Jena Inghram

Jena grew up in a small town in Iowa, which instilled in her a strong sense of community and values. After moving to Seattle as a young adult, she has spent the past 25 years working in the field of early childhood education, serving in various roles including nanny, toddler and preschool teacher, director, and (for ten of those years) owner of an in-home childcare program.

Jena has a deep passion for the Positive Discipline philosophy and Adlerian psychology. Emphasizing the principles of being kind and firm, she champions open-ended art and play-based learning approaches. She believes that children learn best through everyday organic play experiences; like pretending, building, painting, dancing, singing, cooking, exploring, and discovering. Jena earned her bachelor's degree in Human Services from Western Washington University, which laid the foundation for her career in early childhood education. In her professional journey, Jena has recently taken on the additional role of mentor teacher, where she finds immense joy in guiding and inspiring fellow educators.

Beyond her professional life, Jena is an avid nature enthusiast who loves camping, listening to live music, traveling, reading, writing, and engaging in various forms of art. She balances her career with her rich family life as a wife and mother of three daughters. Additionally, Jena has opened her heart and home as a foster parent and adoptive parent, further demonstrating her commitment to nurturing and supporting children.