Anna’s Nature Educator quote is: “Spring replenishes all that was lost in Winter. I welcome Spring’s warm embrace with open arms!”

Anna is in their third year at TCC, they hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emanuel College. They have been a presenter at the 2024 Natural Start Alliance Early Childhood Nature Educator’s Conference.

Lourdes is entering her second year at TCC! When facilitating Nature play experiences in our outdoor classroom, Lourdes draws inspiration from the sun’s reflections on ocean.

Lourdes graduated from Boston College with degrees in elementary education; psychology; and curriculum development, with concentrations in neuroscience and business management.

Julia is entering her second year at TCC! Julia draws inspiration from water and its wildlife.

Julia holds a bachelor's degree from Tufts University, in Child Development and Archeology, she is currently attending BU where she is pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Julia will be representing TCC as a play facilitator at the 2025 Playtopia Early Learning Conference.

Becca has been at TCC since 2022 and currently works in both the preschool and toddler classrooms. This is very special because it means she has the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships with the children throughout their entire TCC experience! Becca has been in the field of education since 2020. She started off teaching kindergarten and specialized in English Language Arts and English Language Learners (ELL). This past year, she deepened her knowledge of teaching ELL through the completion of a Fulbright grant in Bulgaria, where she taught English to students in third grade through twelfth grade. Since returning back to TCC for the 2024 - 2025 school year, Becca is excited to broaden her knowledge of early childhood education as she works towards the completion of her Child Development Associate credential through the Neighborhoods Villages program. She is focused on learning more about specific early education pedagogies, such as Reggio inspired practices, and is eager to incorporate these beliefs into the classroom. As a teacher, she aims to cultivate a welcoming classroom environment focused on the development of community and kindness. The place in nature that speaks the most to her is a garden filled with flowers, greenery and insects. 

We are pleased to be welcoming Lauren to the TCC faculty this year! Lauren holds an undergraduate degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics. She has worked in public schools, art centers and camps teaching art and working with children primarily in grades PreK to 6 for the past 25 years!

Lauren is inspired by the night sky, and has titled this reflective art collage: “Gateway to the Stars”

We are pleased to be welcoming Rachel to the TCC faculty this year! Rachel holds a master’s degree from Endicott College in Early Childhood Education, with a focus in Early Childhood Reform. In addition to her master’s degree, Rachel is also Wonderled Certified, a prominent approach that supports dynamic emergent, play-based curriculum.

The place in Nature that most speaks to Rachel are mudflats and Shiprock-She is inspired by her experiences climbing up and around rocks, jumping off and then sinking to her knees in the muck/mud, and slowly squishing herself out and back in again.

Kat is enjoying her second year as Executive Director of TCC! When working with children, supporting educators and advocating for nature-based play, Kat draws inspiration from the wide-open prairie, that appears wild, yet thrives under a natural organization that meets the needs of each individual coexisting species of plant, animal, and flower!

Kat holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and art history and studied Early Childhood and Early Elementary Education at Lesley University. Kat has been a presenter and professional development facilitator in the field of Nature-based play for over a decade, she continues to present and share the exciting Nature-based play and learning happening at TCC.

Fu, our Assistant Director, is entering his ninth year at TCC, and his fourth year as part of the administrative team! He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education sciences. He draws inspiration from the forest when working with children and supporting our teachers in the Outdoor classroom.

The place in NATURE that most speaks to Bryan are the woods and mountains of New Hampshire. “Time amongst the trees and birds rejuvenates the soul and recharges the batteries.”

Bryan holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, is celebrating his 21st year as a member of the TCC faculty. He specializes in early childhood literacy and has been a presenter at the 2024 Natural Start Alliance Early Childhood Nature Educator’s Conference.

The place Wendy loves to be is the rainforest and the woods. Wendy loves all kinds of animals; she grew up on a farm where she had a deep connection with animals. Wendy feels that animals, like children should be listened to and talked to! Wendy also loves waterfalls and all kinds of trees.

Wendy is entering her sixteenth year at TCC. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and specializes in fostering kindergarten readiness.

Rhonda is most inspired by the Spring, when the weather begins to change from the cold of winter to warmth of summer.

Rhonda is in her second year at TCC, Rhonda has studied Child Growth and Development at Bunker Hill and has experience with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Emma is most inspired by the Atlantic Ocean.

Emma is in her third year at TCC and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health and School Adjustment Counseling.

TCC is pleased to work with Johanna Perlin. Johanna is an Early Childhood Education Consultant, specializing in Nature and Outdoor Play. She has been a professional development presenter, an outdoor classroom designer and curriculum developer, specializing in outdoor play, gardening with the children and embracing play in all kinds of weather.

 We are thrilled to be partnering with Beth Glick for a second school year in a consultant role to offer curriculum coaching and professional development around her area of expertise: Social Emotional Learning. 

 Beth is a licensed social worker with many years of experience in the field of early childhood education, as well as many years as an elementary school social worker and administrator. 

Beth was a part of a team of teachers and administrators in her previous school district that successfully created and implemented curriculum targeting best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

 Beth is currently a social worker for a partnership of preschools throughout the greater Boston area that integrate social emotional learning into its classrooms, facilitate teacher trainings and foster parenting partnerships through a lens of co-regulation and heart-centered practices.

TCC is pleased to be partnered with Elijah Oyenuga. Elijah supports TCC educators in creating inclusive spaces that honor equity, diversity and social justice. As a Black Nigerian transgender man, Elijah has experienced prejudice and discrimination firsthand since arriving in America. His experiences drove him to understand and disrupt oppression, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community. At 17, he became a peer leader at Boston GLASS, providing LGBTQIA+ cultural competency trainings to combat bias-based bullying in Boston Public Schools. Elijah enrolled in Lesley University and pursued a B.A. in psychology to understand bias and its effects on human development. Elijah continued on to earn his master's degree in education for Equity and Social Justice at Boston University to gain the knowledge to combat inequity and create systemic change. His proudest accomplishment is his research paper titled "The Mental Health Effects of Trauma and Bullying on Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth" shed light on the unique challenges faced by an erased yet overexposed population.  Through his work, Elijah strives to foster inclusive, nurturing, and empowering environments where LGBTQIA+ youth, especially transgender youth, can not only survive, but thrive.

TCC is a proud participant of the ECSO (Early Childhood Supporting Organizations) Grant, we are partnered with Florida University and Flamingo Learning. Our educators as well as administrators receive monthly one-to-one coaching, as well as course work, targeted in improving and maintaining the highest quality school and workforce culture, and improvements in the field, to our school and early childhood curriculum delivery. In addition to robust professional development and a holistic approach to school culture, this grant also provides funds to teachers for the purchase of high-quality materials to enhance curriculum and learning environments for our students.