Meet the Teachers
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Meghan Ballard (Owner, Sparrow Lead Teacher)
The founder and owner of Blue Mountain Nature School, Meghan began her career in nature-based education working with middle and high school science classes on stream and wetland restoration projects in the Willamette Valley. Nearly nine years ago, after welcoming their two sons, Meghan's family moved to La Grande where her husband, Tim, grew up. She stayed home with their boys for a few years, and then—like so many families—their world shifted when Covid moved their first grader into virtual learning (which he absolutely hated). In response, a friend who taught art and Meghan created a nature-based, science-and-art-focused homeschool co-op in the woods. It was called Wild School, and they've now been teaching these free (now grant-funded) classes to youth in Union County for almost six years through the Blue Mountains Conservancy nonprofit. Almost two years ago, Meghan opened Blue Mountain Nature School — an outdoor preschool and private LLC — and the adventure continues! Meghan holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and has completed graduate-level coursework in Environmental Education. She is a Certified Level 2 Teacher with the Association of Nature-Based Education and is certified in Cedarsong Way nature immersion pedagogy. With more than twenty years of experience, Meghan has engaged learners from preschool through adulthood in meaningful, nature-based education. She has worked with organizations including SOLVE, Friends of Tryon Creek State Park, and the Wetlands Conservancy. Her teaching approach emphasizes play, art, and hands-on investigation, fostering curiosity and a deep connection to the natural world. Over the past six years, she has led an outdoor “Caregiver and Me” program called Wild Preschool, as well as Wild School, a drop-off nature-based art and science class for elementary-aged youth. She currently serves as Board Chair of the Blue Mountains Conservancy and is a board member of the Outdoor Early Learning Alliance of Oregon. In her free time, Meghan enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, Tim and their two boys and hiking with her dog. |
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Beth Wasley (Sparrow Teaching Assistant) Beth is a La Grande native. She graduated from the University of Oregon, lived and worked in France, Mexico and Washington state, and then settled back home in La Grande where she has raised her own family of two children with her husband Kevin. Deeply connected to the outdoors and her community, she finds joy in hiking, drawing, and creating art—especially alongside children. With a Master’s degree in Teaching in Art and over fifteen years of experience teaching art to children, Beth brings creativity, curiosity, and care to her work every day. Grateful for the opportunity to spend her days making, noticing, singing, and walking outside with these beautiful children, Beth aspires to nurture a lifelong love of art and nature in those around her. |
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Tatiana Derichsweiler (Toadstools Lead Teacher) Tatiana is a master herbalist and owner/founder of WildWomanOnFire apothecary. She is dedicated to the land and raises her young wild child in the beautiful Grande Ronde Valley with the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv in mind. With an educational background in early childhood development, over a decade in pharmacy, and a continued education in natural medicine, she looks forward to guiding young independent thinkers in learning and fostering a deeply rooted love of the natural environment around them. |
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Lexzi Hart (Toadstools and Raven Teaching Assistant)
Lexzi brings warmth, creativity, and genuine care to every child she works with. Before joining BMNS, she spent four years as a local nanny, supporting families and gaining hands-on experience with children of all ages. She is passionate about early childhood development and believes deeply in creating nurturing, curiosity driven environments where kids feel safe to explore, grow, and express themselves. Lexzi loves incorporating music, conversation, and imaginative play into the learning process, and she enjoys finding engaging ways to support each child’s unique strengths. Outside the classroom, Lexzi likes to spend her time singing, sky gazing, snuggling her cat, and having craft nights with her friends. She hopes to continue growing in the field of early childhood education and looks forward to supporting the BMNS community as she develops her teaching practice. |
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Shirine Dugan (Raven Lead Teacher)
Shirine grew up in Eugene and spent much of her twenties living outdoors alternating between living in a tent while cycle touring and working in Wilderness Therapy where she slept under a tarp. She eventually landed in La Grande, where she is raising her two young daughters and building a life rooted in the outdoors and a growing sense of community. Most days you will find her running or biking around town — always with a kid or two in tow. She also loves backpacking, baking, reading, and extended road trips. She is excited to combine her Master’s in Early Elementary Education with her deep love of nature in a dream teaching role that features multi-age learning, free play, and meaningful time outdoors. She is passionate about honoring students’ strengths, nurturing curiosity, cultivating lifelong learners, and giving children consistent opportunities to learn and grow outside. |