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A Little Bit About Me.

Happy you are here!

Belief

I believe that the child is the curriculum. I honor their innate desire to learn and strive to create a learning environment through the curriculum that supports the child's natural curiosity and passion for discovery. 

Belief

I believe that play is the work of the child, and I provide ample opportunities for them to engage in meaningful learning experiences through play. Wisdom begins in play with wonder, curiosity, imagination, and creativity. 

Belief

Nature is a powerful teacher, and I use the great outdoors as a classroom to provide sensory-rich experiences. Not only is nature an amazing learning environment, but it also has a healing effect on children, promoting well-being and regulation.

I'm Danielle

 

Hey there! I'm Danielle, the proud creator behind the Wonder Garden curriculum. As a mom to three boys and a licensed teacher with over 18 years of classroom experience, I've poured my heart and soul into crafting an educational journey that's as fun as it is enriching.

With a degree in Special Education and General Education, I've danced through various teaching settings—from bustling inner-city schools in Chicago to running my own tranquil nature-based preschool in the desert of Arizona. My passion? It’s all about the kids and their well-being.

 

This is My Story.

 

It was 2005 and I was in my early 20’s with the hopes and ideals that I could change the world through education. I didn’t know what I was getting into as I began teaching in inner-city Chicago. Though it was exactly what I had been wanting to do since I was a kid, I was in over my head when it came to dealing with the big emotions in the classroom and the big emotions that were coming up within me. I loved where I was teaching but needed support. By complete chance, I found myself at a mind/body yoga studio down the street from my apartment. Long story short, my world was opened and I saw how healing the body can transform emotions and mindsets. It transformed my life, transformed how I taught in my classroom, and personally helped the kiddos in my room. I started working part-time for the mind/body yoga studio, and then full-time, moved cross country and worked for their education department traveling the world sharing the principles with teachers, students, and parents.

Fast forward a decade to early spring of 2015, by that time I was teaching in the classroom again, I had met my husband and two young step-sons, gotten married, and we had a new baby. My stepsons, one in 2nd grade and the other in preschool left their Waldorf school to be homeschooled, gearing up for a transition to a Montessori school in the fall. Two beautiful but vastly different educational philosophies, I really wanted to help make the oldest's transition into 3rd grade was smooth, balancing the slower-paced academics of Waldorf with the structured approach of Montessori.

With my background in teaching, mind/body work, and early childhood curriculum development, I understood the importance of those first years of a child’s life. They weren't just about learning to read or write but about experiencing life, finding wonder, and understanding themselves. So I wanted to use this time to not just school from home, but to create an environment that sparked curiosity and fosters a love for learning.

While creating lesson plans for them, I found myself overwhelmed by the vast online resources available, constantly searching for the perfect material that could resonate with their needs and interests, was relevant, and matched my teaching philosophy. Moreover, creating a serene learning environment became essential. Inspired by the natural and calming setup of my stepsons’ Waldorf school, I aimed to replicate that atmosphere at home—away from the flashy distractions of modern technology.

With these challenges, plus managing life with a seven-month-old and working part-time from home, I realized the need for a curriculum that was deep, real, and supportive for other parents like me. I was overwhelmed, and my profession was a teacher - I kept thinking about all the moms out there wanting to homeschool, but not sure where to start and then feeling overwhelmed by all the resources and ideas on Pinterest, TeacherPay Teacher, Etsy, Instagram, etc.

Fast forward three years, as my stepsons settled into Montessori and my youngest was ready for preschool, the opportunity arose to finally build my dream preschool for him. With support from my husband, we added on to our home and it became 'Wonder Garden', an embodiment of all my educational aspirations. Here, I've crafted a curriculum that isn't just about academic achievements but about fostering a whole, imaginative, and empathetic child attuned to the rhythms of nature and their emotions. And that is now what I am sharing with you in the hopes that 'Wonder Garden' can be as impactful for you and your family as it was for me and my family. 

My Approach

This vast array of experiences has allowed me to develop a comprehensive and holistic curriculum that combines the best practices from various teaching methods and philosophies. The curriculum uses nature and play to create a truly immersive learning experience that fosters the development of the whole child - body, heart, and brain. By providing children with an environment that nurtures their innate desire to learn and encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking, they can achieve a state of harmony or coherence in which the deepest learning takes place.

I believe that children should be given the tools to become the best version of themselves, and that starts with learning to listen to their bodies and emotions. By fostering empathy, tolerance, and problem-solving skills, we can create a generation of individuals who are confident, strong, and compassionate. My curriculum is designed to help children achieve this by allowing them to feel whole and complete as they are, giving them the confidence to see and appreciate these qualities in others.

In a world where knowledge is at our fingertips, I believe that emotional intelligence and compassion are more important than ever. With the Wonder Garden curriculum, I am dedicated to helping young children develop the skills they need to become caring, empathetic, and capable individuals who are able to make a positive impact on the world around them.