Amanda (aka Ms. Amanda or Ms. Munden) has been in early childhood education for over 10 years and is currently teaching dual-language Kindergarten at Becker Elementary in her hometown of Austin, Texas. She is a mother and the founder of Vecina, a transformative platform dedicated to fostering deeper connections with food, nature, and community.

With a heart rooted in education and a passion for sustainable living, Amanda brings her vision to life through immersive farm-to-table cooking classes and camps. Her work, both in and out of the classroom, is anchored in three core beliefs:

Connection – We are all intricately woven into the fabric of life, each thread influencing and enriching the whole. Amanda believes that every thought, word, and action ripples out, impacting the greater collective, and that our connections to each other and the earth are the foundation of a thriving, harmonious world. “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” the golden rule, is her guiding ethos, hence the name “Vecina.”

Integrity – True integrity means aligning our words with our actions and living authentically, with honesty and consistency. Amanda holds this value close, modeling the importance of integrity for her students, fostering an environment where truth and transparency flourish.

Beauty – Life is filled with moments of profound beauty—from the intoxicating scent of a sun-ripened peach to the sparkling galaxy in a loved one’s eyes, or the emotional power of a song like John Lennon’s Let It Be. Amanda believes that beauty is an essential part of life’s fabric, elevating the ordinary and creating a space for deep, sensory connection with the world around us.

When not in the classroom or kitchen, you can find Amanda spending time with her family, tending to her animals, in the garden, behind the camera, reading, camping, hiking or traveling.