John Muir, Mountaineer

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

​

​

Achievements/Interests:

• Proud mom to 2 boys, one born in 2015 and one born in 2017

• Super Steward and Trail Maintainer, NYC Parks

• Outdoor Teacher Retreat Participant, Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools

• Health & Safety Training, NYS Office of Children and Family Services

• Outdoor adventure seeker and traveler

• Health and fitness enthusiast: Personal Trainer, Crunch Fitness; Group Fitness Instructor, Aerobics Fitness and Association of America

• Project Management Professional

• MBA

JESSICA HALSRUD

Founder and Director

As a girl growing up in suburban Taiwan, I loved to explore outdoors, often playing in the nearby trails and creeks.  I wandered those woods even in my dreams.  Later, some of those fields became construction sites where my sister and I would play for hours in the mud.  Looking back, this all seems like another world. 

Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience nature has changed radically.  For the new generation, nature is more abstraction than reality, something to watch, to consume, to wear—to ignore and fear.  So often, I've observed kids looking at screens, oblivious to the landscape around them.  I've also heard the parks nearby viewed as dirty, dangerous and something to avoid.

Now that I have children of my own, I am even more aware of the increasing divide between the young and the natural world, and the environmental, social, psychological and spiritual implications of that change.  The accumulating research confirms the necessity of contact with nature for healthy child and adult development.  Our community, so close to Forest Park yet, lacks a nature early education option.  It is my hope that with our forest school, we’d be able to get our children in contact with nature and back on the trails. 

​

Our mothers were right when they told us, day after day, ‘Go out and play.’

​

KATIE GEORGE

Lead Teacher 

Achievements/Interests:

• Proud mom to 2 boys, one born in 2015 and one born in 2018

• Chair, Sierra Club NYC Inspiring Connections Outdoors

• Super Steward and Trail Maintainer, NYC Parks

• Wilderness First Aid Certified

• Outdoor Leadership Training leader Instructor since 2012

• Child Abuse Recognition & Prevention certified

• Participant of Free Forest School and Hike It Baby Queens

• Hiking & Fitness enthusiast

• Admin, Strong & Healthy moms facebook group

• Committee, Adventure Film Festival NYC

​

As the daughter of a Navy serviceman, I grew up exploring the world and the seeds of my wanderlust were planted early.  It became evident at an early age that empathy and kindness could be found whenever someone takes an opportunity to challenge themselves and break a little out of the routine.

In my adulthood, this wanderlust led to international backpacking and ultimately to Peru, and in preparation for the 4-day hike on the Inca Trail, I fell in love with hiking and the woods.  Living in New York city, I was delighted to find that nearly 100 trails could be found within an hour or two of the city, and I set out to explore as many of them as I could find.

In 2012, I became Chair of the NYC group of Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors whose focus is to introduce urban youth to the great outdoors by bringing them out hiking, rafting, camping, ice skating, apple picking, kayaking, and more.  In our 100% volunteer-run setting, we are able to provide opportunities and access to these youth (grade school through high school) that they would not have had otherwise.  I have been able to see first hand the positive impact nature has had on these youth, breaking them out of their comfort zone, disconnecting from technology, overcoming new challenges, discovering new things, and forming new relationships.  

As a mom to toddlers, I have been delighted to watch them interact with nature, whether through discovering a new plant or hiking through the woods with friends.  The 3 ½ year old especially has developed confidence, strength and stability through interacting with the forest, and it is something I look forward to imparting to the students at Kew Kids.

MADISON KELTS

I grew up in the suburbs outside of Boston, MA, and spent my summers hiking, camping, swimming, and playing outside. During a gap year after high school, I followed an interest in sustainable food systems, and worked on small organic farms in Ireland and Belgium, where my love for working in the dirt with wondrous plants and creatures took root.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked at PS 20, The Anna Silver School in Lower East Side through NYU’s America Reads/Counts work-study program. There, I worked as an assistant for two years in a dual-language Mandarin-English kindergarten classroom, and then as an assistant in the K-5 art classroom in my third year. The beautiful community and work at PS 20 inspired me to become a teacher.

I think children are brilliant, and so much fun to work and learn with, especially in environments that inspire them and engage their senses. I've worked for the past two summers at The Hive, an arts summer camp based out of a 30-acre sculpture park in Lincoln, MA, where I had the chance to think with kids about our relationships with the natural world, about what elements of plant and animal life can creatively inspire us, and how to care for each other and our shared environment.

