founder/Director and lead teacher
Meg Neal (they/she) + pup of wonder, olie
A midwest native, I grew up romping in the deciduous forests around our family home and swimming along the shores of Lake Erie. In the fall of 1999, I attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Subsequent years were spent teaching in small democratic based elementary schools, working on farms and in bakeries, and traveling a fair bit around our country from Maine to Maui. In 2008, I found Portland and fell in love with the grit, charm and quirks that made up this city. I first taught Kindergarten and then preschool at Trillium Public Charter School. After three years with Trillium I took a one year sabbatical and lived at Yasodhara Ashram in the Kootenay Mountains of British Columbia - studying yogic philosophy and practicing karma yoga. Upon returning to Portland, I taught preschool at Helen Gordon Child Development Center and simultaneously attended Portland State University to receive my Masters in Sustainability Leadership, Policy and Education.
It’s been my dream to open a preschool built on the foundation that play is at the core of childhood. Since the dream was conceived I’ve spent the better part of these past years preparing for this by learning skills and trades that allow me to feel capable of directing a preschool that I can proudly stand behind. One where children are encouraged to create their own theories of the world, spend time in the ecological environment around them and learn how to navigate conflict with compassion and awareness. One where families feel a part of a greater community. And one where teachers, families and children know they are held and supported by one another.
Time away from PPP is spent in the garden, at the yoga studio, playing with my pups, studying + visiting plants, cooking, thinking about garden/interior design (+ real estate + where + how to buy a cabin on a river), and most recently, learning how to surf.
Olie attends PPP a couple of days a week. He loves playing catch, belly rubs, his lil’ sister Sal, afternoon naps + snacks.
Mentor + Lead teacher, curriculum specialist
colleen d. (she/her)
My name is Colleen and my family and I recently moved to Portland from Chicago, where I was the Curriculum Design Manager for a small play-based, nature-loving school. Over the course of my education journey (20+ years!) I’ve been a classroom teacher, a center director, a curriculum manager & mentor, and a preschool parent! As an educator, I see myself as a co-learner alongside the children, and a facilitator of play & exploration. I hope to work in collaboration with families, as you are your child’s first and most important teacher. I hope to learn about the children, to discover their play patterns, their interests, and the joy they find through playful learning.
When I am not teaching, you can find me in the woods with my son (finding and arranging natural treasures into satisfying patterns), riding my bike through the city, or sipping on all the wonderful coffee that Portland has to offer. I am excited to learn, grow, and play with each of you!
lead teacher
molly d. (she/her)
A beginner’s mindset has kept me very busy in the decade since graduating from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s in Design. Upon moving to Portland in 2014, I worked in creative agencies as a UX designer and design researcher for about 7 years. In that time, I took a sabbatical to work at Camp Stomping Ground in upstate New York–I had years of previous experience working as a counselor at the YMCA summer camp I went to as a kid. My time at Stomping Ground really connected me to my purpose, and after that 2018 summer, I continued to be involved in their community on the side. I helped lead Zoom programming during the early days of COVID lock down (dance parties! craft sessions!), and eventually I went back to Stomping Ground in 2022 to be a Village Director and Teen “after party” planner.
After stepping away from the professional design world during the pandemic, I chose to make a firm pivot away from the world of desks. For about two years, I split my time between being a Substitute teacher for PPS, working in a small restaurant, and building my ice cream catering business.
In my role as a lead teacher at PPP, I am excited to bring a patient and playful child care approach, one centered around collective problem solving, conflict resolution, and creative freedom. I am always trying to find a way to engage children’s imagination, and usually find myself getting immersed in play right alongside them, dirty feet and all.
assistant Teacher
vinh p. (they/them)
My name is Vinh, and I was born here in Portland, Oregon. I graduated from Portland State University receiving a BFA in art practices, with a particular interest in printmaking and installation design. Before coming to PPP, I worked at Outdoor Science School where I fell in love with working in education. There I had the opportunity to write and teach a curriculum that connected high schoolers and 6th graders in a learning alliance, whose goal was to connect scientific learning to nature. To me, a learning alliance looks like a network of relationships where the community is committed to working towards broadening collective knowledge; and the community is shaped by the unique knowledge and interests individual learners bring to the table. After Outdoor School, I taught art classes in screen printing at Madras High School and at the Bay City Arts Center where I explained the artistic process through a learning cycle that encouraged play as a form of design research. I think that my experience as an artist and in education have brought me to PPP and I feel so grateful to be a part of this learning community.
afternoon lead teacher
elisa r. (she/her)
Hello, my name is Elisa and I am a new resident to Portland! I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I grew up collecting rocks, making mud cakes, drawing, and playing musical instruments. While attending junior college, my focus was directed towards building my art portfolio and perfecting my music performances. I was offered a job as an assistant in a small preschool one summer and this opportunity changed everything.
From then on, I began shifting my pathway into early childhood education with a focus in early art education. I became certified as a lead teacher and continued studying early childhood education and human development at Pacific Oaks College. I began teaching at Pacific Oaks Children’s school while continuing my schooling. I have taught for over 10 years as a preschool and early art educator within Los Angeles. I have also taught for many years at an amazing art studio for children called Purple twig in Eagle Rock. I learned a lot about myself as a teacher and the beauty of process-focused art experiences.
I am a co-founder of Arroyo Nature School, a nature-based preschool in Pasadena. Our school aims to foster a deep connection between children and the environment around them. I'm thrilled to embark on a new journey here in Portland and I look forward to this new adventure with Portland Play Project!
When I am not teaching, I am taking care of my fur babies, Jiminy (chiweenie) and Uma (tuxedo cat). I also enjoy painting, building pottery, learning about plants and playing my bass or ukulele.
Our Program
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