ALL SCHOOL SUPPORT EDUCATOR

Jenn Lacey is an early education teacher, trauma-informed surf instructor, surfer, yogi, dog mom and lover of all things ocean and nature.

Jenn is by far the happiest when she’s outside in nature. She has long regarded the ocean as her greatest teacher. Born in San Diego and living most of her life there, the ocean is her happy place, peace of mind, forever home.

Jenn received her B.A. in Psychology with emphasis in Elementary Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, particularly fascinated with holistic healing, the transformative and therapeutic properties of nature, the connection between surfing and mental health. It was during this time she uncovered her yearning to teach children the virtues of outdoor play.

Jenn has been working with children and families in a variety of educational, recreational and cross-cultural settings since 2011. Jenn first discovered the concept of forest/nature schools after college while living in South America teaching at alternative education schools, including Montessori, Waldorf and nature-based schools. This enhanced her own teaching repertoire immensely with different perspectives and methods of education. Out of all her various teaching experiences, Jenn resonates most with the philosophy of nature schools.

Currently, Jenn is Co-Founder, Lead Teacher and Surf Instructor at Ocean School, an all-outdoors learning program for elementary-age children based in Ocean Beach, San Diego. Their mission is to empower children through surfing and outdoor play and to cultivate a lifelong love and connection to the ocean, themselves, each other, and community.

Jenn’s teaching philosophy is that every child has the ability to not only learn, but also LOVE to learn. Above everything else, Jenn strives to create a space where all students are seen, heard, and loved exactly as they are.

Jenn is so joyful, thankful and honored to be part of the All Friends team and get to be and do everything that she believes in and loves!