Meet the Teachers
Emilee Little
Third/Fourth Grade
Emilee has worked in various domains of education for nearly two decades. She started in elementary curriculum design and then moved into corporate education. In 2013, she launched and led a mid-high school for international refugees in Oklahoma City. She transitioned into education research and design, where she developed an educational curriculum for peace-centered learning. She wholeheartedly believes education shapes identity, so how we educate matters. Emilee graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma, where her studies focused on Family and Child Development. When school is not in session, you can find Emilee sharing meals with friends, escaping to the mountains, or starting new projects. She is a creative trailblazer, mom to one amazing human, and partner to a great guy. They love their cats, dog, and neighbors in the heart of Oklahoma City.
Teah LeFlore
Third/Fourth Grade Assistant
Teah LeFlore has been working for 10 years now with children and teaching for 3 years. She is AED, CRP, and SIIDS certified. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma studying Elementary Education while assisting 3rd and 4th grade in hopes to be a main teacher one day.
Outside of her love for teaching, she is usually running, checking out the newest concert, or with Zoe her dog but sometimes, Back to Earth’s, dog.
Annabelle Davidson
Second Grade
Anna grew up in Moore, Oklahoma. Home of tornado alley and a true testament to what being from OKC means. Anna comes from a family with a unique range of children. She is the oldest of eleven grandchildren, with nine of them, including her brother, being autistic. These circumstances have allowed her to have a deep understanding that every child is indeed different, and every child deserves to learn at their own pace. Anna took her childcare experience from a young age & followed her intuition into the world of nannying. She has been a long-term caregiver for families in OKC for 10 years, while teaching yoga to the surrounding communities since 2017. Anna is currently pursuing the path of becoming a Waldorf Grades Teacher. When she is not taking care of kids, you can find her on the road with her three dogs, chasing nature’s alpine lines & wide open spaces.
Corley Correa
First Grade
Corley is an Oklahoma Native, raised in Piedmont. She studied Art Education at the University of Central Oklahoma & completed a Master’s of Education in English Language Instruction through Arizona State University. She has spent the past 15 years working in various teaching roles while also working at SkyWest Airlines as a flight attendant. When not enjoying views from 30,000 feet or sharing her love of learning with others she enjoys spending time with her husband Juan and two young daughters, traveling to new places, journaling, reading (especially magical realism) and soaking up all the seasons outside.
Morgan Reed
Kindergarten
With a passion for the sun and outdoors, Morgan taught private swim lessons and led several summer care programs and day-camps over the last 15 years. She made her way into the dental field in 2013 and was a surgical/dental implant assistant for 7 years. Shortly after she left the dental field she became a mother in 2020.
After much research and consideration regarding her child’s educational plans and wether or not to homeschool, in 2023, Morgan had found a magical, loving Waldorf-inspired school in her home town, OKC! Long story short: two weeks of witnessing her daughter experience Forest School and how beautifully the day flows at Back to Earth, not only did Morgan fall in love with the school and the community it brings, but also had found a deep interest and soul passion for studying Waldorf education.
Morgan has completed the LifeWays Fundamentals of Early Childhood training and is on track to complete her LifeWays Early Childhood Teaching Certification program by 2025. She enjoys studying Steiners works, reading, gardening, taking walks and exploring on the side. Morgan was the assistant in the kindergarten classroom last year and with much hard work and anticipation, she is now proud to say she is now THE kindergarten teacher! Her heart is absolutely filled when around children and watching them blossom & is so excited for her teaching journey.
Stacey
Kindergarten Assistant / Forest School
Stacey’s education at university focused on health and nutrition at Georgia Southern, in Savannah, GA. Her family grew, and this interest merged well when she found their first Waldorf Kindergarten on a mountain in Bulgaria and she attended seminars.
Stacey has recently returned to the US after moving to Europe with her family in 2007. It’s with a happy heart that she now calls Back to Earth a home away from home and is so excited to join as the kindergarten assistant in the Moon yurt this year! She spent the previous school year helping with Forest school and Spanish class, where she is also happy to continue contributing this school year.
As a mother of three, Stacey connected with Waldorf education in 2009 in Bulgaria and then Spain, where she regularly volunteered supporting English learning, gardening, and seasonal festivals. Her youngest daughter completed first grade here at Back to Earth, thriving in the unique combination of unhurried, heart-centered, art-filled learning, plus the enrichment of the great outdoors, immersed in nature each day.
