John Vincent serves as Chief of Early Childhood Education for the ODC Network, overseeing five nature-based early childhood sites and leading strategic initiatives to advance outdoor education across Michigan. A lifelong advocate for children, John found his calling in early education. He believes deeply in getting kids outdoors, nurturing their curiosity about the natural world, and helping them build the foundational skills that will set them up for success throughout their educational journey. 

John’s impact on outdoor education in West Michigan has been transformative. He spearheaded the expansion of the ODC Early Childhood Network, including building a nature-based early childhood campus within a former strip mall—transforming over 20 acres of neglected woods into a thriving educational space with trails and conservation areas that embody ODC’s mission. He led the development of Gentex Discovery Preschool, a first-of-its-kind on-site partnership providing top-tier, nature-based care and education for Gentex Corporation employees, serving children from birth through kindergarten entry and offering second-shift care to meet the needs of working families. 

Currently, John is leading statewide efforts to align nature-based education with Michigan’s Universal PreK expansion, building sustainable business models for childcare through corporate and community partnerships, and supporting early childhood leaders in advancing their own nature-based programs. In an effort to deepen the impact of nature-based programs across Michigan, John helped lead the development of the Integrating Nature-Based Instruction in GSRP Guidebook and was selected, alongside two others, to help create the state’s Technical Assistance Document on nature-based licensing.

With a background in special education, he is deeply committed to advancing inclusive practices in early learning environments—serving on the ISD’s Preschool Inclusion Committee and contributing to a doctoral study examining early childhood leaders’ values around inclusion. He was selected as one of two Michigan representatives for the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), a committee focused on integrating nature-based education into state-funded PreK programs. 

John graduated from Grand Valley State University and taught special education at the K-12 level. Before coming to ODC, he worked for a Head Start grantee, where he advanced to Deputy Director of Early Childhood Services in Northeastern Michigan, overseeing 120 preschool classrooms in 21 counties. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in their new community in West Michigan and at their family cottage in Manistee.