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Meet Nicole Yousefnia
Founder, Director, Educator/Guide

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Degrees
Licenses &
Certificates

  • Newburyport Youth Asset Builder Award 2023

  • Master in Arts, Special Education

  • Bachelor's in Science, Elementary Education with Science Focus

  • Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher Certificate, Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD

  • Massachusetts Early Education and Care Family Child Care License

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Affiliations

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Affiliations

  • Eastern Region of Forest and Nature Schools

  • Multicultural Families of the North Shore

  • Various Homeschool groups in the North Shore and Seacoast

  • Carriage Barn Equestrian Center

  • Newburyport Differently Wired Parent Community

  • Montessori Applied To Children at Risk-Shelton School, Dallas, TX

  • Gifted Education Courses-Arlington County VA

  • Cultural Competence Training-Arlington County VA Public Schools  (2 years)         

  • Transforming Your Program by Centering Narratives and Roles of Indigenous, Black and People of Color in Nature

Diversity Training

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Arts  Education Training

  • Arts Integration Training-Kennedy Center for the Arts (4 years )

    • Reading through Sound and Rhythm

    • Exploring World Cultures Through Music

    • Lyric Writing

    • Integrating Dance & Science

    • Poetry Alive

    • Integrating Drawing Throughout the Curriculum

  • Montessori Music and Movement

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Affiliations

  • Eastern Region of Forest and Nature Schools

  • Multicultural Families of the North Shore

  • Various Homeschool groups in the North Shore and Seacoast

  • Carriage Barn Equestrian Center

  • Newburyport Differently Wired Parent Community

Teaching Experiences

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  • Homeschool mom to and advocate for two amazing bi-cultural, differently wired children

  • Registered Behavior Therapist

  • Lead teacher in toddler program  at a private Montessori school

  • Public school Lower Elementary Montessori Teacher

  • U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa (2 years)     

 

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 Related  Experiences

  • Peace Education Committee

  • International Day Coordinator

  • Owner of the Etsy Shop, Worldly Minds, simplistic educational materials that honor the diversity of the world.

  • Gardener, reader, creator,  tree hugger,  explorer, observer, dreamer and life long learner

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What Parents are Saying

"Nicole has the uncanny ability to see things from both a child's perspective and through a highly educated and experienced child development expert's perspective simultaneously.  She strikes the perfect balance of validating kids' feelings to obtain comfort and security while also challenging them to learn and grow."

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Dr. Shana Perrucci, Psy.d

Mom and Clinical Psychologist

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"Nicole is the best teacher I know. She is very knowledgeable, passionate, and extremely intuitive. She wants to truly understand any and every child. She will go an extra mile to provide your child with experience that feeds child's hands, heart and head. ""

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Silwia Willcox

Mom and Mindfulness and Nature Based Educator

SMG was an ideal setting for my daughter. Every week my daughter was excited to go to Ms. Nicole's yard, where her imagination thrived. She gained confidence in the woods, felt at peace in the idyllic setting, and absolutely loved visiting and caring for her imaginary woodland unicorn. Nicole is a thoughtful, caring and intentional educator. She creates a space where children thrive. SMG was such a special part of my daughter's early years. I highly recommend.

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Alison Pruna

Mom, Teacher, RPCV

"I have known Nicole for nearly twenty years as a Montessorian, a special educator, a community organizer, a mother, and a friend.  Nicole recognizes each child's unique gifts and brings out the best in every person. Her creativity, tireless work ethic, and deep commitment to nurturing children and families is truly an inspiration!"

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Margaret Jarrell, M.Ed.

    Mom and Elementary Director, Greenspring Montessori School Auxiliary Trainer in Montessori for Aging and Dementia, Association Montessori Internationale

"Nicole has an incredible presence with children. She truly sees them and understands their individual needs. Watching her interact with my two quirky kiddos is like a crash course in teaching - I pay close attention and pick up some skills along the way!"

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Sheila Reardon Spalding, MLIS 

Mom, former Newburyport School Committee Member

and Outdoor Educator

Nicole is an avid learner, a trait that obviously spills over into her ever evolving program! She regularly implements new, research-based ideas to encourage a growth mindset in the children and creates novel environments/challenges for them to explore. Best of all, she shares countless resources with the community to promote success for all.

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Angela Anderegg

Mom and PhD. Neuroscience

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