Leslee Moore (She/Her)

Hello Athena Community,

Preschoolers have always been my favorite people. I love their desire for independence, creativity, and sense of wonder. Connecting children back to nature and nurturing their sense of importance on this planet is what I’ve been teaching for over 20 years in various and interesting ways.

I have an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Lincoln Memorial University. Then followed a new love for being an Environmental Education Park Ranger for the National Park Service in parks like Big South Fork NRRA in Kentucky, Capitol Reef NP in Utah, and Great Smoky Mountains NP in Tennessee. After eight years with the park service, I got my certification as a Kripalu Yogadance Instructor and also decided it was time to mainly stay home to raise my two children, now ages 19 and 20. As I was deciding the best educational pedagogy for them, I learned about Montessori and have been in love with it ever since! I enrolled them in Montessori schools and enjoyed it so much, I became certified to be an early childhood guide from the North American Montessori Teaching Center. 

After being a preschool assistant and Lead Guide for five years in TN and OR, I was offered a new opportunity to start my own school at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN. In 2018, Ijams Nature Preschool was born! I developed my own curriculum from the Montessori science studies called “Naturessori,” and was the Administrator and Lead Nature teacher. Blending all my natural gifts and talents into a four year passion project that now is very successful and one of only two full time state licensed nature preschools in TN! With my children out of the nest, I had always wanted to live in Asheville, NC, so fall of 2022 I accepted a stress-free assistant position at Rainbow Community School, sold my house, and bought a truck and RV to live on a farm in NC. 

And last but not least, my move to Austin! My daughter Bella is a dog trainer in Hutto and seems like she may be in TX for a while. My son Luke is a kicker for his college football team in TN and all settled there. So, I decided why not hook up the RV and go live near my daughter! And that’s what I did. I’m loving the fun adventures she and I have had with our dogs already - my furry child, Wave the border collie, and Bella’s five dogs! We love to ride horses, backpack, be in water of all kinds, and explore new places, so bring on the suggestions! I am also very involved with my Native American based community and look forward to exploring ceremonies nearby at Thunder Ranch in West Point, TX. 

Even though I have some vast experience as a Montessori mom, teacher, assistant, and administrator, one of my core beliefs is that the best teachers remain teachable. I am ready to support Athena staff, children, and families any way I can, and learn lots of new things!

Warmly,

Leslee Moore