Christine Goodale
Lead Teacher, School Director
Lead Teacher Christine Goodale owns and manages Little House Nature School. She holds a Masters Degree in Education and has been teaching young children for over 20 years. She is a certified Early Childhood Teacher, an experienced Outdoor Educator, and the mother of two daughters. She is passionate about creating loving, nurturing natural learning environments for young people.
Sara Murphy
Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher
Sara is a passionate outdoor educator who grew up exploring the forests of the Columbia River Gorge. She holds a degree in anthropology and is a licensed EMT. Sara spearheaded the garden education program at Grout Elementary School and was an elementary educator with Growing Gardens. She has worked with preschool and school aged children in many settings, both in the classroom and outdoors. Her teaching has included music, movement and martial arts. Sara draws from her diverse background to create meaningful learning experiences that foster curiosity and a sense of wonder for this beautiful world we live in. When not in the classroom, she can be found tending to her garden, hiking with her two rambunctious dogs, or simply curled up with a good book.
Ayme Ueda
Preschool Teacher
Ayme has a passion for connecting with and guiding children. She has over 7 years of experience in creative, art-based education as a founder and counselor of a social-justice summer camp for Portland youth. She decided to shift her work-focus to younger children, while extending herself into Early Childhood Education and Environmental Science. She was raised in Hawaii, with a deep love of nature she brought to the PNW nearly 15 years ago. She enjoys cooking & baking, seasonal foraging/wildcrafting, and relaxing with her two cats.
Gretchen Lindemann
Preschool Assistant
Gretchen has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. After spending 8 of her 10 years in nursing caring for babies and their mamas, she has decided to shift her focus to supporting the youngest generations in a way that is holistic and guided by nature. She is a trained doula and hypnobirthing instructor, and has the daily joy of parenting her vivacious 2-year-old daughter. Gretchen and her South African husband have recently returned from living in Australia with a desire to be near family and raise their daughter in the lush and verdant PNW. When not playing outside, Gretchen is either reading, writing, dancing, or concocting healthy treats with her family in the kitchen.
Molly Molatore
Substitute Preschool Teacher
Molly is a fifth generation Oregonian and mother of four children. She has been formally trained in Waldorf Education and has taught preschool and kindergarten for over 20 years. Molly is passionate about helping to inspire a sense of magic and wonder in the classroom. For nearly a decade, Molly was a preschool teacher at New Day School where she guided children in yoga and meditation through rhymes, song and storytelling. Molly has worked with children in outdoor classrooms and forests at Mother Earth School and at Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Molly loves to sing, especially ancient Estonian songs, and has traveled and performed many times in Estonia. In her free time, Molly enjoys being with her wonderful family, visiting nearby waterways, drawing, painting, weaving and taking it easy.