Nancy Jones, M.S. Founder
Nancy Jones is the founder of The Children’s Farm School. She and her husband, Dave, live on the farm, where they raised their four children. She has a Master of Science in Child and Family Studies. Nancy is also the Board Director.
Jeanne Leppicello, B.S. Director
Jeanne is the Director of The Children’s Farm. She studied Therapeutic Recreation at Southern Connecticut State University. She lives nearby and is a parent of three former Children’s Farmers. Jeanne contributes special help for classes, the office and the farm and also helps with daily classes as needed.
Photo by Jeanne Leppicello
Photo by Toby Leppicello
Jenny Jacobson, B.S. Teacher
Jenny Jacobson returns for her 23rd year of teaching at The Children’s Farm. A former student at the Children’s Farm (80-81), she studied Child Development at the University of Nebraska. Jenny lives in Mahtomedi with her husband and three children. She enjoys gardening and the beach.
Kris Scheel, B.S. Teacher
Kris returns for her 9th year at the farm after having taught preschool for 12 years elsewhere in the St. Croix Valley area. She studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin, Stout. Kris lives in Bayport with her husband and has three adult children who attended the Children’s Farm in the summer. She enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her family.
Michele (Mickey) Eckert Teacher
Mickey is in her 7th year on our staff with 12 years of prior experience as an Early Childhood teacher. She studied at Mankato State University. Mickey lives in Roseville and enjoys gardening, camping and spending time with her family. She also enjoys walks with her dog, Sully.
Summer Staff
Many of our summer teachers are college students preparing to be teachers or to work in fields with young people. They team teach in an internship program here to learn the unique perspectives of outdoor teaching using nature and animals as the learning environment.