I was born in Blacksburg Virginia and raised outside of Washington DC in Vienna Virginia.  I moved to (Boulder) Colorado in January of 2004.

I’ve worked with children for more than 20 years. In this time I have worked in both public and private schools as well as for Boulder Valley School District.  I started my first Play/Nature based Early Learning Center, Active Boulder Kids (ABK) Preschool (2008-2018) in Boulder. I expanded to Louisville (ALK) after I moved from Boulder to Louisville (2013) finally settling in Lafayette in 2015. I live in Lafayette now with my husband, dog and 2 sons. Both Active Louisville Kids!

I am passionate about being a mom to two active young boys.  Motherhood is both a challenge and reward every day.  I enjoy skiing and served on the National Ski Patrol in Virginia for 5 years before moving to Colorado.  I LOVE the great outdoors and nature.  I am at home in a forest and I am passionate about sharing my love for nature with future generations. It is essential to the future survival of our planet that young children learn to respect and appreciate nature.  It is amazing to be able to be living my lifelong dream to be able to combine my two passions: Nature and Children

Why I Teach: Young children are born ready to learn about the world and how to interact in it.  It is important to teach young children the importance of their role in preserving nature, caring for the environment, and respecting all life.  Love and acceptance of different cultures, races and species is taught. I consider it an honor to be able to participate in each child’s start to their lifelong journey of learning.  I also believe that all children should have the same opportunities to this early start to education.  Starting a school that welcomes all children is a dream and passion.

Unique Detail: I am passionate about learning about different cultures and countries.  I have traveled to all 50 states (Alaska and Hawaii being my final ones) and several countries.  Some of the places I’ve enjoyed traveling through include Italy, France, Switzerland, Ireland, Bolivia, Iceland, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Canada.
I followed my dream of working with children in Colorado after pursuing a less rewarding (for me) career in Office Management and administration in Northern Virginia and DC.  I worked just blocks from the White House in DC just before moving to Colorado.  The after effects of 9/11 effected my enjoyment of riding on the metro each day, leading me to look for new places to grow. Washington DC, Virginia and North Carolina stay close to me in my heart.

Education (Licenses, Certifications, Experience and Memberships)

Bachelors of Science: Psychology, Sociology; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University  (Virginia Tech)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Early Childhood Education, Front Range Community College

Certificate in Early Childhood Education Director and

Colorado State Director’s Qualification Letter

Boulder County District Group of the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (BCAEYC) Board Member (Past President 2012-2013)

BCAYEC Board Member (President 2011-2012)

BCAYEC Board Member (Treasurer 2008-2011)

Certificate of Appreciation by Boulder County District Group of the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Member

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Member                     
20 years of verified work hours completed with children ages 0-5 years in an early care and learning program.

Teaching Philosophy: Children learn best through ACTIVE play and exploration of their environment. Active bodies and active minds!  Children need fresh air, NATURE, movement and positive guidance and modeling from adults.  I believe in relationship based learning and encourage all teachers to start the learning process by building trust and a secure attachment with each child.  I believe in the power of learning through PLAY. During play, children learn about their world as they explore, create, imagine and figure things out! 

I have also been influenced by several early childhood education philosophies along the way, in particular Play Based -Playing to Learn/Learning to Play, Nature and Place Based, Montessori and Waldorf philosophies and the Reggio Emilia Approach.

What is Unique to You and Your Teaching?        

ABK and ALK teaching Philosophies came about with the lessons my dad (a forester) and mom (world traveler) taught me about the importance of being outside and in nature and to how and why we need to appreciate and respect cultural diversity.

My mom (Marylou Argow MEd, LMFT, LPC) taught me the importance of respecting and embracing cultural differences. She has traveled the world embracing new cultures and people along the way. Every child is unique and brings new and different family traditions, cultures, abilities, and languages into our community.  Teaching tolerance, kindness and acceptance through play, books, modeling and activities is essential. We can promote human respect and equality through education and advocacy. We all have so much to learn from each other and I am grateful we have a diverse community at ALK for us all to grow and learn in.

My dad (Dr. Keith Argow) is a Forester (PhD in forestry and political science) as well as a business and land owner. He passed on to me the love of nature and the importance of promoting the value of forestry. I was always outside in nature on our family lands and park lands across the country as a kid. I learned to respect, love and appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature.  I was taught to work the land and the importance of developing conservation practices.  There is no better place to experience hands on active learning then in the woods where a child’s imagination and play has no boundaries.