Meet our Preschool Director
Growing up in Miami, Florida, Carlos Duque spent much of his childhood outdoors, catching lizards, climbing trees, exploring neighborhood parks, and developing an early appreciation for the natural world. Those experiences helped shape a lifelong belief that children learn best when they are given the freedom to explore, play, take reasonable risks, and build meaningful connections with nature.
Carlos has worked with young children in a variety of educational settings since moving to Washington, DC, in 2012. His professional journey has included roles as a preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, lower school librarian, camp counselor, aftercare teacher, and school leader. These experiences have reinforced his conviction that childhood should be filled with wonder, discovery, creativity, and opportunities for children to develop strong relationships with both people and place.
As Preschool Director at Nature Forward, Carlos is committed to creating an inclusive, joyful learning community where children are known, valued, and encouraged to follow their curiosity. He believes that nature-based education offers unique opportunities for children to develop confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills, and environmental stewardship while supporting every aspect of their development.
Carlos is passionate about expanding access to outdoor learning experiences and helping children build meaningful relationships with the natural world. He believes that when children spend time exploring forests, streams, gardens, and open spaces, they not only learn about nature, they begin to see themselves as part of it. He is inspired by the ways curiosity, close observation, and creativity help children make meaning of the world around them and develop a lifelong love of learning. Carlos believes that access to nature is an important part of creating healthier, more connected, and more equitable communities.
Outside of the preschool, Carlos enjoys gardening, trail running, biking, reading, and exploring the region’s parks and natural areas. He also loves visiting museums and botanical gardens, where he finds inspiration in the connections between nature, creativity, history, and culture. These experiences continue to shape his appreciation for observation, wonder, and lifelong learning. He currently serves on the board of City Blossoms, whose mission is to cultivate the well-being of communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens.
Carlos is honored to be part of the Nature Forward community and looks forward to helping children and families build lifelong connections to nature.