Megan Bruehl
Megan (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy from California State University, East Bay. She has worked with children and adolescents in various roles over the last decade, including as a recreational therapist in mental health settings, an academic tutor for children in the foster care system, a teacher/director of a before/after school care program for TK through 5th grade, and an early childhood educator. Throughout her career, she has emphasized supporting the holistic well-being of youth through cultivating joyful experiences.
In her most recent experience in early childhood education, she taught at The Meher Schools, a preschool inspired by Waldorf and Montessori philosophies, with deeply-held values of love and compassion for all. Spending time with the children in the school gardens and witnessing them flourish intensified Megan’s conviction that nature soothes and nourishes the soul. She became fascinated with the concept of forest school and subsequently completed a teacher training through the Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers.
As a teacher, Megan believes her role is to be a model of compassion, reverence, and joy. She intentionally nurtures the children’s sense of wonder, creativity, and resilience, while fostering a deep love and respect for Mother Earth.
In her free time, Megan enjoys rock climbing, dancing, yoga, and hiking with her family. Megan has just moved up from California to Portland and is so excited to be working with the students and families of Willow Creek Forest School.
Ingrid Mariano
Ingrid (she / her) is a Southern California native who worked in theme park operations and management for over 15 years. Her love of working with children led her to transition to the field of early childhood education. She received her AS in Child Development from Irvine Valley College in 2021 and taught at an outdoor preschool in Newport Beach, CA before moving to Portland with her husband last year. She has a background in biology, geology, and business management from first attending Cal State Fullerton prior to her theme park career.
Her teaching style is heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Outdoor Classroom Project philosophies. Ingrid believes that children are most excited about learning when emergent curriculum planning is used to capture their interests, explore their curiosities, and engage their vast imaginations. She loves going on hikes with children and allowing them to express their observations through art and stories, and encourages them to participate in collaborative projects where they learn about themselves and each other. Most of all, she strives to communicate their roles as stewards of nature by respecting and protecting the world around them.
In her free time, she volunteers at Tryon Creek State Natural Area leading field trips, hiking local trails, working in her garden, traveling to National Parks, crafting tabletop role-playing games, playing video games with her husband, and solving her way through escape rooms with her super sleuth friends.
