TARA HENTELEFF

Tara has been working in early childhood education since 1997. After completing her BA in Environmental Studies at Naropa University in Colorado she moved to Northern California to complete a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University. While completing her MA she worked as a Lead Preschool Teacher under the mentorship of an amazing educator, Franny Minervini-Zick. During this time she studied and completed numerous trainings in various educational philosophies including Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori. Additionally, she became a docent for school programs in the Laguna de la Santa Rosa and LandPaths, bringing a diverse population of elementary school aged children into nature. She received a Program Director certificate through the SRJC.

After deciding to move back east to be closer to family, Tara worked as a lead teacher for Hoya Kids Learning Center at Georgetown University. Once her first child was born, Tara taught part time at Audubon Nature Preschool. Following the birth of her second child, she worked at CASA, a Reggio Emilia-inspired summer camp in Washington DC. Not a year after her third child was born Tara and her family relocated to Asheville in 2017. Since then Tara has worked at AWS as the Rest Nest Assistant and Aftercare teacher as well as numerous terms as Parent Representative. 

When not teaching Tara soaks up the beauty of living in the mountains with her family by hiking, swimming, exploring, learning, and creating.