Working every day as a TEFL certified English teacher for the past five years meant spending over 6500 hours playfully singing songs and encouraging children ages three to 12 years.
Stacey also begins studies for her ECE certification this year, finally being in a position to study in-person, in her native language!
Dawn Maxwell
Forest School
Dawn 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, as is teaching here!
When not playing with kiddos, Dawn enjoys camping, roller skating, gardening, yoga and reading.
Leigh Patton
Handwork/Fiber Arts & Parent & Child Playgroup
Leigh is an Okie and came into this world in love with making art. She is a mama of two and an interdisciplinary artist. She studied Art and Psychology at Western State University of Colorado in college. Many moons later she pursued a Masters in Art Therapy & Counseling. In between these educational endeavors, Leigh found Waldorf education. She studied anthropoposophy and handwork and has been involved for 13 years. She knew she had struck a chord of inner truth when she heard someone describe this type of education as having a motto of happy hands head and heart. She wanted to be a part of the movement ever since. Her many roles include handwork teacher, after-school teacher, and director of summer camps. She has taught across the country in Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico ranging from 1st to 12th grade. Leigh also hosts a parent and child playgroup known as Firefly Friends here at Back to Earth.
Carmen Braun
Forest Preschool
Carmen’s passion has always been caring for children and animals. She grew up raising sheep, cows, cats, dogs, and a variety of crops on her family’s farm in eastern Wisconsin. Gardening, cooking, crafting, creating, woodworking, sewing, knitting, mending, candle making, and building were all part of everyday life and continue to bring her joy. She loves to be outdoors, strives to be resourceful and exist lightly on the earth.
Carmen has 15+ years of professional childcare experience ranging from infant care to middle school. She spent 9 years raising three children as their full-time, live-in nanny, taught Grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 at Waldorf schools in New York. In Wyoming, she has led farm and forest summer camps, an afterschool program, and taught preschool for 18 month olds to 6 year olds. She was also the assistant director of the school and the chairman of school festivals. This winter, she taught a baking, gifts, and apothecary camp in North Carolina.
Carmen has earned her Master’s degree in Education, with an emphasis on outdoor learning and is certified as a Waldorf teacher. She loves empowering children to be self-sufficient and gain confidence through their growing skills and capabilities. Most of all, she loves bringing children into nature to explore, play, and learn in all types of weather!
Susanne Mims
Forest Preschool Assistant
Susanne was born and raised in Germany, where she gained her certifications in early childhood education, social work and animal assisted therapy.
Her professional journey took her to Portugal, where she had the opportunity to live and work. This international experience enriched her perspective and further deepened her commitment to creating nurturing, nature-centric learning environments for young children.
As an assistant teacher in the preschool class at our nature school, she is dedicated to fostering a love for nature, curiosity, and a sense of wonder in our students. Her goal is to support each child's unique journey, guiding them to discover their own potential and connection with the natural world.
At home, she is a proud mom to two wonderful kids, Emily and Patrick, who constantly inspire her with their curiosity and joy, reminding her of the importance of seeing the world with fresh eyes and an open heart. When she is not in the classroom, you can find her outside in nature, camping, hiking, or spending time with her horses to re-energize her spirit.
She also enjoys her social life by spending time with friends and living in a supportive community with other families, which helps her stay grounded and connected.
Sage Eden Smith
Ceramics
Sage has lived in Oklahoma City her whole life. She started taking ceramics during high school and, falling in love with every bit of the process, never stopped. Along with 12 years of experience in ceramics, Sage has 7 years of experience in childcare from nannying, to being a postpartum doula, to teaching ceramics for children ranging from 4-17. Sage was able to commit to ceramics full time in 2021 working for herself and now being a studio potter at Mammoth Clay Company. When her hands aren’t covered in clay, she loves to travel with her husband and find inspiration on this beautiful earth!
Katelyn Post
Soulful Seeds (Emotional Awareness)
Katelyn is an Oklahoma native, mother of two sweet boys and lover of the Earth. She has always had a passion for nurturing emotional wellbeing and supporting others. Through her own journey within motherhood, Katelyn realized just how important emotional intelligence education is. Struggling to find a curriculum that was nurturing the whole child, she created her own and this is how Soulful Seeds came to be!
Katelyn received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Oklahoma in 2019. She has continued her education through The Embody Lab, earning a certification in Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy. Katelyn is currently participating in a nine-month cohort to become a certified Embodied Mentor.
Katelyn’s passions include art, somatic dance, photography and exploring the Earth!