Brett Dabb - Program Director & Learning Guide
Matthew embarked on his journey into early childhood education by completing the Teacher Education Program at the Boulder Journey School, a preschool program that is influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach to learning. Following this experience, he was inspired to implement a child centered, hands-on approach to learning in a Kindergarten classroom for three years in Adams 50 School District. Matthew went on to become the Head Start and Colorado Preschool Coordinator for the Cherry Creek Early Childhood Program from October of 2012 through August 2014. While at Cherry Creek, Matthew passed on his knowledge and passion for child-centered learning and the utilization of natural and recycled materials in the classroom to the teaching staff. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado-Denver.
Matthew was most recently the Early Childhood Systems Manager at the Office of Early Childhood with the Colorado Department of Human Services. His responsibilities included providing technical assistance, contract management, and building relationships upon trust and respect with Early Childhood Council throughout Colorado. Matthew is a member of the 6th Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program Cohort and recently completed the ALPS Master’s Program (Administrative Leadership and Policy) through University of Colorado-Denver.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, whether riding one of his many bikes or climbing the next highest peak. He lives in Aurora with his wife Cherie, daughter Griffin, and two dogs.
Both Brett and Matthew completed Cedarsong Nature School's
Forest Kindergarten Teacher Training Certification Program
Matthew Hebard - Education Director & Learning Guide
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Staff
From an early age, Brett knew he wanted to be a teacher. After receiving his elementary education degree from Appalachian State University, he became a Peace Corps Volunteer. While living with a family in a South African village, Brett spent over two years teaching teachers how to teach, as well as facilitating an environmental education program in the Kruger National Park. After coming home and spending some time on the Appalachian Trail, Brett returned to teaching children at a Global Elementary school. Taking advantage of a unique opportunity, Brett accepted a summer job as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. Rather than returning to the elementary school setting, Brett accepted a job teaching preschool in Denver. Within five years, Brett became the director of the Learning Center and quickly transformed the playgrounds into nature-based outdoor classrooms. If you need to order custom term paper for you project, it's best to leave details at https://elitewritings.com/customer-term-paper.html.
In early 2015, The Colorado Department of Education came knocking and Brett accepted a position with the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness. He supports preschools statewide in helping prepare children for kindergarten. In August, Brett completed a Master's Program in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Colorado at Denver in conjunction with a fellowship in Buell's Early Childhood Leadership Program.
Brett has always loved being outside. Whether its hiking, snowshoeing, or camping year round, he tries to get out of the city more weekends than not. Brett has been learning from nature most of his life and understands and appreciates the experience that only being outside can provide. He looks forward to providing more children with similar experiences to help prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Nature Preschool in DenverForest Kindergarten Nature-based