Hey there, I’m MS. Mindy!

After falling in love with the whimsical & magical thinking of young kids through babysitting for my neighbors and working as a camp counselor during summers, I chose to study inclusive early childhood education at James Madison University. I graduated in 2013 with a Master’s in the Art of Teaching (Special Education Birth-5; K-3).  My teaching philosophy is founded on a belief that with guidance and instruction that starts from a child and family’s strengths in ways that are unique to the individual, anyone can be successful. My classroom had open seating (yoga balls, standing desks, floor cushions, and regular desks) to help build confidence of authority and self-regulation in the students. We worked collaboratively and found ways to incorporate open-ended art assignments as often as possible. After teaching preschool, special education summer preschool, summer dance camp, and third grade, I left the traditional classroom setting, knowing I’d make my way back to families in the future. In the years that followed, I moved across the country to join the West Coast and absolutely feel in love. I’m now combining my passion for teaching, movement, and messy art by bringing this class for little ones (1-5 year olds) and their caregivers in Portland to freely move, get messy, and connect together!

Outside of the studio, you’ll find me backpacking in the PNW, eating sour gummy worms, dancing at live concerts, adding googly eyes to random objects, and thrifting for random art projects.