Meet Our Team

Suzanne Moss

Curriculum Director & Lead Teacher

Suzanne Moss is the Lead Teacher and Curriculum Director of The Nature Bus School, bringing decades of classroom teaching experience and deep expertise in child development, outdoor education, and academic instruction. Suzanne designs and oversees all curriculum, academic instruction, and learning progression at The Nature Bus School.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and is a:

• Licensed Virginia Elementary Teacher (PreK–6) with Gifted Endorsement
• Virginia Certified Environmental Educator (accredited by the Virginia Association for Environmental Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education)
• Certified Master Naturalist
• Tinkergarten Teacher
• Certified Yoga Instructor
• Water Safety Instructor (15 years of experience; not current)
• CPR & First Aid Certified (Adults & Pediatrics)
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder

Suzanne has spent decades designing and leading nature programs for children. The Nature Bus was founded by Suzanne, following the success of a 12-year children’s nature club, and has since grown into a thoughtfully designed educational program grounded in outdoor learning and emotional wellbeing.

Outdoor education is Suzanne’s life’s work. She brings a steady, calm presence to each day and is deeply committed to helping children grow into confident, curious learners with a strong connection to the natural world.

Alaurah Jordan

School Administrator & Assistant Teacher

Alaurah Jordan is the School Administrator and Assistant Teacher of The Nature Bus School, workin alongside Lead Teacher Suzanne Moss to support students, implement curriculum, and ensure a safe, enriching learning environment.

She holds:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland
• A Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University
• CPR & First Aid Certified (Adults & Pediatrics)

Alaurah has more than eight years of experience working in environmental science and project management, implementing nature-based solutions and supporting community resilience initiatives. She also serves as Secretary of Nature Matters, a nonprofit organization that supports environmental education and environmental stewardship.

As a mother of two young children who will attend the program, Alaurah understands the hopes and questions families bring when choosing a school. She is passionate about creating learning environments that support children’s whole development – academic, emotional, and environmental.

How We Work as a Team

The Nature Bus School is intentionally led by a veteran, licensed classroom teacher and supported by a dedicated assistant teacher to ensure both strong and academic leadership and individualized care.

We intentionally keep our program small so children are deeply known and supported. When enrollment exceeds eight children, an additional team member will be added to maintain low rations, close supervision, and a calm and responsive environment.

The Nature Bus School transforms the entire community into our classroom! 

We continuously add community partnerships to enrich our students’ educational experiences.

We intentionally cultivate partnerships with places & people:  professionals—farmers, naturalists, scientists, artists, public service and healthcare professionals, and small business owners—who love sharing their work and expertise with children. Through these collaborations, we can:

• Root learning in real relationships and real places
• Access both indoor and outdoor spaces when needed
• Collaborate on seasonal, hands-on projects
• Balance consistency and familiarity with exploration

These partnerships enrich our curriculum, spark curiosity, and help children understand how their community works and how they can one day contribute to it.

Each day, children travel 15–30 minutes to a variety of nearby parks, farms, forests, libraries, and shared public spaces, where learning becomes hands-on, social, and real. Many of these locations are visited regularly, allowing children to build familiarity, form relationships, and engage in deeper place-based learning over time. During inclement weather, we have arranged partnerships with a variety of indoor venues. 

Once a week, our full-day Wandering Wednesdays take children on extended adventures, including behind-the-scenes tours, expert-led demonstrations, and immersive experiences not found in traditional school settings. These special excursions may take us up to one hour away.

What We Mean by Place-Based Education

Place-based education is an approach to learning that uses the local environment and community as the foundation for meaningful, real-world educational experiences.

Rather than learning only about the world from books, children learn in relationship with the places they spend time—returning to the same trails, farms, gardens, and community spaces across seasons and years. This helps children build:

• Deep curiosity, a sense of wonder, and a love of learning
• A deeper understanding through lived experience
• A strong sense of place and belonging
• An understanding of how the community works and how they can one day contribute to it
• Care and stewardship for their environment

At The Nature Bus School, place-based education means learning with the land, within the community, and in connection with the people and places around us.

Meet Our Community Partners

Blossom Ridge Farm

At The Nature Bus School, we believe some of the most meaningful learning happens through deep connection to place. We are grateful to partner with Blossom Ridge Farm, a family-owned farm and event venue spanning over 80 acres of breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views, located just minutes from our daily parent drop-off and pick-up location. We return many times throughout the year. 

Paul and Kari, the owners of Blossom Ridge, share our belief in the power of nature-based education. As Paul says, “I believe farm schools are exactly what children need most.” 

Their partnership supports our school in meaningful and practical ways. Through this collaboration, our students have access to both indoor and outdoor learning spaces on the property. During inclement weather, our children may use Blossom Ridge’s brand-new, enchanting wedding venue barn. On fair-weather days, teachers and students can explore their land through guided hikes, nature study, and hands-on, place-based experiences at Blossom Ridge.

Grange Commons Farmers Market 

We are grateful for our partnership with Grange Commons Farmers Market, which serves as our daily parent drop-off and pick-up location. Conveniently located just off Route 29 North (Seminole Trail) at the intersection with Route 609 (Fredericksburg Road) in Ruckersville, Grange Commons offers easy access and a smooth start and end to each school day.

This brand-new, beautifully designed barn features a large, protected parking area and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where parents will be greeted by wonderful sunrises during morning drop-off. Our partnership provides a safe, consistent place to load children and gear onto the Nature Bus each morning.

As Grange Commons continues to open fully to the public, the market will feature locally grown food and community vendors, further strengthening children’s connection to local agriculture and small businesses. We are thankful to be rooted in a space that so clearly reflects our values of community, beauty, and place-based learning.

Seven Oaks Retreat Center

We are grateful to partner with Seven Oaks Retreat Center, whose mission and setting beautifully align with our values of mindfulness, community well-being, and harmony with nature. We will return to Seven Oaks many times throughout the year, using both their indoor and outdoor spaces to support meaningful, place-based learning.

Through this partnership, our students have access to the rotunda meditation room, outdoor learning areas, and a serene yoga and meditation deck. These spaces allow children to practice mindfulness, movement, and reflection—supporting emotional regulation, well-being, and focused learning from an early age.

Set on 120 acres of woods and open fields, with 2+ miles of walking trails and frontage along the Rapidan River, Seven Oaks provides a peaceful, inspiring environment for exploration and connection. We are deeply appreciative of this partnership and the opportunity it gives our students to learn within a landscape that honors care for both people and the natural world.

Lydia Mountain Lodge

We are grateful to partner with Lydia Mountain Lodge, a beautifully crafted mountain retreat nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This partnership provides our students with access to a welcoming indoor and outdoor environment that supports learning in all seasons.

Lydia Mountain Lodge has generously invited The Nature Bus School to use their five-bedroom cabin and exceptional covered gathering area as a learning space. On rainy or cold days, this sheltered area allows learning to continue comfortably while still staying connected to the surrounding forest.

Our students also have year-round access to Lydia Mountain Lodge’s private hiking trails. Returning to the same trails across seasons allows children to observe seasonal changes, engage in nature study, build confidence, and develop a deeper relationship with the land.
This partnership helps us balance outdoor immersion with practical shelter when needed, and we are thankful to Lydia Mountain Lodge for supporting place-based education and opening their land to our school community.