Jennifer Leeper Miller Lecturer, Director, Ruth Staples Child Development Lab

2009 M.S., Child Development, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2003 B.S., Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

As an early childhood educator and Master Teacher at the Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory, I have had the privilege over the past 11 years to establish an early childhood education environment based in the context of relationships. The relationships have been established among children, families, coworkers, student teachers, materials, and the environment. A foundation to my classroom environment has been supported by using natural environmental surroundings as a path to connect children and families to learning encounters. As a master teacher in the classroom, I encourage pre-service teachers to identify moments and wonders in nature as a tool to meet curriculum standards. One unique way I have encouraged children to connect to their natural world is by inviting children to take naps outside and have implemented outside nap times on several warm Nebraska afternoons. I have studied and observed in both Reggio Emilia, Italy and Beijing, China and was inspired by two different cultural views of Early Childhood Education. In spring of 2014, I was awarded the Terri Lynne Lokof/Children’s Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Award. I enjoy family time outside fishing, walking, exploring with my husband and three children, Leo 5, Ruby 4, and Dexter 1.

I am also the Director of the lab school. I focus on meeting the needs of our families, children, students, and staff. As the director of the lab school I maintain all required records for Nebraska licensing and NAEYC accreditation. It is a goal of mine to continue to build public relations and create professional opportunities for the staff members and students to disseminate action research taking place in our daily lives in the classroom.

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