Welcome to Phoenix House! I'm Ellie Coburn, a born and raised San Diegan with a deep passion for nurturing the early childhood experiences of both my own children and those in our community.

With over a decade of experience as an award-winning children’s photographer, a credentialed substitute teacher, an infant nanny, a foster parent to 16 incredible children, and a postpartum doula — caring for children is one of the great joys of my life. These diverse experiences have provided me with more than 50,000 hours of hands-on experience working with children of all ages.

Academically, I hold Associate of Arts degrees in Psychology, Anthropology, and Political Science from San Diego Mesa College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biocultural Anthropology with a minor in History and a certificate in Medical Humanities from Oregon State University.

I am currently remotely pursuing my Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from American College of Education. Furthermore, I am a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and hold 475+ extension training hours on topics related to early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and early literacy. My diverse academic portfolio has shaped my understanding of the intricate interplay between biological and cultural factors affecting the human experience and ignited a passion in me to protect and advocate for the preservation of early childhood.

Phoenix House is a heart project born at the intersection of my lived, professional, and academic experiences. After years of experiencing firsthand the shortage of quality childcare programs available to families in San Diego and across the country, I felt a deep disheartenment. I have long since imagined a program that strives to nurture the biological rhythms of early childhood for children in their first months and years earthside. A program that integrates best practice across multiple pedagogies with the most current research in early childhood development. It is therefore one of the great honors of my life to set Phoenix House in motion and an enormous privilege to serve as the primary lead teacher for our program’s inaugural year.

I look forward to welcoming you and your child into our loving community. Together, I hope to create magical early childhood experiences that will lay the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and joy.

With Love,