Nicole Negley

Third & Fourth Grade Lead Teacher

I am a Lawrence Kansas native. I left town at 19 and lived in Bloomington, Indiana for 14 years. While in Indiana, I started a family and studied Sociology and Political Science at Indiana University. I began raising my little family in Bloomington before returning to Kansas to pursue my special education degree and return to the comforts of home and extended family. I attended KU’s graduate school program for early childhood unified (birth to age 6) and special education (K-6th grade) and completed the program in December 2015. In the span of 8 years, I taught in 4 different public schools primarily in special education and I also worked as a parent educator and early interventionist through Kansas tiny-k where I was a ECSE (Early Childhood Special Educator). I spent a practicum semester at Bambini Creativi, a Reggio-Emilia school driven from an Italian Approach to education. During my studies in the Early Childhood Program at KU I did short term studies with Waldorf Education, Montesorri and other artistic, creative, imaginative and play based educational approaches.

I received my 200 hour yoga teacher certificate with Gopi Sandal’s Yoga with Heart teacher training program which I completed during the years 2019-2020. I studied Bhakti yoga traditions and other love rhythmic yoga expressions. I teach kids yoga at lava yoga Lawrence. During my kids classes, I incorporate, mindfulness, music, story telling and self regulation which are geared for the needs of children 4-12 years old. I model for each child and frequently modify for each child. I am in my second year of teaching as a Waldorf teacher at Prairie Moon. I am moving through my second year at Sound Circle Center for Arts and Anthroposophy, Grades Teacher Training (1-8)- based out of Whidbey Island, Washington (near Seattle) where I study Waldorf Pedagogy. It has been an amazing journey where I am developing self awareness, passion for the truth and compassion for our diverse learners in this world. Through bringing my background and current reality in alignment with one another I have immersed myself in the program. I am blessed to work side by side as a colleague with my oldest child and beautiful confidant, Miss Molly who is a Lead teacher in the Early Childhood Program at Prairie Moon. I have recently joined our school’s board with the intent to learn more and help to support the organization and overall growth of our school. I look forward to my contributions to facilitate peace and harmony throughout our school community and broader community.

When I am not at the school, I love to bake, cook and spend time on walking adventures with my dog. I also spend time with my youngest child who is 15 and plays on the LHS soccer team and I enjoy attending Lawrence music events. I appreciate my yoga practice which helps to keep me calm and collected in this rapidly changing world in which we live. I enjoy drumming and singing and even though I am a true amateur in the garden, I like to explore and pretend I can make things grow out there in the dirt.

Through my self development this past year, I recognize it’s okay to admit our limitations and celebrate our strengths. For me, parenting my three amazing children over the years has been the best. Alongside parenting, growing little people socially, emotionally, physically and in truth and goodness at our school is my love and my daily practice that I live for.