NINPA BOD members will:
- Be an active member of the NINPA community through participation in member meetings, member events, BOD meetings, special events, and trainings.
- Continually advance nature pedagogy through research, observation and participation in a variety of activities such as webinars, conferences and symposiums that involve best practices in nature-based early childhood education.
- Support and encourage fellow educators through dialogue, collaboration and the sharing of resources and ideas.
- Encourage others to make nature-based learning available to all children though accessible spaces, tools, materials, representation for all children.
- Promote the field of nature-based learning in early childhood education.
Executive Board | ||
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Interim Co-President & NINPA Founder Megan Gessler M.Ed. (she/her) Little Trees Program Supervisor Morton Arboretum | Interim Co-President & Secretary Kathryn Neuffer (she/her) Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs Morton Arboretum | Treasurer Beth Wilson M.S.Ed (she/her) Director Hobson School |
Directors | ||
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Cara Ruffo (she/her) Program Naturalist Park Ridge Park District | Sean Shaffer Nature Engagement Specialist Chicago Park District | Sarah Sheldon M.Ed. (she/her) |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Marji O’Leary Teacher Flossmoor Community Church Weekday Preschool | Jennifer Olson, MAT (she/her) Director of Marketing and Events Forest School Mentor Prairie School of DuPage | Stacy Voras (she/her) Blended Pre-K Teacher LaGrange School District 102 |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Audrey Todd (they/them) Executive Director Wonder Woods Chicago | Teresa Weed M.Zoology Lead Organizer Forest Schools for Illinois | Marilyn Brink, M.Ed. Nature-based Learning Consultant Mary Crane Center Adjunct Faculty, Nature Assistant Certificate Morton College |