Maria holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Prescott College as well as a M.A. in Secondary Education in Earth Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. She came to Oak Meadow in 2019 as an Upper Elementary Assistant Teacher and is very excited for her son, Talon, to join the community as a Beginner in the fall of 2021. She loves working at Oak Meadow where “students grow a deep love of learning, discover their academic abilities, develop compassion for the world around them and find self-motivation.” Before coming to Oak Meadow, Maria worked as a STEM Middle School Teacher at Parker Charter School in Devens, MA. She also worked for Nature’s Classroom in various locations throughout New England. Prior to becoming a teacher, Maria was an ornithologist and worked for the National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin based on the coast of Maine. She spent three summers living on coastal islands, working with seabirds. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in her garden, caring for her chickens and preserving food. She also likes to explore local hiking trails, travel around the country camping and hiking, and is an avid yogi and reader.