Our Team
Tricia Windschitl --Director, Operations
Tricia earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Iowa State University and is the Preschool Director of Preucil Preschool. Inspired by her preschoolers, she founded The LENA Project to amplify the voices of children who are concerned about living in an unsustainable world. She is passionate about environmental education and creating a better future for all. During her time at LENA, she has worked on creative and engaging programming, directed the LENA Earth Warriors and LENA Summer Camps, managed the Lena Earth Singers> She continues to collaborate on Prompt for the Planet and Promise to the Planet, and maintains the business end of things here at LENA.
Taylor Brooks—Director, Programming
Taylor received her Bachelor of Social Work from The University of Iowa (Go Hawks!) and Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She is an Iowa Master Naturalist and Preucil Preschool teacher. She draws on her knowledge of nature and early childhood education to create enriching, engaging, and thoughtful experiences for the LENA Earth Warriors. Taylor believes early childhood environmental literacy lays the foundation for a sustainable future. She strives to promote critical thinking, empathy, and self-confidence within each LENA program. Her ultimate goal is for each Earth Warrior to feel empowered and excited for the future!
Emily Pritchard, Earth Singers Choir Director
Emily earned her Master of Music Education degree with a concentration in choral music from VanderCook College of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music degree with a concentration in songwriting/vocal performance and a Minor in Theatre from Millikin University. She taught choir, directed musicals and madrigal dinners, and sponsored the GSA at Limestone High School in Illinois for five years. Before moving to Illinois, she worked in Nashville as a songwriter and was fortunate to study with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Craig Cornelia, and Lari White a part of the Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project. She loves living in Iowa City and making music with whoever will have her!
Sarah Neary, Collaborator
Sarah has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa and works at Oaknoll Retirement Community. Originally from Omaha Nebraska, Sarah moved to Iowa City in 1993 to study art. She planned on staying for two years but the opportunities that unfolded kept her here, planting her roots ever deeper in Iowa soil. She lived, loved and toiled at Friendly Farm, a local organic farm. Through it all, she has brought her love of nature and commitment to honoring the natural cycles of the earth. Sarah weaves her love of earth and art as a crucial member of the Prompt For the Planet team. In addition, she helps dream up new programming for our Lena community.