People

Deborah Niederman is a values-driven Jewish educational leader with more than 30 years of experience creating multigenerational and experiential learning communities. As Director of Education at Temple Shalom of Dallas, she partners with lay leaders to cultivate visionary initiatives that bring Jewish learning to life. She helped launch the Temple Shalom Justice Garden, a vibrant space that unites wellness, ecology, education, and food justice, and is now leading the effort to open a nature-based Early Childhood Center, set to welcome its first learners in 2026. Guided by the values of joy, wonder, friendship, and holy community, Deborah designs hands-on curricula and community experiences that connect people of all ages to Torah, the natural world, and one another.

I am a mom of an energentic 6 year old, a lover of the outdoors, and a interpreter by passion. I have worked for Arizona State Parks and Trails for over 11 years and am currently the manager of Oracle State Park which is a center for environmental education. 

Sheila Williams Ridge is the Director of the University of Minnesota Child Development Laboratory School. Sheila has worked in the field of environmental education since the early 90s and is the mother of four adult children. She has an EdD in Education Leadership, an MA in Education, and a BA in Biology. Sheila teaches courses at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University including Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood, A Sense of Wonder, Equity and Inclusion in Environmental Education, and Student Teaching Seminar in Early Childhood. She is also co-author of the book, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget, and several other publications on nature-based learning. She is passionate about encouraging nature-based play and the lasting developmental benefits of a relationship between children and nature.