The first “classroom” Lauren experienced was the grapefruit groves her family cultivated for generations, where she dug in the dirt and helped care for trees with her dad. There, she learned that education is more than desks and tests; education is experiences, learning with your hands, cooperating with others to grow something new. Lauren loves witnessing each child’s unique sense of wonder about the world and welcomes the chance to be curious with them as they learn.

Lauren has a B.A. in psychology from The College of William and Mary and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from George Washington University. Alongside coursework in child development, Lauren interned at two different schools in D.C. She completed her residency at a community mental health center in Fairfax and then continued there as a full-time clinician, conducting individual and group therapy sessions for patients of all ages. After taking some time off to raise three toddlers, Lauren grew passionate about combining her background in psychology with early childhood education and five years ago returned to the workforce as a lead teacher at a Reggio-Emilia inspired preschool. She is excited to join The Village School Guide team and aid in cultivating young learners’ natural ability to follow their interests and learn in community with others.