I studied Art Education, History, and Critical Theory at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, and explored my interests through work in creative writing, photography, and sculpture. I believe in learning grounded in community, open-ended exploration, imagination, and creativity. After some of my favorite thinkers, Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and John Dewey, I also believe in non-traditional educational methods as means to bring about political and social change. 

​

Achievements/Interests:

• Loving older sibling of 8 year old triplets

• Disability pedagogy and emergent curriculum design

• Drawing, painting, creative writing, fiber arts, and film

• Working with flowers, vegetables, and plants of all kinds

• Assistant director for the Hive summer camp, based at the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA

• ‘Family + Neighborhood History Zine-making for kids’ lesson design

• Co-created a performance based on the South Asian epic ‘The Ramayana’ with AP English students at Brooklyn Preparatory High School

• Student teacher in advanced creative writing class at the University Settlement Society

Lead Teacher

Achievements/Interests:

• Proud mom to 2 boys, one born in 2015 and one born in 2018

• Chair, Sierra Club NYC Inspiring Connections Outdoors

• Super Steward and Trail Maintainer, NYC Parks

• Wilderness First Aid Certified

• Outdoor Leadership Training leader Instructor since 2012

• Child Abuse Recognition & Prevention certified

• Participant of Free Forest School and Hike It Baby Queens

• Hiking & Fitness enthusiast

• Admin, Strong & Healthy moms facebook group

• Committee, Adventure Film Festival NYC

As the daughter of a Navy serviceman, I grew up exploring the world and the seeds of my wanderlust were planted early.  It became evident at an early age that empathy and kindness could be found whenever someone takes an opportunity to challenge themselves and break a little out of the routine.

In my adulthood, this wanderlust led to international backpacking and ultimately to Peru, and in preparation for the 4-day hike on the Inca Trail, I fell in love with hiking and the woods.  Living in New York city, I was delighted to find that nearly 100 trails could be found within an hour or two of the city, and I set out to explore as many of them as I could find.

In 2012, I became Chair of the NYC group of Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors whose focus is to introduce urban youth to the great outdoors by bringing them out hiking, rafting, camping, ice skating, apple picking, kayaking, and more.  In our 100% volunteer-run setting, we are able to provide opportunities and access to these youth (grade school through high school) that they would not have had otherwise.  I have been able to see first hand the positive impact nature has had on these youth, breaking them out of their comfort zone, disconnecting from technology, overcoming new challenges, discovering new things, and forming new relationships.  

As a mom to toddlers, I have been delighted to watch them interact with nature, whether through discovering a new plant or hiking through the woods with friends.  My older child has developed confidence, strength and stability through interacting with the forest, and it is something I look forward to imparting to the students at Kew Kids.

Lead Teacher

KATIE GEORGE

Achievements/Interests:

• Experienced early childhood educator and Mental Health First Aid Certified

• Culinary Arts Certified

• Montessori Experienced

• Member of Psi Chi International Honor Society

• Fluency in Spanish and Italian and partially knowledgeable on French, Hebrew, Portuguese and Russian

• Krav Maga Student

• Hiking & Travel Enthusiast

• Lifelong artist & advocate for children, wildlife, the environment and mental health

STEPHANIE ORITZ

Teacher

My name is Ms. Stephanie and I am a passionate educator with a culmination of 10 years  working with children from all corners of the world.  My experience has ranged from teaching, to coaching, to mentoring and advocating for children and families in the field of mental health. 

​

I am a native New Yorker, with a BA in Psychology & Studio Art from Queens College.  However, I was raised in North Jersey where there are rich and glorious landscapes, mountains, lakes and trails.  The outdoors has always been a special place for me and where I truly feel connected to life. As a child I remember seeing the world as a big playground waiting to be explored.

My curiosity though was essentially fueled by my exposure to learning multiple languages all before the age of 10. Eventually my passion for languages led to a fascination  of understanding different cultures; to then an appreciation for traveling and caring for our environment.  Prior to Covid I was set to embark to Australia to help with its wildlife conservation and relief due to its devastating wildfires of 2020.

​

Nevertheless, my overall mission is to make the world a better place by educating, empowering and advocating for the well being of children, animals and our environment.  My goal is to inspire the next generation to an adventure of lifelong learning beyond the classroom walls.  I believe children are our future and to be a part of Kew Kids Forest School is a special opportunity where I am excited to see the children learn, grow and thrive in a truly very organic setting

Achievements/Interests:

• Proud mom to a curious girl born in 2014

• Studied art at the Art Students League of New York and New York Studio School of drawing painting and sculpture

• Experienced childcare provider

JEANNETTE CARACHI

Art Teacher

I was born in Santiago, Chile during Pinochet dictatorship and later moved with my family to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Not too long after, we immigrated to Israel now home to my parents.  My personal journey continued to the United States to fulfill a dream as an Artist.

