Nuestros profesores

Huntington Pratt

Co-Lead Teacher

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Huma Ahmar

Co-Lead Teacher

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Maggie Diehl

Co-Lead Teacher

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Abby Troughton

Co-Lead Teacher

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Maris Fish

Co-Lead Teacher

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Emily Barbosa

Lead Float Teacher

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Rachel Woods

Co-Lead Teacher

Christopher Bolen

Co-Lead Teacher

Christopher began working with children and families during his pursuit of his Bachelor’s degree in Youth Development from Indiana University. Between volunteering with non-profit organizations and work after obtaining his degree, he has accumulated five years’ experience working with children and families. Christopher comes to us from work in community mental health focusing on children who have experienced trauma. Christopher is determined to make every family and child in his care feel welcomed and supported. On his time off Christopher enjoys taking a moment to disconnect and enjoy nature.

Lilly Lee

Assistant Teacher

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Brianna Rhodes

Assistant Teacher

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Amy Juarez

Assistant Teacher

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Grace Trisler

Assistant Teacher

Holly Waldkoetter

Nutritional Coordinator

Holly Waldkoetter holds a B.A. in Counseling Poverty with Food Justice as well as a B.A. in English from Indiana University. Cooking and gardening are two of her passions, and has been doing both since an early age. Holly began as a volunteer at The Nest in 2015 and assumed the role of Nutritional Coordinator at the end of 2018. Since then, she has introduced a Plot-to-Tot program. This focuses on growing foods for the Nest at a community garden plot and cooking with the PreK classroom. She aims to advocate for a space (and policies) which recognize the right of all peoples to equal consideration, dignity, happiness, a home, and plentiful foods.

Amie Messer

Assistant Director

Amie Messer holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University. She has been caring for and teaching infants and young children for over 20 years. Amie has been with The Nest at New Hope since 2016, helping to create and establish the Infant/Toddler program. She enjoys supporting families, concert going, and exploring Bloomington with her two children.

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Ben Planton

Director

Filosofía

The Nest at New Hope is dedicated to whole-child development and individualized care, highlighting that children are naturally capable and deserving of safety, visibility, and respect. The center’s emergent, play-based curriculum is tailored to each child’s developmental journey and interests, promoting exploration, creativity, and curiosity with language-rich interactions and responsive caregiving. The curriculum integrates Indiana academic standards through hands-on gardening and cooking experiences within a Plot-to-Tot framework. Children are provided ample time for self-directed play both indoors and outdoors, encouraging sensory exploration, process-based art, and interactions with the natural world to nurture their inquisitiveness and learning.

Ubicación

We are conveniently located along the B-line Trail, near Switchyard Park.

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Accreditation matters

The Nest participates in Indiana’s Paths to Quality program, and is pursuing national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

We know that kindergarten readiness is more than just pre-literacy skills. New Hope’s focus on whole-child care means we are invested in social and emotional development as much as physical and academic development.

For more information about The Nest at New Hope, and to access our waitlist please visit newhope4families.org