Get to Know US
Morris Street Learning Garden is made up of a diverse community of teachers and learners.
Founder & Steward | Caitlyn (they/she)
A near lifelong resident and devoted member of the Russell community, Caitlyn has worked in experiential education for over 15 years and is passionate about providing meaningful learning experiences for children and adolescents growing up here in Northeast Portland.
As the steward of this learning community, Caitlyn is committed to adapting the environment as well as her instructional praxis to meet the dynamic needs of each unique student. Caitlyn’s lived experience as a Queer, nonbinary, AuDHD-er with chronic illnesses informs every element of the programing at Morris Street Learning Garden.
Caitlyn has endeavored to create an environment where Autism, ADHD, and other marginalized neurotypes are centered and celebrated rather than ignored, punished, or merely tolerated. Together, Caitlyn, the Creature Teachers, and the Learners create an environment and community where learning happens organically and our innate interdependence feels undeniable.
While the nature of this program allows Caitlyn to immerse herself in her passions (tending the land, connecting with community members, and caring for more-than-human life), when they’re not “working,” they enjoy fawning over local produce at the Rocky Butte Farmers Market, attending live music events, eating pastries, and looking under rocks for neat bugs.
The creatures who live here are more than companions—they’re teachers! Caring for more-than-human life not only helps build a felt sense of care and reciprocity with the world around us, animals teach us lessons about ourselves and community. Morris Street Learning Garden is home to goats, chickens, cats, a rabbit, and a tarantula in addition to the animals who visit on their own terms.
Kids are invited but never obligated to interact with the creatures who call this place home. Favorite creature-centric activities include preparing salads for the rabbit and goats, collecting eggs from the chicken coop, crafting cat toys from repurposed materials, digging up farmed worms to feed the tarantula, and otherwise enjoying the presence of these fascinating creatures.
Creature Teachers
Meet some of the Creature Teachers and review their areas of expertise!
Professor Matilda Yarnball | Boundaries
Teacher Simon | Flexibility
Teacher Salt | Perseverance
Teacher Pepper | Observation
Teacher Scott Hoplin | Mindfulness
Teacher Paprika | Insurgency
You won’t see their faces online, but you will see them out in our community! Learners are the most important part of Morris Street Learning Garden. Kids ages 5-12 and their families are the reason that this Place exists.
Every child is an integral part of this community: it simply does not exist without their presence, wisdom, curiosity and care. Morris Street Learning Garden welcomes school-age students enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade. After-school programing is restricted to students of Russell Elementary and school-closure camps are available to neighbors from across the city.