Ms. Elise brings over fifteen years of experience and a lifelong passion for early childhood education to the Little Learners Lodge community.  Elise boasts a degree in Elementary Education K-6, Montessori 0-3 credentials, RIE® and Pikler intensive training and is on the pathway to becoming a RIE® Associate. She has also co-facilitated Parent Guidance classes and supported RIE® Foundations training, reflecting her commitment to both children the adults who care for them.

Raised on a horse farm in Kentucky, Elise’s childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, a love for nature, and early exposure to the Montessori method as a student. These formative experiences inspired her to pursue a career where respect and individuality are central to education. Elise’s teaching philosophy centers on meeting each child where they are, fostering independence, and creating a collaborative classroom environment. She believes in setting the tone with a team of like-minded educators who share her passion for nurturing young learners. Her approach to addressing challenges emphasizes patience, observation, and partnership with families to support every child’s growth.

Elise envisions Little Learners Lodge as a thriving, peaceful environment where children grow under the care of kind and respectful adults. She hopes her students leave with confidence, curiosity, and a love for discovery that will guide them throughout their lives. To parents, she offers this simple but powerful advice: “Trust in the child. Go slow, and then go slower.”