The Kalamazoo Nature Center is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create relationships and experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature. Because we value the strength diversity brings to the workplace, KNC is committed to the recruitment, retention, and development of a workforce that reflects the society in which we live.
Learn more about our Nature’s Way Preschool staff below; teachers are listed by classroom.
2 day South ClassroomHolly Morris
Holly had been a teacher at Nature’s Way since 2006. She has a BS in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement from WMU. She loves exploring nature with young children, especially her daughter Wren, age 5. In her spare time, she also enjoys music with her husband in a few local bands: Tambourina , Overly Polite Tornados, and Glowfriends.
Meri Morrow
Meri graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Education with minors in Art, Science and Early Childhood Education. She has almost 20 years experience teaching children of various ages, Pre-K through eighth grade. Meri’s son PJ attended Nature’s Way Preschool which started her love of nature-based learning. She has been subbing and teaching at Nature’s Way Preschool since 2018. She is looking forward to watching your children learn and grow in nature!
2 day North ClassroomShannon Ladouceur
Shannon joined the Nature’s Way team in 2016. She has a BS in Zoology from MSU and an Early Childhood/Elementary teaching certification. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching through Miami University. Shannon has worked as a zoo educator at Binder Park School and taught kindergarten in Texas. She loves working with young children and sharing her enthusiasm for animals, nature, and the outdoors with her students. Shannon is the NWP Parent Green Team coordinator and is passionate about promoting conservation values.
Laura Sacha
Laura is starting her 1st year with NWP having recently returned to Kalamazoo after teaching Environmental Education in Seattle, WA for 3 years. She has a BS in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University and has been teaching students from age 5 to 45 years old in various roles for the past 6 years. Laura approaches education with a strong belief in student-lead, experiential learning and a commitment to fostering a connection to nature for all.
3 day South ClassroomMichele VanAllen
Michele has been a preschool teacher, a reading tutor, and has volunteered at NWP and KNC for several years in a variety of programs, including serving as a KNC Board Member. She has a BS in Environmental Science from MSU, a Master of Environmental Science, and a Master of Education from WMU. She has been married to Erik for 28 years and they have two girls, Kara, who lives and works in Boston, and Mia, a student at MSU. She has a dog named Daisy and a cat named Ozma.
Holly Morris
Holly has been a teacher at Nature’s Way since 2006. She has a BS in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement from WMU. She loves exploring nature with young children, especially her daughter Wren, age 5. In her spare time, she also enjoys music with her husband in a few local bands: Tambourina , Overly Polite Tornados, and Glowfriends.
3 day North ClassroomKaitlin Lindahl
Kaitlin joined the NWP team in 2019. She has a BS in Biology from GVSU and recently completed her Master of Arts in Environmental Education with Concordia University. She comes to us from the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery where she has been a Natural Resource Educator for 6 years. She has been a substitute teacher in several local school districts and was an assistant preschool teacher for 2 years. In her spare time she loves to go cross-country skiing with her husband, hiking, kayaking, dancing and playing hockey. She is a new mom to Rory, born in 2021.
Shannon Ladouceur
Shannon joined the Nature’s Way team in 2016. She has a BS in Zoology from MSU and an Early Childhood/Elementary teaching certification. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching through Miami University. Shannon has worked as a zoo educator at Binder Park School and taught kindergarten in Texas. She loves working with young children and sharing her enthusiasm for animals, nature, and the outdoors with her students. Shannon is the NWP Parent Green Team coordinator and is passionate about promoting conservation values.
Heather became director of Nature’s Way Preschool in 2011. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from MSU and a Master of Education from GVSU. She has been a Young Fives teacher and a Headstart Director. Her children, Paige (a student at MSU), Ella (a student at NMU) and Spencer (14) are all proud alumni of Nature’s Way Preschool. She and her husband Nick, a teacher in Mattawan, spend their free time hiking and mountain biking. Her love for NWP began as a parent and continues as an educator, experiencing the power of nature play every day.
