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Emma Yeung
Emma Yeung opened Little Leaf Playgarden in 2016 after graduating from the LifeWays early childhood program.
Emma is a native to Britain but relocated to Oklahoma in 2011 to start a family after meeting her husband abroad. They now have three wonderful children and reside in Oklahoma City.
Emma worked with preschool aged children in England whilst in College and has always felt drawn to protecting and advocating the importance of early childhood education. Prior to opening Little Leaf, Emma hosted monthly Nature Play events for the community and founded Nature Explorers OKC, a thriving home school co-op. She understands the value of unstructured play, the importance of sleep and the benefits of healthy food for preventative care. She believes in slowing down and living intentionally, and implements that within her school and life. Emma Yeung is a nurturing caregiver who encourages children to believe in themselves and to overcome challenges. She guides the children through gardening, baking, sewing and finger knitting. Emma loves to read and sing to the children and is often at the center of the children's mud kitchen play.
In her spare time Emma loves to craft, cook, garden, travel and ride her bike, and is excited to live in a fast growing city, where she hopes to get more children outside enjoying nature.
Emma's qualifications include:
BA (hons) International Business and Management
LifeWays early childhood graduate
Project Learning Tree certified
Certificate in Urban farming
First Aid and CPR
Oklahoma Conservation Leadership Academy 2019
CDA
Aneta Trimble
Aneta was born and grew up in a small farming community in Poland before moving to Oklahoma at the age of thirteen. She is now a mom to two young children, Klara and Tom, and lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, two cats, a bulldog, and a recent addition of a dozen chickens.
Before joining Little Leaf, Aneta taught English as a second language to young children and spent several years working in early childhood programs. Following the birth of her daughter she discovered her love for play-based learning, natural parenting, and the value of slowing down to truly connect with children. She strives to create an environment which is beautiful, inspiring, and nurturing, where children’s development is fostered by their natural surroundings and rhythms are woven into the cycle of the year. Aneta holds an MA in English with a focus on Literature and Traditional Studies and certifications in Early Childhood and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. In her free time, she loves to read, garden, bake, take pictures and explore nature with her family.
Kara Sanders
Kara was born and spent summers as a child in Oklahoma, though, mostly grew up in southeast Texas. She comes from a blended family of four siblings and is fortunate to have ended up with two amazing sets of parents.
Before joining Little Leaf, Kara taught kindergarten for six years in the Mid-Del School District, however, decided to take a leave of absence to stay home with her two wonderful daughters—Reese and Avery. Witnessing firsthand their literacy growth and development led Kara to pursue a Masters in Reading with the hope of becoming a Reading Specialist. She currently offers private reading therapy to children and loves it.
In her spare time, Kara enjoys being outdoors—whether it’s taking her girls to the lake or on a hike or taking her dogs—Shirley and Scout—for a walk around their neighborhood. Some of her passions are books, traveling, music, food, and art.
The Little Leaf community brings Kara such joy and fulfillment—she is beyond grateful to be surrounded by the children, teachers, and families who make it so very special.
Kara’s Qualifications Include:
B.S. in Early Childhood Education—The University of Oklahoma
Masters in Reading—The University of Central Oklahoma
Oklahoma Teaching Certification in Early Childhood & Elementary Education
Oklahoma Reading Specialist Certification
First Aid & CPR certified
Dawn Maxwell
Dawn Maxwell is an Okie, born and raised, although she lived in 5 other states as a child including New York and New Mexico. She attended the University of Oklahoma but stepped away from her education to raise her children. She now has four beautiful and unique children. Two are in their 20’s and have a band that takes them all across the world, while her husband, Bryson and herself raise their younger two here in the city!
Dawn briefly opened her own preschool before pivoting into a different direction. She has nannied for several families and introduced those families to the ideas of play-based learning. She is also a regular substitute at her kids elementary school. Most recently, she has been a teacher at Little Leaf Playgarden which has just been a dream come true!
When not playing with kiddos, Dawn enjoys camping, roller skating, gardening, yoga and reading.