OUR JOURNEY

I began my teaching journey in 2011 when I applied for my BA in Elementary Education at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Completing my coursework and graduating, I began focusing on what was happening to our students during the 0-5 years of their development. I wondered how important nurturing in these years was and how it influenced learning. This led me to my work at a local Children's Relief Nursery as a Therapeutic Teacher.

It was in my years here that I learned how to instruct using emergent curriculum, child led experiences and therapeutic teaching practices. It was also here that I discovered a need for outdoor experiences away from electronics and how little our children knew about the world around them. Fast forward a few years, add a supportive husband, my 2 year old son and newborn daughter. As if my hands weren’t full enough, let’s add Freckled FawnNature School to the list of goals too.

I long to combine my passion of teaching with my love of the great outdoors. As a parent, I am seeing a great disconnect from nature in our children, a huge focus on academic readiness before we have a solid foundation in empathy and an understanding of the world, we live in. Freckled Fawn Nature School will be a place where children are able to step away from devices, a place where little minds will be put to work based on their inquisitive nature. Lesson plans will take form as our students ask questions and “wonder.” Academics will be incorporated within their play concentrating on first tapping into their excitement so that true learning for retention takes place.

Here at Freckled Fawn Nature School you can trust that your child will be heard, will learn through play and other engaging nature activities, and most importantly become a part of a school family that teaches tolerance, respect, and love for one another and the world around us.

-Melissa Moore

Future School Goals

• Partner with a city park in our area.

  September 2020-Partnered with the City of Jacksonville . FFNS granted use of the Forest Park.

• Continue providing small class sizes to ensure safety and an optimal learning environment.

  Class sizes have grown and continue to grow every year with your help!

• Establish a Farm to Table program for our students and community!

• Become a licensed Outdoor Preschool in Southern Oregon.

• Provide Summer Camps to Ages 3-7

  June 2021- Began the first of many summer camps located at the Jacksonville Forest Park.

• Provide FREE monthly Playgroups to all members of our community.