​

In Santiago, I was raised in a farm and as a child that was my greatest memories.  My art reveals those childhood memories and a great reflection with delicate lines creating vibrant patterns woven into vivid images of flowers, leaves, and seeds.  My art often celebrates the tangible with a glimmer of otherworldly in nature.  I look forward to sharing and inspiring creative expression through art with young children in and out of the forest.  My growing portfolio is housed here: jeannettekart.com

​

I have worked as a childcare provider for over ten years working with children from 6 months to 8 years old and I am a mom to a vivacious four year old girl.

​

In addition to English, I am fluent in Spanish and Hebrew.

Achievements/Interests:

• Biology, psychology, and pre-vet student

• A second mom to my little brother (10 years difference)

• Experienced children educator at a Montessori pre-k school

• Event organizer and outreach specialist for an animal advocacy non-profit organization

• Translator and interpreter in Spanish and English

• Completed various seminars on wildlife rehabilitation at South Florida Wildlife Center

• Volunteer at Tamerlaine Farm Animal Sanctuary

VICTORIA M. LAGARDERA

Teacher

As an honor student majoring in biology, psychology, and pre-vet medicine, one could make a good guess and say I enjoy science.  But most people don’t ask how, or where, my passion for learning began.  The answer is nature.  I don’t really remember the first time that I was lost immersed in admiration by its wonders, because to me, it seems they were always there.

Having born in Uruguay, a very small country by the Atlantic Ocean, way to the south in South America, I had the opportunity to be raised exploring and experiencing nature’s marvels every day while still immersed in the capital city of the country.  My childhood memories are my most precious treasures, from the long walks after a storm that my mom took us on, searching for and rescuing baby birds that had fallen from their nests; to playing in the mud with my rescued wild boar, Inos; or jumping between rocks at the beach and observing how anemones close when you touch them. 

​

I was taught to respect all life, and even save jellyfish who were stuck in the sand at the beach.  I learned to connect with animals as individuals, to understand them in their own ways, and to rescue and rehabilitate them.  I learned to sail boats, climb trees, and developed a deep curiosity for the world around me and how things work.  I learned how intertwined science, art, and even empathy are with the natural world, and how important it is for humans to have a deep connection with our planet.  But the greatest lesson is the immense respect and compassion that I developed for our planet and its inhabitants; as well as the awareness that our actions as free willed individuals may and do affect this wonderful world and all of us living in it.  I feel very deeply within me that it is imperative that in today’s world, where parents have to work long hours and may be tired and busy when they get home, kids can get their brains out of the screens and are able to experience nature in their daily lives first hand: touching, smelling, feeling, talking, painting, exploring, interacting, and laughing.

​

I’m convinced that spending time in nature, especially when we are young, is the way that new generations will be able to develop the love, respect and compassion that the world needs.  Because otherwise, how could we love something that we don’t know?  I really believe that this time has an immense impact in our respect for the planet and fellow earthlings; as well as in fostering our creativity, curiosity, and our physical and mental health.

Achievements/Interests:

• Teachers Aid experience at All Angels Learning Center in Virginia

• Lead teacher experience at The Primron in Maryland

• Completed a Child Growth and Development, along with a Core knowledge on special needs course at Howard Community College

• Currently learning Spanish

• Animal and wilderness lover

• Loves to cook and eat healthy

CHRISTINE WILLIAMS

Substitute Teacher

I was raised in New Jersey by a strong, independent and loving single mother, and two doting grandmas. It was in high school that I was first ever introduced to the idea of working with children when I took a course that broadened my mind when it came to a child and their growing minds. My first venture raising a child came soon after, when my sister had to be deployed soon after giving birth. This journey took me to Virginia and Maryland where I got into child care at a professional level.

My first experience in the field was as a teacher's aid working with multiple children ranging from 1 to 4 years old. I learned a lot about balance, teamwork and communication. Moving to Maryland gave me the opportunity to advance as I took a more challenging position as a lead teacher. Though it meant more responsibilities, it became a passionate role to wake up to. Different settings and roles with children have helped me connect with the educational process which is unique in every child.

Moving back north now starting a new life in New York where life seems faster, I notice how critical it is for children to slow down and connect with the nature around them and play at their pace. The way Kew Kids tries to foster a relationship with nature in a child growing up in this busy city really inspires me to find more innovative ways to nourish each little mind. I strongly believe every child shapes the future, and it is important that our future is filled with more love for nature and our Earth.