Tessa has been a lead educator for the Compass Center’s Sprouts Program for two years. Before that, Tessa was most recently a teacher at Wild Seedlings Playschool where she shared her passion for child led learning within the natural world with children ages 1-4. She focused on teaching language and communication skills, fine motor skills and self-care skills.
Tessa studied at Virginia Commonwealth University before receiving an Associate Certificate in Childhood Development and a certificate in Early Childhood Education.
Tessa has been an assistant teacher at several notable local schools and kids programs including Montaintop Montessori, Hillside School, Living Earth School and One Forest. Throughout these roles she has gained extensive experience in supervising forest play, teaching outdoor safety, wildlife and plant ID and respectful observation, storytelling, lesson planning, and making space to nurture children’s natural curiosity.