About Moon Flower
We are a small play-based in home learning community focused on expression through art, anti-bias education and the wonder of the natural world. Our mission is to give children a safe, warm and magical place to wonder, explore and express. We want to create a place where children feel the strength and beauty of having a community hold and value them. We wish to foster an environment in which children respect and embrace differences and have the confidence to stick up for themselves and others in the face of unfairness.
Meet our teachers
Alisha Flowers
Director & Teacher
Hello! I’m Alisha Hughes (she/her), teacher and director at Moon Flower Preschool. I’ve been a preschool teacher since 2009 and was the program director for Tulip Tree Preschool for 3 years. I opened Moon Flower in Sept 2020 and it has been such an amazing experience! Throughout my career as a teacher and director, I have focused on anti-bias education, expression through the art and the wonders of the natural world. I’m incredibly inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy and believe in the importance and joy of constructivist curriculum. What I have loved the most is my connection with each child. To have the opportunity to see the world through a child’s eyes is the most magical and exciting thing! I got into teaching when I started working as a student teacher at Helen Gordon Child Development Center while obtaining my bachelors degree at Portland State University. I have lead workshops at Threads of Justice conference at Wild Lilac and held staff trainings at Tulip Tree and Creative Science School on supporting children’s gender identity and expression and learning about economic class and fairness with children. I was interviewed by Katie Kissinger for her book, Anti-bias Education, about my work with children.
I am so grateful for strong and caring community we have built together!
Emerson Leyva
Morning Teacher
Hi! My name is Emerson, I use he/him pronouns. I've been teaching young children for the past 13 years, including several years at Helen Gordon Child Development Center at PSU. It was there that I became fascinated with observing and listening to children, and learned ways of teaching using a wide variety of expressive arts. I'm always amazed by children's empathy, creativity, and sense of humor, and I'm delighted to join the community of learners here at Moon Flower.
AB Wild
Afternoon Teacher
Hello! I’m AB Theodore James Wild,
But you can just call me AB like ABC :)
My pronouns are He/They!
I have a bachelors in sociology with a focus on global inequality and a minor in psychology with a focus on child development!
I’ve worked with and for children the last 7 years in many capacities: nannying, foster care, teaching preschool and kindergarten ages, and even spent a month in South Africa serving children and their caretakers. My goal with each child I get the honor of knowing is to create a space where they are seen, heard, and loved unconditionally; giving them the safety to grow and learn at their own pace. Teaching has always been my biggest passion and I look forward to getting to know your unique and beautiful family!
Hours & Location
Location
NE Portland, OR in Vernon neighborhood
Hours of Operation
Monday- Friday
8am-5pm
Contact
Alisha Flowers
Testimonials
“Alisha taught our two kids over the span of 6 years, and we had a fantastic experience! Alisha is truly interested in knowing each child, and delights in details of their play that we never would have noticed. Her calm presence permeates the whole classroom, and her expertise in anti-bias curriculum and gender-diversity was a lifesaver for my family. By the end of our time with Alisha, she had taken on the role of director as well, keeping the community organized and informed with her friendly and understanding communications. We are truly lucky to have had Alisha as a central part of our children's early childhood education, and we highly recommend any family to her new preschool.”
-KP, Parent
“My son was Alisha’s student, and she was one of his favorites! We were incredibly lucky to have someone with her knowledge, skills, and imagination working with him. Alisha was incredibly caring and attentive to my son. He talked all of the time about her stories and how much he loved talking to her. She is absolutely an amazing teacher!”
-JC, Parent
“Our daughter has attended Moon Flower School since the day the doors opened and she has thrived there. Alisha and the other teachers have created a safe, nurturing, and fun environment and the thoughtful attention to using an anti-bias curriculum is something our entire family has benefitted from. It was nerve-wracking to start at a new school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Alisha is extremely careful and the safety precautions and open lines of communication have eased our worries. Our daughter adores Moon Flower and has made great friends during her time there, has learned so much, and we will be sad to say goodbye when kindergarten starts next fall.”
-EW, parent
“Alisha was the program director of the preschool our son attended and we couldn't have been more pleased with the experience he had. Alisha cultivates an environment that feels immediately warm and welcoming and in which children feel connected, respected and celebrated for who they are. She is clear in her values and brings a calm and confident presence. We saw so many sides of our son flourish and develop in Alisha's care and under her leadership; namely his curiosity, his creativity, and his sense of self. As parents, we felt like Alisha was a true partner in our son's wellbeing; someone who had an authentic relationship with him and genuinely cared for him. Alisha also fostered a healthy and engaged community of teachers and families that all cared for one another. We are incredibly grateful for the role she played in creating such a special and solid early educational experience for our son and family.”
-SL, parent