Sierra Reese (pronouns: they/them) is the assistant teacher for the twos/threes (Seeds class) and works as a substitute as needed in other classes.

Sierra first became interested in early childhood development while in undergrad. They volunteered to help set up classrooms around DC before the school year began. Then they met their partner and she is an early childhood educator. They were able to help around the school and found it a very rewarding and enriching experience.

Initially they were pursuing academia with the intention of becoming a professor. Over time, they began to realize it wasn't what they were passionate about. They wanted to actively participate in educating youth as well as combining a love for plants and animals in one place. They have a lot of leadership, organizational, and educational skills, obtaining these skills in less conventional ways like being a math, Spanish, and special needs tutor in high school, or being a nanny over summers, being a resident assistant, being a teaching assistant and more. They feel that it’s an amazing opportunity to work inside the community where they live. Teaching at the cooperative school combines all of their loves; education, nature, children and community.

A few more things, Sierra has shared;

• I am originally from Maryland and went to school in Howard county

• I went to Howard University in DC and obtained my bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry

• I have 2 cats (Prismo and Clove; 3 if you count my roommates cat Pickles- and I do!)

• I love to read and have been doing so since I was 3

• I went into animal science because I enjoyed working outdoors and doing work related to climate change (I worked with fish as a marine scientist)

• In my freetime I read, hike, crochet, paint, collect rocks and love to try out new hobbies (my latest being pottery)