hours Each Day
8:1
Our Target Student To Teacher Ratio
4-5 Years
Age Group of Maple Classroom
The Maple Curriculum
Learning With Your Hands In The Dirt
Our nature-based program ensures consistent outdoor play in all weather conditions. We believe that “There is no such thing as bad weather- only unsuitable clothing!” You will often find the Maple children searching for snails, playing pretend with sticks, or constructing a dam or channel for water. Teachers and students alike share in the joy of playing in mud, finding worms, collecting seeds, tending the garden, and developing a life-long love and respect for nature.
Children often collect “nature treasures” to show and share with their peers, sparking curiosity and conversation. Maple children shift steadily into the collaborative stage of play, where they begin to work together with other children towards a common goal. The Maple teachers demonstrate expertise by knowing when to step in or stand back from the play and exploration that is led by the children. Some of the most meaningful moments in the classroom happen when the children encounter a challenge or peer conflict—and their teacher, showing trust in their abilities, steps back and gives them space to problem-solve on their own. Over time, we strengthen confidence by empowering children through play and encourage them to take an active role in their own learning.
