Lesley Romanoff, (pronouns she/her) is director and lead teacher. She teaches 3, 4, and 5-year olds and their parents. There is a lot to say about her work because she has been in the business for a long time, but here is all you need to know. She loves teaching young children and being outside with them, through all kinds of weather, in all kinds of adventures, is the best way to spend a day — teaching and learning alongside children.

She created the School’s summer program, Tinkering at the Cooperative School, for 5 through 10-year olds that reclaims the magic of adventure play, den-building, and outdoor adventures. She created a program to extend outdoor education to public elementary schools to help students access urban forests and green spaces through an #Optoutside. This program is partially funded with a grant from the City of Takoma Park and other partners. The Cooperative School—its forest program along with its spaces, philosophy, and commitment to the parent-participatory model—reflect her approach to early childhood education in nature, play, and art.