Jessica Labbe
Program Owner
Jess is a Nature Based Educator and Ambassador committed to environmental education and improving early childhood development through nature based exploration. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education and has worked for the past 20 years with preschool aged children outside.
In 2020 she opened The Village Nest Cooperative.
Jess has a passion for inspiring imaginative play and can often be found telling stories about unicorns and mermaids to anyone who is interested. 
In her personal time, you can find her on nature walks, kayaking, enjoying the beach, camping, or somewhere in her garden. 

Caroline C.
Program Co-Director & Lead Teacher of Microschool Herons' Class (5-8 year olds)
Caroline was born and raised on the East Coast Seacoast and grew up immersed in outdoor activities at various camps.
She holds dual degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies, a testament to her interdisciplinary interests and commitment to addressing complex challenges. After graduating from undergrad, Caroline returned to her coastal roots and found VNC, an organization that aligned with her values and aspirations! She has been with the program for the past 5 years. 
Eager to deepen her understanding and impact, she is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Nature-Based Education, focusing on early childhood development for ages 3-10 years old. 
When Caroline is not working she finds solace and joy in diverse recreational activities. Whether she is spending time with her beloved feline companions, cooking up a new recipe, carving slopes on skis, or trying something new, her zest for exploration and discovery remains unstoppable.

Jen B. 
​ Lead Teacher of Owls Classroom (2-3 year olds)
Jen has been teaching for 25+ years and raised 2 boys who are now teenagers! Jen especially loves teaching outdoors in the winter. 
Jen started working at Village Nest Cooperative in 2023.
When she is not working, she is spending time with her two guinea pigs and cat, hiking, sewing, jamming out to music, hula hooping or attending a music festival. 

Ave K.
Assistant Teacher in Hawks Classroom (3-5 year olds)
Born in the jungles of Hawaii, she is passionate about fostering a sense of empathy and interconnectedness with nature in others, especially children, who have been a central focus of her life’s work. Avelea's education includes studies at High Mowing Waldorf School and a semester with Kroka Wilderness, both of which deepen her connection to the natural world. In the summer of 2024, she took on a role as a guide and deckhand for  in Homer, AK. Her favorite teaching moment was dyeing silk with marigolds, an experience that beautifully merges art, nature, and learning. 

Beth T.
Lead Teacher of Hawks Classroom (3-5 year old) 
As a child, Beth loved eating carrots from her mother’s garden, making mud pies, building flower gardens in the woods and climbing high into the trees. Her 4th grade teacher inspired her to become a teacher (a story involving a cupcake). She went to Keene State College to earn a Bachelor's of Science dual degree in Elementary Education and General Science.
Since college, she has taught outdoor education in California, Health and STEM in Dover, volunteered with UNH Cooperative Extension, and raised 2 outside loving girls.
Beth started work with Village Nest Cooperative in 2023. On a normal day you will find her singing songs at circle, looking for pill bugs under logs, and helping students be more independent thinkers. 
Her two favorite parts of Village Nest are the connections that come with getting to know the same group of students and watching them bloom into themselves and having an up-close view of nature changing every day. 

Mariah E. 
Assistant Teacher in Hawks Classroom (3-5 years old)
With a lifelong passion for education, Mariah began her teaching journey at a young age, gaining experience in daycare settings and as a nanny during the summer months. This early exposure solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in education, leading her to Franklin Pierce University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Education with a minor in Special Education.
Mariah's college experience, characterized by a unique remote learning environment, deepened her love for working with children and fostered a strong connection with nature. It was at this intersection of education and the outdoors that she discovered the vibrant community at VNC, where she thrives in an outdoor learning environment—particularly during the beautiful fall season.
When she is not engaged in her teaching role at VNC, Mariah enjoys exploring the outdoors with her two dogs, Rafter and Ace. Together, they embark on various adventures, with their favorite pastime being beach outings in all weather conditions, where Rafter and Ace delight in swimming in the ocean.

Jules T.
Support Staff 
Jules attended the University of New Hampshire majoring in Environmental Conservation & Sustainability, with a focus in Sub-Saharan African Environmental Politics.
After graduating in 2022, Jules completed a summer internship with Delaware State Parks as their Environmental Educator & Naturalist. During this time she helped create interactive programming and lessons for inner city children, as well as counsel DSP Summer camp! Upon completing the internship she realized how much she enjoyed teaching our youngest generation about nature and moved back up to NH to pursue work in environmental education.
Jules joined Village Nest Cooperative in 2024. You will see her working primarily in the Microschool during the afternoons, as well as occasionally floating between all classrooms as a support staff. When she's not with us in the woods, you can find Jules working at The Refill Station, a refillery in Portsmouth, attempting to end plastic pollution one bottle at a time through education and conscious consumerism.
In her personal time, she can typically be found enjoying time in nature. Her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, laying in a hammock, climbing trees, and catching frogs! She is thrilled to spend the summer getting to connect with each kid and help them flourish into naturalists through fun filled outdoor experiences!

Special shout out to our substitute staff and "specials" team

Bash D.
Substitute Staff

Jackie Lee
Yoga Teacher from Seacoast Sound Bath

Sydney Silk
Substitute Staff

Nikki Richardson
Art Teacher