About Our Director and K-2 Teacher
Committed to Education
Jennifer Fetter-Matthys is the driving force behind The Ecologist School – Houston. A life-long nature lover, Jennifer’s hobbies and interests include birding, hiking, and nature photography. Jennifer recently obtained her Master's of Science, in Early Childhood Education and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has multiple years experience teaching K-3, and experiences working with exceptionalities. Jennifer is very passionate about getting children and families out in nature and connecting them to something they love outside. Jennifer is certified to teach EC- Grade 6 and Special Education.
3-5 Year Old Teacher
Mrs. Jay has worked with kids since 2003 and has experience teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and tutoring. Jay has been homeschooling for 4 years and has a 9 year-old with special needs. She has coached soccer, loves building things, and loves hands on learning. She is our resident robotics expert! Jay volunteers at Exploration Green. She loves working with kids and is passionate about helping them foster a love for nature through exploring the world around them. She is loving leading our 3-5 year olds through an amazing year of play and exploration!
3rd-6th Grade
Hi, I’m Jesse! I’m a proud mom of two amazing girls, and together we embrace life with creativity, laughter, and lots of love. Our family celebrates neurodiversity—my oldest is autistic, and my youngest and I both have ADHD—which makes our world uniquely vibrant. I love arts and crafts, nature walks, getting lost in a good book (especially Harry Potter or Twilight), and soaking up all the little moments that make family life magical.
I was truly inspired by the school after witnessing my daughter, Lilah, thrive at camp with Jennifer last summer. It was a revelation to discover such a warm, accepting, and nurturing environment
where she could flourish beyond our family’s circle. During a memorable parent’s night out, Jennifer also graciously welcomed my other daughter, Kindlyn, highlighting the school’s commitment to inclusivity. The combination of this welcoming atmosphere and the innovative, hands-on STEM learning approach has deeply resonated with me and reinforced my belief in the value of this educational community.
My teaching philosophy centers on the belief that if a child is not grasping the concepts through my
chosen methods, it is my responsibility to adapt my approach to match their unique learning style. I recognize that each learner is different, and as such, my teaching style is flexible and evolves to meet their needs. Predominantly, I embrace a hybrid approach, with a strong emphasis on the demonstrator method, allowing me to visually illustrate concepts and engage my students in a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
I am particularly drawn to this role because it offers a unique opportunity to actively contribute to the growth and development of young, impressionable minds. Playing a supportive role in their educational journey allows me to foster critical thinking, creativity, and resilience. I am eager to engage with students, guiding them as they explore new ideas and discover their passions, ultimately helping to shape their futures in meaningful ways. This position aligns perfectly with my passion for nurturing potential and creating an enriching environment that empowers the next generation. Looking forward to an amazing year!
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Support Teacher
Ms. Becca first got to know Ecologist School Houston through participating in the weekly Eco Explorers class with her son. Watching him fall in love with hands-on science and outdoor play inspired her to join the team! She has worked as a sub, teacher assistant, and has volunteered in various settings with children PK-12. Interests she enjoys sharing with students include the arts and anything biology, but especially bugs. Her values in education center around the belief that all kids are good kids, and that all behavior is communication.
Support Teacher and Yoga Instructor
Ms. Serena is a proud mom of two brilliant boys and part of a beautifully neurodiverse family that inspires her perspective on learning and life every day. As a Registered Yoga Teacher, her heart is dedicated to healing and transformation. She's enthusiastic about sharing the amazing benefits of yoga and mindfulness with ESH. Her goal is to help students connect with their mind, body, and soul. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time in her garden, reading, practicing yoga, and caring for her backyard chickens. These hobbies keep her grounded and energized- just like teaching! She is deeply grateful to be a part of this magnificent school and community.
Support Teacher
Ms. Jessica really loves working at Ecologist School Houston! It's a kind and welcoming environment to work in and she loves being around the kids as they learn and grow. ESH provides them with a nurturing place to learn and experiment, and it's so fun to watch all the unique personalities flourish. She's a part-time stay at home Mom to two amazing kids, Bea and Miles. She worked as a pediatric SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) before being a full time Momma. She grew up in Florida and the beach or being by water is her happy place. She loves reading, animals, and anything Disney related! She has her own zoo at home with 4 cats and her dog/mini horse Lyla.
Support Teacher
Mrs. Terina considers herself a Jack-of-all trades. Her experience spans childcare roles in both preschools and as a latchkey program teacher in an elementary school. She has worked in administration and customer service, and will be hard at work behind the scenes when not working with children. She pours her creative juices into content creation for small businesses. During the pandemic, she homeschooled her 3rd grade daughter and kindergarten son. After schools reopened, her daughter happily went back... entering the school as if she OWNED it. Her little guy hit a few bumps as he was entering the public school environment for the first time. He often found himself lost in thought and missed social cues, which sparked my curiosity about alternative education. After her son's inattentive ADHD diagnosis, she was recommended to contact ESH. After meeting Jennifer, she knew the school would be a perfect fit- a hands-on, non-traditional school that keeps him engaged. While he's still catching up he's now thriving in a nurturing place. The moment she set foot in Ecologist School Houston, she felt an irresistible pull to join the team. It's a joy to connect with the children and their parents, and I can't wait gree your little adventurers at "the door"!
Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Damaris holds a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Engineering from Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas. She loves nature, and she also loves translation! Her earliest work experience included industrial operations on both sides of the MX-US border, where she first began translating documents, training materials, and technical content. Later in life, when she and her family moved to Houston, she stepped into the world of literacy translation. She has since translated the work of Mexican-American authors, making her a published translator in both countries. Today, she interprets and translates English into Spanish, and proofreads and edits texts in Spanish. Damaris and her husband homeschool their son and raise him in a bilingual environment. They have always ensured that both languages are equally practiced and valued at home. It is their experience that through play and natural daily-life interactions, a child can become fluent in two (or more!) languages in an organic way. At Ecologist School Houston, Damaris enjoys sharing her love of Spanish and appreciation for Latin culture with the kids.
