Cohort 8
Jessica Fong
EDUCATION • M.A. in Dual Language and Teacher Leadership Roosevelt University • M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education DePaul University • B.S. in Human Development and Psychological Services Northwestern University ENROLLED • Cohort 8 LOCATION • Chicago, Ill.
Jessica Fong, a Latina who grew up in Chicago’s Humboldt Park and now resides in McKinley Park on the southwest side, is deeply involved in the city’s environmental education community. As the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and a mother raising an environmentally conscious child, she draws on both her professional expertise and personal experiences to champion nature-based education. Jessica began her teaching career in Guatemala in 2007, where she taught a multi-age classroom of 1st-3rd graders, reconnecting with her native land and emphasizing progressive educational approaches. Upon returning to Chicago, she pursued master’s degrees in early childhood education from DePaul University and in Dual Language and Teacher Leadership from Roosevelt University, bolstered by an Instructional Leadership endorsement in 2020. In 2017-2018, Jessica participated in the Action Research Leadership Institute Fellowship (ARLI), investigating the impact of nature play on preschoolers’ language development. This research fueled her commitment to integrating nature-based education into urban, public-school settings, leading to presentations across the Chicagoland area and nationally. Currently, Jessica serves as the director of education at Openlands, a nature and conservation organization focused on promoting nature and conservation in the Chicago Wilderness Region. She collaborates with stakeholders to develop programs that advance nature-based learning for students and educators. Jessica also leads the stewardship group for the McKinley Community Play Garden, driving community-based programming and fundraising efforts. Passionate about ensuring equitable access to nature for BIPOC children and families, Jessica strives to center their experiences in nature-based education initiatives.
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Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability
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