Basket Weaving for Beginners (Ages 8-12)

I grew up homeschooling in the woods of Maine and along the coastal shores of a small island town in New Jersey. 

My summers were spent at Girl Scout camp and traveling across the country on scouting adventures primarily focused on the outdoors and history - like a wagon train traversing the North Dakota prairie and hiking & camping along fur trade routes in Wisconsin. As a GS Gold Award recipient, my final project was implementing an outdoor day camp program for Special Olympians - because I have always believed that outdoor learning and fun should be accessible to everyone. 

After completing high school, I studied Theology for four years at a small private college and spent time living in Far East Russia - where I ran camp programs for children in rural villages, youth centers, orphanages, and inner-city parks. 

I have nearly 20 years of experience working in living history museums, where I've demonstrated and taught period crafts and domestic arts, run educational programs and special events, researched and created staff costuming, and was the camp director for one of the few railroad themed summer camps in the USA. 

I homeschooled my children from kindergarten through graduation. I've also owned a Montessori school, helped facilitate two Sudbury-inspired learning cooperatives, and founded two inclusive homeschool support groups that offered guidance for parents and a full range of weekly classes for students of all ages. 

I received my master-level Forest Kindergarten training from Wauhatchie School / Forest School Teacher Institute - and I am happily at home outside, sharing my love of nature with kids - no matter the weather!

I continued my education after my kids were grown, attending Goddard College until they closed in 2024, then transferring to Prescott College for my final semester, where I completed a BFA in Arts & Letters with a concentration in Socially Engaged Art.

In my "spare time,” I'm a writer, musician, and all-around creative and hobbity sort of person.  

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I have many years of experience working to create spaces that are safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse young people. 

I enjoy helping all my students learn, share their interests, and practice group social skills. It's always my endeavor to foster a classroom space where everyone can share, be heard, and participate in the most comfortable and enjoyable way for them. I believe in facilitating spaces of kindness, patience, and gentle correction when needed. 

Please message me if you have concerns about how your child might best be included in and enjoy my classes!