Our Staff
Committed to fostering a deep connection between students and the natural world, our team of educators brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm to every aspect of our nature-based curriculum. Each member of our staff has been carefully chosen for their profound passion for the environment and their expertise in various fields. With their diverse backgrounds and qualifications, our staff members enrich the learning environment, inspiring students to explore the wonders of the natural world.
Maren Peterson
Founder/ Elementary Teacher
At the helm of our institution is our visionary school director, Maren Peterson. With her unwavering dedication to education, Maren has shaped Stepping Stones into a beacon of sustainable learning. She spearheads our efforts to provide an immersive and transformative experience for each student, ensuring that they develop a lifelong love and respect for nature. Maren’s journey to establishing Stepping Stones Nature School has been decades in the making. While growing up in northern Indiana, Maren was always outdoors. She developed a deep appreciation not only for nature, but also for the relationships one can develop while enjoying nature together with peers.
Maren earned a B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University. After graduation she taught children ranging from toddlers to first grade. While continuing to develop her educational perspectives, Maren received Orton-Gillingham training through Farleigh Dickinson University.
While homeschooling her three children, Maren’s teaching philosophy truly took shape. She was reminded of the importance of the joy of learning, which can lead to a deeper understanding of content and a desire for lifelong learning.
Maren is certified in the state of New Jersey to teach toddlers-3rd grade. She is CPR/BLS certified.
Hope Long
2.5-4 year old Teacher
Hope will be joining Stepping Stones Nature School as the 2 1/2 - 4 year old preschool teacher. She earned her B.A. from Stockton University with a degree in environmental studies. This past year she earned a certificate of completion for the Cedarsong Way Foundations Course. This is the first step to becoming a certified Cedarsong Way teacher, which is the first forest kindergarten accreditation program in the United States.
Prior to joining Stepping Stones Nature School, she was a preschool teacher at Star Child Nature School for three years and before that an environmental educator at Project H.E.A.L. Hope believes that the most important aspects of childhood are play, cooperation, kindness, and developing a love of the natural world. She fosters these in her personal life by taking walks often, meditating daily, reading, working out, and spending time with her loved ones. Children in school deserve a calm, slow, loving environment and she works hard at creating a space that provides just that each day.
Jay Gibson
Music Teacher /Assistant Teacher
Jay Gibson graduated from Elizabethtown College in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in music, concentrating in classical flute performance, and a minor in psychology. In college they performed in a variety of ensembles and studied several instruments including piano and guitar. They also taught flute lessons as an undergraduate student. Jay is currently teaching piano and ukulele lessons to children in the community, and they are looking forward to sharing their love for music with the students at Stepping Stones.
Jennifer Weiner
Assistant Teacher
Jennifer Weiner is excited to be joining Stepping Stones Nature School as an assistant teacher. Jennifer is happy to bring with her a diverse background and experience. Her academic pursuits led her to attain an Associates Degree in Animal Science from Camden County College, which subsequently paved the way for her decade-long career as a Graduated Veterinary Technician, encompassing four years of service within an exigent emergency veterinary hospital setting. Jennifer also graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Psychology with an emphasis on child and adolescent development. Currently, Jennifer shares her love of the outdoors with her two children, boy/girl twins. She is raising them with a love of nature and animals. Jennifer looks forward to sharing that love with the students at Stepping Stones!
Randi Behr
Kindergarten Teacher
Randi obtained her Bachelor's degree from Rider University, majoring in Elementary Education and Psychology, with a minor in Special Education. Her professional experience encompasses roles as a Kindergarten teacher and Special Education Inclusion teacher across various grade levels including 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades. Subsequently, Randi made the decision to transition from her educational career to devote her time to nurturing her three sons at home.
Central to Randi's educational philosophy is the belief that children should be afforded the opportunity to fully embrace their childhood, and as such, she employs an approach grounded in developmental appropriateness. As she embarks on the next chapter of her journey, Randi eagerly anticipates an enriching and productive year at Stepping Stones.
When not busy teaching, Randi dedicates the majority of her time to her three sons, aged 5, 3, and 1, as well as her husband and dog. Randi and her family often gravitate towards outdoor activities, frequently visiting a nearby lake. The activity of these three spirited boys has reinforced her conviction in the value of unstructured play in nature.
Marisa Corry
Art Teacher & Music Teacher
Marisa is thrilled to be teaching art classes at Stepping Stones! Marisa is a certified teacher, small business owner, artist, and musician. She has a passion for the creative arts and helping children discover their inner artist. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from West Chester University, and was an elementary music teacher in Marlton from 2014 until 2021, when she had her daughter. She is the owner of The ARTery Studio LLC, a creative art studio for all ages. Marisa is also the founder of the Pineland Arts Center in Medford and hopes her small business will help local families explore the arts in her hometown. You might see Marisa performing live music with local bands or painting in her backyard with her daughter and dogs.
Jalice Pierce
Preschool Teacher
Jalice is a nature enthusiast who graduated from Rowan University with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Writing Arts. Jalice has taught in both the public school and nature school setting and provides a perfect balance for fostering and nurturing education. Jalice intends on building an everlasting foundation toward student’s academic success, growing mindfulness and environmental consciousness. As a nature lover herself, Jalice sees and holds deep respect to the natural world and hopes to encourage children to use what is provided by the Earth to learn, feel and connect.