In this episode of the DMF Podcast, our host, Whitney Isaacson, sat down with Jana Bruhschwein, Executive Director and founder of Peace Academy, and Kellie Knodel, assistant director and teacher at Peace Academy. Between the two of them they have 45 years of experience in early childhood education. Jana and Kellie are both advanced trainers in the Nurtured Heart Approach® and in this conversation they share all about what the Nurtured Heart Approach is and why it’s important in early childcare. This approach to early childhood education focuses on creating connected relationships, emphasizing positive behavior, and transforming difficult emotions into abundant Inner Wealth.

Jana Bruhschwein is the Executive Director and founder of Peace Academy and is an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach®. Jana has over 30 years of experience in education as a public-school teacher, head start director, and preschool director. Jana saw the great need for quality early childhood care in the Fargo-Moorhead community. She is the visionary behind Peace Academy and believes all children deserve to be seen, heard, and loved.

Kellie Knodel is an assistant director and a teacher at Peace Academy and an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach®. Kellie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Child Development Associate credential. She has 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher. Kellie is passionate about parent education and seeing the transformation in children and families.