Who We Are

Lead Teacher Heather Gray (she/her) has extensive experience working with young children. She began her work as an accredited Montessori 3-6 teacher before attending graduate school and studying Child Development and Early Childhood Education. She researched the Reggio Emilia Approach in Italy and Sweden and worked as a college professor at Mills College in Oakland, California, and was also a mentor teacher at the Mills College lab school. After her own children were born she started a small school called Little Fawn Play School and eventually moved into leadership positions at larger schools. Birchsong is an amalgamation of all of the best parts of Reggio, Waldorf, and Montessori.

This intentionally sweet, small school is inspired by Heather’s own parents and grandparents, and the way they made her feel when she was with or visited them as she was growing up. Her own childhood was filled with books and art and stories, delicious food, the smell of freshly baked bread, creative play, mucking around outdoors, revering nature, and learning from kind people about how to be a compassionate, just, and peaceful human. All children deserve a place like this; this is what Birchsong is all about. When you walk in the door we want you and your children to feel like you’ve walked into the home of a beloved family member. At the same time, we want Birchsong to feel like a child’s place- very much a Children’s House.

Lead Teacher Stephanie Weaver (she/her) has worked with children and families across many spectrums for many years. She originally studied theater and is also a certified yoga instructor. Stephanie began her work as an educator teaching art and yoga to underprivileged girls and babies (and their parents) in Oklahoma. Stephanie attended Montessori when she was a child. Upon moving to Portland in 2009 she enrolled her own three-year-old daughter in a Montessori school. The school director invited her to work at the school, and she eventually attended Montessori Northwest where she obtained her Elementary Montessori Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola University. Over the past twelve years, she has worked with children from infancy through Elementary in Portland and Paris, France. She has also worked as an Interim Head of School and Assistant Head of School.

Stephanie is thrilled to be a founding member of Birchsong Play School. She has a huge appreciation of the holistic approach to education as preparation for life. She believes that everyone has unique gifts to offer the world, and she loves to create safe spaces for children to develop themselves. Stephanie loves to share her passion for dance, yoga, gardening, baking, and creating all kinds of art. She is grateful for her supportive family, including a long line of teachers. An untrained yet natural teacher, Stephanie’s grandmother showed her anthills in the woods and told her how we all depend on the smallest of beings. These first memories remind Stephanie how early learning shapes individuals and communities and inspires her to guide children with peace and respect for nature and each other.

Testimonials: 

“Heather Gray is a goddess! She was my son's preschool teacher several years ago. She is the most compassionate teacher you will ever find. Her quiet way with children is amazing. I feel as though she saw each child in the class as an individual and helped them based on what they needed. She has a contagious laugh that puts anyone at ease the moment you meet her. She is truly a gifted teacher and a lovely all-around person. And she sings and plays guitar, too! Seriously, my son, who is now 22, remembers his time with Heather with great fondness...and so do I. Your children will benefit in myriad ways under Heather's guidance. She is a gem.”

“We were lucky to have had Heather Gray as my daughter's pre-school teacher at Mills Children's School. During the two years our daughter attended Heather's room, she thrived socially and academically. Heather's deep understanding of what it means to teach young and older children makes the experience of being in her room extraordinary. Even though it has been over six years since our daughter was in pre-school, she still remembers the songs, the plays, the class projects and the explorations on nature walks. Along the way, our daughter forged close friendships that have lasted up to today, even as a Senior at Reed College. What is amazing about Heather is her ability to create not only a community of learners within her class but also within the families/ parents of these children. Heather is a lovely, caring and patient teacher- that our daughter thinks- is one of the best teachers she has ever had.”

“My oldest son, who is now 32, had Heather as his Montessori pre-school teacher for 3 years in the early 1990s. I cannot imagine a better beginning to his school years, being taught and nurtured by Heather. Perhaps the fact that my son and our entire family remain in contact with Heather more than 25 years later and long after she moved away from Ohio is in itself enough testimonial to the kind of impact she has on young children and their families!”

“Heather Gray taught both my children at the pre-school at Mills College. She was first, my son's student teacher and later, my daughter's head teacher. She is without a doubt one of the finest teachers around and I would jump at the opportunity to send another child to her new pre-school. She has a vast knowledge of childhood education practices which underlies her incredibly gentle manner with both young people and adults.”

Praise for Little Fawn:

Birchsong is modeled after Little Fawn.

“Both of our children attend Little Fawn right now, and we are really thrilled with the school. Our eldest will turn 5 in April, and will be going into kindergarten next year. Our youngest just turned three and will return to Little Fawn in the fall. Heather, the main teacher, has many years of experience in early childhood education. Heather was trained as a Montessori teacher, and also has a master’s in education. However, she brings together many teaching philosophies at the school, and is not strict in any one method. Sara, the assistant teacher, has also been a preschool teacher for years and teaches dance classes to kids at a studio outside of Little Fawn.

We love the school because we truly feel like our kids are safe and well-loved. Heather has a very calming presence with the kids, and both of my children love school and want to attend even on the weekends! The diverse community at the school is wonderful! There are potlucks once a month where parents are able to meet each other and create relationships. The school has structure, but the children are really allowed to choose the activities that most interest them. There is a lot of outside play (even in the rain), art, cooking, music, and imaginative play. My eldest is learning to read and write, as Heather pulls aside the older kids to work with them on these skills. If you are looking for a nurturing, small, home-based environment where your child will be able to grow at his/her own pace, this is a great place to check out!”

“Our experience with the school has been really wonderful. Both Heather and Sarah are amazing warm-hearted kid-magnets and my son adores them. We chose Little Fawn for a variety of reasons - the program is based on a combination of Montessori, Reggio, and Waldorf philosophies. The day is relatively unstructured: the kids choose their own activities from the (mostly wooden) toys, various art materials, and outside play areas, and the mostly-organic food is available at any time on request, not just at snack and lunch periods. There is a circle time every day and the children do come together as a whole group for that, which usually includes books, singing, and dancing. They explore themes, especially those relating to nature and science, and to the holidays of various cultures. For example, around Christmas the kids read The Velveteen Rabbit, made their own rabbit dolls, and we attended the show at ODC as a field trip.

The vegetarian meals are prepared by the teachers during the day. The kids often help cook, which is one of my son's favorite activities. It is a multi-age classroom. The kids sometimes play in age-related cohorts; for example, the 2-to-3-year-olds may be playing outside while the 4-year-olds are inside learning letters. Each child's academic needs are addressed individually, with activities and tasks being offered appropriate to the direction they are growing. My son especially loves all of his friends there. The community is one of our favorite aspects of the program - we have monthly potlucks and occasional field trips as well as outside-school playdates. The parent-teacher communication is great. Heather, the head teacher, is very open and willing to answer any questions. She is always available via phone, email, and in person. Overall, the feeling of the school is like one big warm family.”