sustainability
Here at Spencer Creek Farm, our vision is to steward the land in the most sustainable ways that we can. We practice organic farming and apply the methods of hügelkultur gardening in our garden and the orchard. We collect and conserve water, reduce our energy consumption by having the school semi off-grid, and find creative ways to upcycle everything we can.
We believe in getting our hands in the Earth and communicating kindly with the animals we care for. We tend to our flock of laying hens and ducks, providing them with organic feed and compost (collected in the classroom at the end of our meals) in exchange for manure for the garden, and beautiful eggs that are used in the meals we provide and make together in the school and in Morgan’s bakery here at the farm. We also tend to our small flock of heritage Soay sheep that are part of a conservation project that is based in Philomath, Oregon. These sweet sheep help care for the land by munching up the blackberries, weeds, and grass, as well as nourishing the soil with their droppings. We are in the process of connecting with community members who can share their knowledge in processing the sheep’s beautifully soft brown wool for use in the classroom.
The meals that we create and share here in the school use organic ingredients that are either procured from our farm or other local farms/businesses as much as possible. We strongly believe in the importance of supporting our local economy and the people who make it work!
By participating in the care of the land and animals, the children get to witness firsthand the gentleness and hard work that is called upon to be thoughtful, compassionate human beings. We collaborate, communicate, and problem solve together, bringing us closer as a community. We are learning as we go, and are so excited to welcome the expertise of our community- especially you! We are eager to connect with anyone who wishes to share their knowledge with us.
Meet Us!
Emily Just
Teacher Emily (she/her) is Spencer Creek Farm School's Founder, Director, and Head Teacher. Her passion for working with children was sparked over 16 years ago, thus beginning her career in this field. She found her true calling in Early Childhood Education and obtained her degrees in ECE and Human Development. In her years of work with young children, she has honed in on her philosophy of teaching, taking inspiration from the Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf models of education. Her unparalleled compassion for preserving the wonder of childhood shines through her every interaction with the children she engages with. She deeply trusts in children's capabilities to lead their own experiences through uninterrupted play and opportunities to freely explore their environment.
Teacher Emily lives with her husband, Morgan (meet him below), and their two young children in their home located here at Spencer Creek Farm.
Morgan Just
Morgan (he/him) fills so many roles here on the farm! From gardening and caring for the animals, to bushwhacking the trails on the property and milling our shelves from downed trees, to turning almost any round object into a spinning top, and (probably most importantly) teaching bread making and baking with the children. He operates his own small bakery, Just Bread, located here on Spencer Creek Farm! You can also catch Morgan at the local Whiteaker Farmer's Market as well as the Veneta Farmer's Market Spring-Fall!
Rachel Ingram
Teacher Rachel (she/her) brings such a sweet sense of genuine love and friendship to the school. She has a thorough background in education and has been in the field for nearly 18 years. She has been a nanny, a teacher, assisted families with homeschooling, and worked in both private and public school settings. She opened a Waldorf inspired school and was the supervisor of a teen center. She is a strong advocate for children’s rights to their own approach to learning, and enthusiastic about finding new ways to engage each and every child. Rachel is a very beloved friend here on the farm, as are her two children that join us in our adventures! She is also has 2 teenage step-kids! We are honored to have her creativity, nurturing presence, and engaging spirit here with us. “I can say with confidence that being here at Spencer Creek is exactly where I want to teach and have my children learn." -Rachel
Linda Ybarra-Wick
Linda Ybarra-Wick (she/they) has been working with young children and their families for over ten years. She has spent time in a variety of early learning settings (including: Waldorf, Montessori, RIE, and ECEAP). Linda holds a B.A.S in Early Childhood Education from North Seattle College. Growing up in rural California, she attended a small school inspired by Waldorf and Peace Education. This was the warm, fostering environment that inspired Linda to become a teacher. In her free time Linda enjoys exploring the outdoors with her partner, and their son Alec. She loves meeting up with friends and playing music, as well as knitting ,baking and gardening.
What is Our Curriculum?
Play, play, and more play! Play is the work of the child. In our classroom, you won't see a set calendar of prescribed activities. Instead, we focus on implementing a predictable daily rhythm that includes activities and offerings inspired by the children we have in front of us. These offerings will include bread baking with our resident baker, process art with a wide array of materials and mediums, gardening, caring for the animals, and tons of freedom to get messy! Through a combination of open-ended play and child-led emergent curriculum, children will engage in opportunities that build strength and receive support in social-emotional development, fine and gross motor development, language and literacy development, cognition, and areas of self-regulation and empathy. These activities will be determined by the children's current interests and inquiries. The nurturing environment and warm teachers welcome children into the community of learners with the intention of encouraging their innate curiosity to explore the world around them.