serena flores

serena@MANZANITASCHOOL.ORG

Serena acts as one of Manzanita’s Forest Kindergarten co-teachers. She is an experienced educator that focuses on bringing lots of love, laughter, and creativity into student’s daily schedules. From 2016-2020, Serena worked as the lead teacher at The Homestead Preschool, an outdoor, nature-based preschool in Topanga. This experience led her to understand that beauty, innocence, imagination, and empowerment come from immersing the child in outdoor learning experiences. Serena runs a summer camp for children ages 3-5 where she has the opportunity to meet new families, gain teaching and business experience, and provide a safe, nurturing, and exciting community. Manzanita is meaningful for Serena due to her ability to come to work every day and be fully present when on the land with children, immersing herself in the wonder, innocence, and imagination of each child. Being able to sing together, enjoy tea time, create stories, find treasures in the creek, and hear the children's laughter throughout the land makes her heart so full. She feels lucky to be able to meet new families and help grow the Manzanita community each year, fostering excitement about being in the Magical Forest. Outside of school hours, she enjoys crocheting, cooking, baking pies, dance parties, warm weather, the beach, picnics, and singing at the top of her lungs in the car.

Educational Background: Serena holds Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education and in Child and Adolescent Development, as well as completing Level 1 Training at The Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers.

Joined: 2021 (Year Eight)